‘It doesn’t belong’: Des Plaines officials want rules for short-term rentals

Following complaints about loud music, unruly guests and other problems, a crackdown on short-term rental properties may be coming to Des Plaines.

City council members on Monday informally directed administrators to develop regulations for such businesses, which typically advertise through digital platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo.

The request followed a lengthy discussion that included testimony from residents who described neighborhoods littered with beer bottles and plastic cups left by partygoers at such a house in the 4th Ward. One woman recalled watching people exit the house during a party to vomit in a nearby park as children played.

“The word ‘respect’ is lost when they use a house for an Airbnb,” 4th Ward Alderman Dick Sayad said. “Who suffers? The neighbors around them.”

Des Plaines officials have publicly discussed regulating short-term rentals several times, but no plan has been adopted.

Current Des Plaines ordinances don't distinguish between traditional home rentals and those offered for short-term stays.

Property owners must purchase annual licenses to rent out houses or condominiums in Des Plaines. An entire residential unit must be available as a single rental, according to city code; room rentals are prohibited.

Four council members on Monday indicated they favor regulating short-term rentals: the 2nd Ward’s Colt Moylan, the 3rd Ward’s Sean Oserka, the 7th Ward’s Patsy Smith and the 8th Ward’s Mike Charewicz.

Sayad and the 6th Ward’s Mark Walsten indicated they’d prefer banning short-term rentals.

“It doesn’t belong in a residential neighborhood,” Walsten said.

The 1st Ward’s Margaret Chlebek and the 5th Ward’s Thomas Merlin were absent.

Moylan, who acknowledged he formerly operated a short-term rental business at a residential property, said he doesn’t want to overregulate such operations. They make up a small percentage of the total homes available for rent in Des Plaines, he said.

Regardless of whether a dedicated ordinance is created, Police Chief Dave Anderson urged residents to call 911 if problems arise at short-term rentals in their neighborhoods. Officers will document problems and pass reports onto city hall if needed.

Rental licenses can be suspended or revoked if problems persist, said Jeff Rogers, the city’s community and economic development director.

Restrictions or bans on short-term rentals are on the books in Bloomingdale, Palatine, Roselle, Rosemont, Schaumburg, Vernon Hills and other suburbs.

A video recording of Monday’s discussion is available online at desplainesil.gov.