Chicago vs Park City

Illinois Legal but Limited | Utah Legal with Permit

Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.

Chicago, Illinois
Status Legal but Limited
Permit Fee $250 annual registration fee
Tax Rate 10.5% combined city tax (4.5% Hotel Accommodations + 6% Shared Housing Surcharge) + 1% Cook County
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $1,500–$5,000 per offense; each day is a separate offense
Park City, Utah
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee $149 administrative fee + $28.74/bedroom (annual)
Tax Rate ~8.6% combined (state + local sales + 1% municipal TRT + 0.32% state TRT)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine Daily fines per violation; license revocation for repeat offenses

Park City has more favorable STR regulations overall.

Permits & Licensing

Chicago charges $250 annual registration fee for STR licensing, while Park City charges $149 administrative fee + $28.74/bedroom (annual). Chicago renewal is annual, and Park City renewal is annual. Overall, Park City has a more permissive regulatory environment (Legal with Permit) compared to Chicago (Legal but Limited).

Tax Obligations

In Chicago, hosts pay 10.5% combined city tax (4.5% Hotel Accommodations + 6% Shared Housing Surcharge) + 1% Cook County. In Park City, hosts pay ~8.6% combined (state + local sales + 1% municipal TRT + 0.32% state TRT). Both cities benefit from automatic platform tax collection through Airbnb and similar services, simplifying compliance for hosts.

Day Limits & Restrictions

Neither city imposes an annual day limit on short-term rentals, giving hosts year-round flexibility.

Fines & Enforcement

Hosts operating without a permit in Chicago face penalties including $1,500–$5,000 per offense; each day is a separate offense. In Park City, violations can result in Daily fines per violation; license revocation for repeat offenses. Both cities actively enforce their STR regulations, so securing proper licensing before listing is essential in either market.

Chicago Overview

Must be host's primary residence; buildings with 5+ units limited to no more than 6 STR units; Restricted Residential Zones and Prohibited Buildings List apply. $1M commercial general liability insurance required.

Contact: Dept. of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection — (312) 744-6060

Full Chicago guide →

Park City Overview

Nightly Rental License required; only certain zones allow STRs (e.g., Old Town, Canyons Village). Areas like Prospector and Meadows Estates prohibit nightly rentals. Must pass building inspection and designate 24/7 local contact.

Contact: Park City Finance Department — (435) 615-5231

Full Park City guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Chicago or Park City?
Chicago is classified as "Legal but Limited" while Park City is "Legal with Permit." Chicago's permit fee is $250 annual registration fee compared to $149 administrative fee + $28.74/bedroom (annual) in Park City. Overall, Park City has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Chicago or Park City?
Chicago charges 10.5% combined city tax (4.5% Hotel Accommodations + 6% Shared Housing Surcharge) + 1% Cook County, while Park City charges ~8.6% combined (state + local sales + 1% municipal TRT + 0.32% state TRT).
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Chicago: $1,500–$5,000 per offense; each day is a separate offense. Park City: Daily fines per violation; license revocation for repeat offenses. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Chicago and Park City have day limits for Airbnb?
Chicago has no annual day limit. Park City has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Chicago or Park City?
For new hosts, consider the total cost of entry: Chicago charges $250 annual registration fee for permits with 10.5% combined city tax (4.5% Hotel Accommodations + 6% Shared Housing Surcharge) + 1% Cook County in taxes. Park City charges $149 administrative fee + $28.74/bedroom (annual) with ~8.6% combined (state + local sales + 1% municipal TRT + 0.32% state TRT). Automatic tax collection in Chicago and Park City makes compliance easier for beginners.