Airbnb Rule Hurts Darien Family, Council Told

DARIEN, IL – Darien officials were asked this week to lift the city's rule limiting Airbnbs and other short-term rentals.

Two years ago, the City Council unanimously voted for a prohibition on renting homes for less than 30 days.

At Monday's council meeting, Darien resident Laura Chucri said she owns two properties where she offers short-term rentals.

"It's a secondary income for the family," she said.

Since the local regulation took effect, her family has seen an 83 percent drop in occupancy, Chucri said.

Aldermen took the action in 2023 following complaints that Airbnbs were causing problems in local neighborhoods, with some places becoming party houses.

But Chucri said her family takes a close look at potential renters.

"Every guest who has gone onto our properties has been vetted," she said. "We are not just taking everyone. We're taking five-star-rated individuals. We're bringing in the best of the best tourists."

Mayor Joseph Marchese said Chucri made a good case in that she only allows high-quality renters.

"Unfortunately, we had to deal with situations where not every property owner was the same as you," the mayor said.

Chucri said she didn't want "a few bad apples ruining it for the rest of us."

But Alderman Joe Kenny said it was more than a few.

Chucri said lawsuits are pending against other towns over short-term rental rules, adding, "We don't want to get to a point where that is where it's headed."

Hinsdale bans short-term rentals that are less than three months. Other towns also have stricter bans than Darien's, according to a Patch survey last year.