La Grange's Message To Airbnb Operators: Nope

LA GRANGE, IL – In recent years, the village of La Grange has informed property owners they cannot use their homes as short-term rentals such as Airbnbs.

In 2023, La Grange sent a warning to the owner of the house at 68 S. Kensington Ave. The year before, one was sent to the home at 205 E. Harris Ave.

Through a public records request, Patch asked for the village's last three notices to short-term rental operators. The village provided the two most recent messages, but said it lacked the software to track the previous ones.

One owner used the Airbnb site, while the other went with Guest Nest.

In both cases, La Grange notified the owners of their alleged violations and that inspections were planned.

Unlike some towns, La Grange doesn't specifically ban short-term rentals. Rather, it interprets its code as only allowing "single-family attached dwellings" in the neighborhoods where the short-term rentals were. That use and no other, the village contends, is permitted as of right.

The village says special-use permits are needed for property owners to offer short-term rentals. Last week, the Village Board issued the first such permit for a La Grange businessman who plans rentals on the second floor of a downtown building. Officials said such accommodations are needed in that area.