Lake Bluff Seeks Comments On Proposed Strict New 'Airbnb' Restrictions

LAKE BLUFF, IL — An ordinance to strictly regulate short-term rentals is up for discussion in Lake Bluff. A public hearing will be held on the proposal Wednesday before the village's Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals.

The campaign to ban, or at least severely restrict, residents from renting out rooms or their homes on AirBnB and other short-term listing sites began after residents voiced concerns that four local properties were listed on the site.

Under the new rules, those who wish to rent out up to five rooms for less than a month must seek a special-use permit from the board and follow an extensive list of regulations, as compiled for the Daily North Shore.

The proposed new rules include:

• A property with a special-use permit for short-term rentals must be more than 1,000 feet from any other property with such a permit.
• No more than two adults will be allowed in a bedroom.
• The owner must provide insurance.
• Each property must have one parking space per bedroom.
• You can only rent out rooms in your "primary residence."
• You must notify all other residents within 500 feet.
• You must stay in the house while short-term tenants are staying there.

There are two rival groups of Lake Bluff residents gathering petitions on the subject, according to Daily North Shore. Opponents of the ordinance have portrayed it as a matter of property rights and freedom, while those pushing for the new rules fear disruptive outsiders and threats to their property values from what they describe as "hotels" in their neighborhood.

The meeting is set for 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 21, in the Village Hall Board Room at 40 East Center Avenue.

Find the complete draft ordinance below (as well as some portions of the Illinois Bed and Breakfast Act that it would apply to short-term rentals.)

Lake Bluff Draft Short-Term Rental Ordinance by Jonah Meadows on Scribd

Top photo: Lake Bluff Village Hall | via Patch file