Tinley Tightens Rules On Airbnb-Style Short-Term Rentals

TINLEY PARK, IL — Residents looking to rent rooms Airbnb-style face new restrictions in Tinley Park.

The board of trustees put teeth in local ordinances Tuesday night by limiting short-term rentals to owner-occupied units. The owner also must buy an annual license for $50, and the residence must pass safety inspections before the license will be approved. Applicants cannot have outstanding village debts or violations. The license can now be revoked and residents will be fined.

The move comes as villages nationwide struggle to manage the proliferation of short-term rentals in residential areas — many of which are not without their problems. Last November, Tinley police responded to complaints at a home in the 19700 block of Summerhill Court, where a wedding party featured drums, bagpipes and a horse paraded down the street. About 40 cars and a livestock vehicle blocked a cul-de-sac and hydrants. No arrests were made.

It was the second high-profile incident involving a short-term rental, and led to Tuesday night's changes.