Chicago vs Santa Fe
Illinois Legal but Limited | New Mexico Legal but Limited
Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.
| Requirement | Chicago, Illinois | Santa Fe, New Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| Legality Status | Legal but Limited | Legal but Limited |
| Permit Fee | $250 annual registration fee | $100 one-time application + $325/year permit and business license |
| Tax Rate | 10.5% combined city tax (4.5% Hotel Accommodations + 6% Shared Housing Surcharge) + 1% Cook County | ~8.44% gross receipts tax + 7.1% lodgers' tax |
| Annual Day Limit | No limit | No limit |
| Renewal Interval | Annual | Annual |
| Platform Remits Taxes | Yes | Yes |
| Max Fine Example | $1,500–$5,000 per offense; each day is a separate offense | Up to $500/day for operating without permit |
| Verdict | Both cities have comparable STR regulatory environments. | |
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
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Status Legal but Limited
Permit Fee $100 one-time application + $325/year permit and business license
Tax Rate ~8.44% gross receipts tax + 7.1% lodgers' tax
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine Up to $500/day for operating without permit
Both cities have comparable STR regulatory environments.
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.
Full Chicago guide →Santa Fe Overview
Residential zone STRs capped at 1,000 citywide permits; one per person; must be 50+ feet from another STR. Rentals limited to once per 7-day period (except Nov 15–Jan 15). Local operator must respond within 1 hour.
Full Santa Fe guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Is it easier to Airbnb in Chicago or Santa Fe?
Chicago is classified as "Legal but Limited" while Santa Fe is "Legal but Limited." Chicago's permit fee is $250 annual registration fee compared to $100 one-time application + $325/year permit and business license in Santa Fe.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Chicago or Santa Fe?
Chicago charges 10.5% combined city tax (4.5% Hotel Accommodations + 6% Shared Housing Surcharge) + 1% Cook County, while Santa Fe charges ~8.44% gross receipts tax + 7.1% lodgers' tax. Compare the full breakdown in the table above.
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Chicago: $1,500–$5,000 per offense; each day is a separate offense. Santa Fe: Up to $500/day for operating without permit.