Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2-O-26, Amending Title 5 Chapter 9 Vacation Rentals - FINAL Approved Version 02.23.26 1/12/2026 2-O-26 AN ORDINANCE Amending Title 5, Chapter 9 of the Evanston City Code “Vacation Rentals” WHEREAS, the conversion of traditional rental units to non-owner occupied short-term, or vacation, rentals decreases the availability of rental units and affordable housing for permanent residents of the City of Evanston; and WHEREAS, the licensing of short-term rentals and the application of standards for the approval of such licenses will allow for the availability of some short - term rentals but diminish the negative effect of those rentals on the availability of rental units and affordable housing for the residents of the City of Evanston; and WHEREAS, the Evanston City Council has determined that amending Title 5, Chapter 9 regarding “Vacation Rentals” is in the best interest of the City; BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EVANSTON, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS: SECTION 1: Title 5, Chapter 9 “Vacation Rentals” of the Evanston City Code of 2012, as amended, is hereby further amended as follows: CHAPTER 9 VACATION SHORT-TERM RENTALS 5-9-1. PURPOSE. The purpose of this Chapter is to promote the public health, safety, and welfare by licensing the operation of vacation rentals within the City of Evanston. 5-9-2. DEFINITIONS. For the purposes of administering this Chapter, the following definition(s) shall apply: 2-O-26 ~ 2 ~ VACATION SHORT-TERM RENTAL: A dwelling unit or portion thereof offered for rent for a period shorter than thirty (30) consecutive days to any person(s) other than a member of the owner's family household, as those terms are defined in Section 6-18-3 of this Code. The term "vacation short- term rental" shall not include hotels or motels, licensed pursuant to Title 3, Chapter 2 of this Code, lodging establishments shared housing providers, licensed pursuant to Title 5, Chapter 2 of this Code, bed and breakfast establishments, licensed pursuant to Title 8, Chapter 19 of this Code, and/or home sharing in accord with Subsection 6-4-1-14-(B) of this Code, or housing subsidized by the City or other affordable housing providers. fixed lease and month-to- month rentals, registered pursuant to Title 5, Chapter 8 of this Code, or rental agreements executed pursuant to or in conjunction with a contract to sell the dwelling unit containing the short -term rental. SHORT-TERM RESIDENTIAL RENTAL INTERMEDIARY A person or entity who, for compensation or a fee, uses an internet platform to connect guests with short-term residential rental providers, and who primarily lists short-term rental units on its platform. 5-9-3. LICENSE REQUIRED; LICENSE TERM; EXEMPTIONS. (A) It shall be unlawful to operate a vacation short-term rental within the City of Evanston without a current, valid Short-Term Rental License issued pursuant to the terms of this Chapter. (B) It shall be unlawful to list or advertise as available for rental a short -term rental unit within the City of Evanston without a current, valid Short-Term Residential Rental Intermediary License issued pursuant to the terms of this Chapter. (C) Each license issued pursuant to this Chapter shall be valid for one (1) year from the date of issuance, subject to renewal per Section 4 7 of this Chapter. (C) Subsection (A) of this Section notwithstanding, no license shall be required to operate a vacation rental for no more than one (1) rental period per dwelling unit per twelve-month period for: 1. Any dwelling unit; 2. A rental agreement executed pursuant to or in conjunction with a contract to sell the dwelling unit containing the vacation rental; 3. Vacation rental guest(s) who is/are displaced from his/her/their own dwelling unit so that it may be renovated and/or repaired; 4. An operator who will suffer demonstrable hardship. 2-O-26 ~ 3 ~ 5-9-4. SHORT-TERM RESIDENTIAL RENTAL INTERMEDIARY LICENSE. (A) Application. A short-term residential rental intermediary who seeks a license pursuant to this chapter shall submit an application using the method prescribed by the City’s Building and Development Services Manager, or designee. (B) Listing Licensed Rentals. Short-term residential rental intermediaries may only list short-term rental units on their platform which have been duly licensed by the City of Evanston, in accordance with Section 5-9-5 of this code. (C) Taxes. All short-term residential rental intermediaries shall be required to remit the HOTEL-MOTEL, BED AND BREAKFAST ESTABLISHMENTS, AND VACATION RENTAL TAX for each short-term rental unit listed on their platform, in accordance with Section 3-2-4 of this code. (D) Fees. The following fees shall be imposed for application submittal and license issuance: 1. Application Fee. All short-term residential rental intermediaries who seek to submit a license application must submit a non-refundable application fee in the amount established from time to time by action of the City Council. 2. License Fee. The annual fee for a license issued pursuant to this Chapter shall be as established from time to time by action of the City Council. 5-9-5. SHORT-TERM RENTAL LICENSE APPLICATION; NOTICE; STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES; RENEWAL; FEES REQUIREMENTS. (A) Applications. A property owner who seeks a vacation short-term rental license pursuant to this Chapter shall submit a written application that contains all information required for a registration statement pursuant to Chapter 8 of this Title. an application using the method prescribed by the City’s Building and Development Services Manager, or designee. An application will not be accepted from the lessee or manager of a property without written consent from the property’s owner . (B) Notice. Each application shall be accompanied by proof the applicant mailed notice thereof to all owners, whose addresses appear on the current tax assessment list, of real property located within a radius of two hundred fifty (250) feet of the subject property, inclusive of public streets, alleys and other public ways. The notice shall contain the applicant's name, the address of the subject property, the matter under consideration, and the date, time, and location of the relevant meeting of the Planning and Development Committee. (C) Property Inspection. The dwelling unit must be inspected by City staff pursuant to this Chapter prior to administrative or City Council review of application for vacation rental. 2-O-26 ~ 4 ~ (D) Standards and Procedures for License Approval. If a vacation rental license is not for the owner's primary residence then the Planning and Development Committee will review the application for vacation rental and will report to the City Council upon each application with respect to the standards set forth below. The City Council after receiving said report, may refer the application back to that body for additional review, or, by motion, may approve, approve with conditions, or disapprove, an application for a vacation rental license, upon findings of fact with respect to each of the standards set forth below: 1. The proposed vacation rental will not cause a negative cumulative effect when its effect is considered in conjunction with the effect of other vacation rentals in the immediate neighborhood. 2. The vacation rental will not have a substantial adverse impact on the use, enjoyment, or property values of adjoining properties. 3. The proposed vacation rental will comply with all the rules and regulations contained herein. 4. The proposed vacation rental is not likely to have an adverse effect upon the public health, welfare, or safety. Regardless of its finding on any or all of the foregoing standards, the City Council may deny a vacation rental license upon a finding that such denial is in the public interest. If a property owner seeks a vacation rental license for the owner's primary residence then staff will review application for vacation rental. If the owner of the unit is on active military duty, the affidavit shall include a statement attesting to such fact and to whether the owner has appointed a designated agent or employee to manage, control and reside in the unit during such owner's absence while on military duty. (E) Renewal. If a vacation rental license was issued for the prior year, the approval for a renewal license shall be obtained from the City Manager or his/her designee, provided the previously-issued license was not revoked or suspended, and the vacation rental did not receive citation(s) from any City Inspector or Police Officer during said prior calendar year. Every renewal application shall satisfy all requirements set forth in Section 4 of this Chapter. (F) Fees. The following fees shall be imposed for application submittal and licensing fees: 1. Application Fee. All property owners who seek to submit a Vacation Rental application must submit a nonrefundable application fee of two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00). 2. License Fee. The annual fee for a license issued pursuant to this Chapter shall be one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00). (B) Property Manager and Authorized Agent. Applications for all properties shall include the following information: 2-O-26 ~ 5 ~ 1. Property Manager. The name, street address, telephone number, and e-mail address of the owner's agent for the purpose of managing the property, including responding to communications from City, Health, Fire, and Police personnel, and communicating with occupants in case of emergency. The person or company designated as the property manager must reside within, or maintain a working office within, three (3) miles of the City of Evanston. An owner who meets the requirements of this subsection may designate themself as the property manager. 2. Authorized Agent. The name, street address, telephone number, and e-mail address of a natural person twenty-one (21) years of age or older, designated by the owner as the authorized agent for receiving notices of City Code violations and for receiving process, in any court proceeding or administrative enforcement proceeding, on behalf of such owner in connection with the enforcement of the City Code. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this person may be between eighteen (18) and twenty-one (21) years of age provided that the application includes proof that said person has a valid realtor's license issued pursuant to the Illinois Real Estate License Act, 225 ILCS 454-1-1 et seq., as amended. This person must maintain an office in Cook County, Illinois, or must actually reside within Cook County, Illinois. An owner who is a natural person and who meets the requirements of this Subsection as to location of residence or office may designate themself as the agent. (C) Property Inspection. The dwelling unit(s) must be inspected by City staff pursuant to this Chapter prior to review of the application. (D) Fees. The following fees shall be imposed for application submittal and license issuance: 3. Application Fee. All property owners who seek to submit a short-term rental license application must submit a non-refundable application fee in the amount established from time to time by action of the City Council. 4. License Fee. The annual fee for a license issued pursuant to this Chapter shall be as established from time to time by action of the City Council. (E) Prohibited in Affordable Housing. Rent-restricted units, or housing subsidized by the City or other affordable housing providers, shall not be allowed to operate as short - term rentals. 5-9-6. REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS. STANDARDS FOR LICENSE APPROVAL. (A) No vacation rental operator shall: 1. Rent or lease any vacation rental for any period of time shorter than twenty- four (24) consecutive hours; 2-O-26 ~ 6 ~ 2. Rent or lease any vacation rental more than once within any consecutive twenty-four (24) hour period measured from the commencement of one rental to the commencement of the next; 3. Advertise an hourly rate or any other rate for a vacation rental based on a rental period of fewer than twenty-four (24) consecutive hours; and/or 4. Serve or otherwise provide any food or beverage to any guest. 5. Cause or permit, by action or failure to act, the vacation rental or its use to suffer from and/or create any violation of the following portions of the City Code: Title 4, "Building Regulations"; Title 5, "Housing Regulations"; Title 6, "Zoning"; Title 8, "Health and Sanitation"; or Title 9, "Public Safety." (B) Every vacation rental shall be subject to inspection by staff members of the City's Fire, Health, and Community and Economic Development Departments. (C) Every vacation rental operation shall include in any listing the following information about the vacation rental: (A) the licensee's cancellation and check-in and check- out policies; (B) a statement on: (i) whether the vacation rental is wheelchair or ADA accessible; (ii) whether the vacation rental has any parking availability or neighborhood parking restrictions; and (iii) the availability of, or restrictions on, the use of any recreational facilities or other amenities applicable to guests; and (C) a description of the vacation rental, including the number of sleeping rooms and bathrooms; and (D) the City of Evanston license number. (D) Every vacation rental operator shall keep a register in which shall be entered the name of every guest and his/her arrival and departure dates. The operator shall make said register freely accessible to any officer of the City's Police, Fire, Health, and/or Community and Economic Development Departments. (E) Every vacation rental operator shall ensure that the vacation rental is in compliance with current State and local regulations regarding the installation and maintenance of functioning smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. (F) Every vacation rental operator shall post, in a conspicuous place within the vacation rental: 1. The name and telephone number of the operator's authorized agent identified pursuant to Code Subsection 5-8-3(A)2; 2. An evacuation diagram inside entrance door identifying all means of egress from the vacation rental and the building in which the vacation rental is located; 3. A current copy of the listing; 4. A current copy of vacation rental license; 5. The schedule of, or restriction on, street cleaning and street snow removal. If the property is subject to restrictions imposed by a homeowners association or board of director then the owner shall post an attestation that the homeowners association or board of directors has not adopted bylaws prohibiting the use of the dwelling unit identified in the license application as a vacation rental or 2-O-26 ~ 7 ~ shared housing unit, or that restricts rentals for a period of time less than thirty (30) days, in any combination. (G) Any kitchen in a vacation rental shall be cleaned and sanitized between guests and all food and beverages shall be discarded. All dishes, utensils, pots, pans and other cooking utensils shall be cleaned and sanitized between guests. A recycling container must be accessible to guests. (H) The operator of every vacation rental shall change supplied bed linens and towels therein at least once each week, and prior to the letting of any room to any new guest. The operator shall be responsible for the maintenance of all supplied bedding in a clean and sanitary manner. (A) Number of Short-Term Rentals. The number of short-term rental licenses allowed within the City shall be limited to one per hundred (1:100) long-term rental units registered pursuant to Title 5, Chapter 8 of this code. (B) Standards. All short-term rental license applications shall be evaluated according to the standards set forth below: 1. The proposed short-term rental will not cause a negative cumulative effect, when its effect is considered in conjunction with the cumulative effect of other short - term rentals on the immediate neighborhood and on the City as a whole. 2. The proposed short-term rental must pass an inspection based on the City’s adopted Property Maintenance Code, or remedy any violations found in such inspection prior to license issuance. 3. The proposed short-term rental must be in compliance with all the rules and regulations contained in this chapter. 4. The proposed short-term rental must not have been declared a “nuisance premises” within the last five (5) years, as defined in section 9 -5-4 of the City code. (C) Review. License applications shall be reviewed by City staff for compliance with the standards set forth in this chapter. (D) License Certificate. If a license application is approved pursuant to the standards enumerated in this section, then the City shall issue a short-term rental license certificate to the owner, which shall be valid for one (1) year from the date of issuance. 5-9-7. PENALTY. APPEALS. (A) Any owner, tenant or other person who shall be found to have violated any of the provisions of this Chapter shall be guilty of an offense punishable as follows: 1. The fine for a first violation is two hundred dollars ($200.00). 2. The fine for a second violation is five hundred dollars ($500.00). 3. The fine for a third or subsequent violation is seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00). 2-O-26 ~ 8 ~ (B) Each day a provision of this Chapter is found to have been violated constitutes a separate violation subject to the fine schedule set forth in this Section. (C) Any fines shall be debts due and owing to the City that the City may collect by any means allowed by law, including, but not limited to, filing a lien against the vacation rental or the premises containing the vacation rental. (D) The fines provided for herein shall not be construed as limiting the power of a court of competent jurisdiction or an administrative hearing officer to impose other penalties and/or remedies as provided for by applicable legislation. In addition, a licensee found to have violated any provision of this Chapter may be subject to license revocation, suspension, or nonrenewal. If the applicant for a short-term rental license is denied approval, they may appeal the decision in the manner set forth below: (A) The applicant must submit a written appeal request to the Building and Development Services Manager, or designee. The request should contain the following information: 1. The name, street address, telephone number, and e-mail address of the applicant. 2. The address of the property for which an application for a license was made. 3. The reason(s) given for the denial. 4. An explanation of the reason for the appeal, including the facts supporting the claim that the property meets the requirements and standards set forth in this chapter of the City code. (B) The appellant will be granted a timely hearing before the Planning and Development Committee of the City Council, which committee will then rule on whether to uphold or overturn the original decision. (C) If the decision to deny the license application is upheld, then the applicant must wait a period of one (1) year after the committee’s decision before reapplying for a short-term rental license, if they so choose. 5-9-8. REVOCATION; SUSPENSION; PROCEDURES RENEWAL. (A) The City Manager may revoke or suspend a license issued pursuant to the terms of this Chapter for any of the following reasons: 1. If the owner of the relevant vacation rental or his/her agent violates any of the terms of this Chapter; 2. If the owner of the vacation rental or his/her agent is deemed to have maintained a nuisance premises therein, in violation of Section 9 -5-4 of this Code; 2-O-26 ~ 9 ~ 3. If, pursuant to Title 4, Chapter 16 of the City Code, the Director of Community and Economic Development ("Director") deems the vacation rental, or the premises wherein it is located, to be a vacant building, as defined therein; and/or 4. If the City or other governmental agency condemns the vacation rental or the premises wherein it is located. (B) Not less than fourteen (14) business days prior to a revocation hearing for a license issued pursuant to the terms of this Chapter, the Director shall send, via First Class U.S. mail, a notice of revocation hearing to the owner or his/her authorized agent at the address provided on the most recent license application. Notice shall be sufficient if sent to the address of the authorized agent indicated on the license application. Said notice shall include the following: 1. Description of the vacation rental, sufficient for identification; 2. A statement that the license is subject to revocation; 3. A statement of the reasons for the revocation; 4. The date and time upon which a revocation hearing shall occur; and 5. The location for said revocation hearing. (C) If the Director certifies to the City Manager that he/she has reason to believe that immediate suspension of the license is necessary to prevent the threat of immediate harm to the community, the City Manager may, upon the issuance of a written order stating the reason for such conclusion and without notice or hearing, order the license suspended for not more than seven (7) days. The City Manager may extend the suspension during the pendency of a hearing upon a written determination that doing so is necessary to prevent the aforesaid harm to the community. (D) Hearings shall be conducted by the City Manager in accordance with procedures drafted by the Corporation Counsel. (E) Within ten (10) business days after the close of the hearing, the City Manager shall issue a written decision that shall constitute a final determination for purposes of judicial review pursuant to the Illinois Administrative Review Law, 735 ILCS 5/3-101 et seq., as amended. In reaching a decision, the City Manager may consider any of the following: 1. The nature of the violation; 2. The nature and extent of the harm caused by the licensee's action or failure to act; 3. The factual situation and circumstances surrounding the violation; 4. Whether or not the action or failure to act was willful; 5. The record of the licensee with respect to violations. (F) A licensee whose license has been revoked shall not be eligible to reapply for a new license. 2-O-26 ~ 10 ~ (A) Renewal. If a short-term rental license was issued for the prior year, the property owner may apply to renew their license prior to the expiration of their current license. Approval for renewal shall be obtained from the Building and Development Services Manager, or designee, without requiring compliance with the standard for new applications listed in 5-9-5(B)(1), if each of the following conditions has been met: 1. The HOTEL-MOTEL, BED AND BREAKFAST ESTABLISHMENTS, AND VACATION RENTAL TAX has been paid in accordance with Section 3 -2-4 of this code. 2. The previously-issued license was not revoked or suspended during the most recent license year; 3. The short-term rental has passed an annual inspection based on the City’s adopted Property Maintenance Code, or remedied any violations found in such inspection prior to license renewal. (B) License Renewal Fee/Late Fee. The annual fee for a license issued pursuant to this Chapter shall be as established from time to time by action of the City Council . If an application for renewal is not received prior to the expiration date of the license, then a late fee penalty shall be assessed at the time of renewal in the amount established from time to time by action of the City Council. (C) Failure to Renew. If a licensee fails to renew their license within sixty (60) days of expiration, then the license may not be renewed, and a new license application must be submitted, requiring compliance with all applicable standards at the time of application. Any bookings for dates following sixty (60) days after the expiration of the license shall be subject to penalties pursuant to 5 -9-10. (D) Construction/Renovations. If the dwelling unit(s) are structurally altered during the license year, a new application for a short -term rental license must be submitted and approved before the property may continue operating as such. (F) Ownership Change. If the ownership of a property licensed as a short-term rental changes, and the new owner desires to continue operating the property as a short - term rental, then a new application for a short-term rental license must be submitted. 5-9-9. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS. (A) All short-term rentals must use a licensed Short -term Residential Rental Intermediary to list or advertise as available for rental any short -term rental and remit the taxes for such. (B) No short-term rental operator shall: 1. Rent or lease any short-term rental for any period of time shorter than twenty-four (24) consecutive hours; 2-O-26 ~ 11 ~ 2. Rent or lease any short-term rental more than once within any consecutive twenty-four (24) hour period measured from the commencement of one rental to the commencement of the next; 3. Advertise an hourly rate or any other rate for a short -term rental based on a rental period of fewer than twenty-four (24) consecutive hours; 4. Serve prepared food or beverages to any guest; 5. Cause or permit, by action or failure to act, the short-term rental or its use to suffer from and/or create any violation of the following portions of the City Code: Title 4, "Building Regulations;" Title 5, "Housing Regulations;" Title 6, "Zoning;" Title 8, "Health and Sanitation;" or Title 9, "Public Safety." (C) Every short-term rental shall be subject to inspection by staff members of the City's Fire, Health, and Community Development departments. (D) All short-term rental listings shall include the following information: 1. The licensee's cancellation, check-in, and check-out policies; 2. Statements on: a. Whether the short-term rental is wheelchair or ADA accessible; b. Whether the short-term rental has any parking availability, or if there are any neighborhood parking restrictions; and c. The availability of, or restrictions on, the use of any recreational facilities or other amenities applicable to guests. 3. A description of the short-term rental, including the number of sleeping rooms and bathrooms; 4. The City of Evanston license number. (E) Every short-term rental operator shall keep a register containing the name of all guests, as well as their respective arrival and departure dates. The operator shall make said register freely accessible to any officer of the City's Police, Fire, Health, and/or Community Development Departments. (F) Every short-term rental owner shall ensure that the short-term rental is in compliance with current State and local regulations regarding the installation and maintenance of functioning smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. (G) Every short-term rental operator shall post in a conspicuous place within the short- term rental: 1. The name and telephone number of the property manager identified pursuant to Code Subsection 5-9-5(C)2a; 2. An evacuation diagram inside the entrance door identifying all means of egress from the short-term rental and the building in which the short -term rental is located; 3. A current copy of the short-term license certificate; 2-O-26 ~ 12 ~ 4. The schedule of, or restriction on, street cleaning and street snow removal. 5. If the property is subject to restrictions imposed by a homeowners association or board of directors, then the owner shall post an attestation that the homeowners association or board of directors has not adopted bylaws prohibiting the use of the dwelling unit identified in the license application as a short-term rental or shared housing unit, or that restricts rentals for a period of time less than thirty (30) days. (H) Any kitchen in a short-term rental shall be cleaned and sanitized between guests, and all non-packaged or opened packaged food and unsealed beverages shall be discarded. All dishes, utensils, pots, pans, and other cooking utensils shall be cleaned and sanitized between guests. Garbage and recycling containers must be accessible to guests. (I) The operator of every short-term rental shall change supplied bed linens and towels therein at least once each week, and prior to the letting of any room to any new guest. The operator shall be responsible for the maintenance of all supplied bedding in a clean and sanitary manner. 5-9-10. REVOCATION; PROCEDURES. (A) The City Manager may revoke or suspend a license issued pursuant to the terms of this Chapter for any of the following reasons: 1. If the owner of the short-term rental or their agent is deemed to have maintained a nuisance premises therein, in violation of Section 9-5-4 of this Code; 2. If, pursuant to Title 4, Chapter 16, of the City Code, the Building and Development Services Manager, or designee, deems the short-term rental, or the premises wherein it is located, to be a vacant building, as defined therein; and/or 3. If the City or another governmental agency condemns or determines the short - term rental or the premises wherein it is located is a “dangerous building”, as defined in Title 4, Chapter 12, of the City Code. (B) Not less than fourteen (14) business days prior to a revocation hearing for a license issued pursuant to the terms of this Chapter, the Building and Development Services Manager, or designee, shall send, via First Class U.S. Mail, a notice of revocation hearing to the owner or their authorized agent at the address provided on the most recent license application. Notice shall be sufficient if sent to the address of the authorized agent indicated on the license application. Said notice shall include the following: 1. Description of the short-term rental, sufficient for identification; 2. A statement that the license is subject to revocation; 3. A statement of the reasons for the revocation; 4. The date and time upon which a revocation hearing shall occur; and 5. The location for said revocation hearing. 2-O-26 ~ 13 ~ (C) If the Building and Development Services Manager, or designee certifies to the City Manager that they have reason to believe that immediate suspension of the license is necessary to prevent the threat of immediate harm to the community, the City Manager may, upon the issuance of a written order stating the reason for such conclusion and without notice or hearing, order the license suspended for not more than seven (7) days. The City Manager may extend the suspension during the pendency of a hearing upon a written determination that doing so is necessary to prevent the aforesaid harm to the community. (D) Hearings shall be conducted by the City Manager in accordance with procedures drafted by the Corporation Counsel. (E) Within ten (10) business days after the close of the hearing, the City Manager shall issue a written decision that shall constitute a final determination for purposes of judicial review pursuant to the Illinois Administrative Review Law, 735 ILCS 5/3-101 et seq., as amended. In reaching a decision, the City Manager may consider any of the following: 1. The nature of the violation; 2. The nature and extent of the harm caused by the licensee's action or failure to act; 3. The factual situation and circumstances surrounding the violation; 4. Whether or not the action or failure to act was willful; 5. The record of the licensee with respect to violations. (F) A licensee whose license has been revoked shall not be eligible to reapply for a new license for the same property for a period of at least one (1) year. 5-9-11. PENALTIES. (A) Any owner, tenant, or other person who shall be found to have operated a short - term rental in violation of the provisions of this Chapter shall be guilty of an offense punishable by a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00). (B) Each rental booking constitutes a separate violation subject to the fine schedule set forth in this Section. (C) Any fines shall be debts due and owing to the City that the City may collect by any means allowed by law, including, but not limited to, filing a lien against the short - term rental or the premises containing the short -term rental. (D) The fines provided for herein shall not be construed as limiting the power of a court of competent jurisdiction or an administrative hearing officer to impose other penalties and/or remedies as provided for by applicable legislation. In addition, a licensee found to have violated any provision of this Chapter may be subject to license revocation, suspension, or nonrenewal. SECTION 2: All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are 2-O-26 ~ 14 ~ hereby repealed. SECTION 3: If any provision of this Ordinance 2-O-26 or application thereof to any person or circumstance is held unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of this Ordinance that can be given effect without the invalid application or provision, and each invalid application of this Ordinance is severable. SECTION 4: Ordinance 2-O-26 shall be in full force and effect after its passage and approval. SECTION 5: The findings and recitals contained herein are declared to be prima facie evidence of the law of the City and shall be received in evidence as provided by the Illinois Compiled Statutes and the courts of the State of Illinois. Introduced: _________________, 2026 Adopted: ___________________, 2026 Approved: __________________________, 2026 _______________________________ Daniel Biss, Mayor Attest: _______________________________ Stephanie Mendoza, City Clerk Approved as to form: ______________________________ Alexandra B. Ruggie, Corporation Counsel