Lincoln Park City Council approves short term rental ordinance amendments

The Lincoln Park City Council meeting on July 14, 2025, focused on significant updates regarding housing regulations, particularly concerning short-term rentals. The council unanimously approved an ordinance aimed at clearly prohibiting short-term rentals, also known as lodging houses, in single-family residential districts.

The discussion began with a motion to improve the city's housing stock, which was met with unanimous support from council members. Following this, the council addressed the proposed zoning code text amendment that had been referred to the planning commission earlier in the year. The planning commission held a public hearing on June 11, where no public comments were received, and subsequently recommended the adoption of the amendment to the city council.

The ordinance amendment will revise existing chapters of the city’s codified ordinances to define and restrict lodging houses, which are characterized as buildings rented for short stays. Specifically, the new regulations will limit lodging houses to properties with no more than five guest rooms and will include rentals facilitated through platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo.

This decision reflects the council's commitment to maintaining the integrity of residential neighborhoods while addressing the growing trend of short-term rentals. The ordinance is set to undergo its first and second readings, marking a significant step in the city's efforts to regulate housing and ensure community standards are upheld.