Hello Chicago Airbnb Hosts,
I'm in the middle of this process as well for a non-primary residence. I wish to host "shared housing" guests (e.g. Airbnb) at my non-primary residence in Chicago. After submitting the registration application through Airbnb, the City's Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) denied my application. For those of you in the same situation, there are two options:
1. You can apply for a "Commissioner's Adjustment" to waive the denied registration. Here is a link to the application you must submit: http://www.cityofchicago.org/commissioneradjustment and you'll note that you need to notify neighbors and demonstrate community support for your application.
2. You can appeal the BACP's decision to deny your application. I'm hoping not to go this route, as it might incur legal fees and more effort than my Airbnb hobby is worth.
In case anyone is interested, I submitted my application for a "Commissioner's Adjustment" along with a letter addressing the 9 specific points identified in the link above. I also submitted a letter of support from one of my neighbors. But this was not enough, as I received a notification this week that my application was not approved due to (A) not enough community support and (B) not enough proof that I notified neighbors. After three rounds of communication with the BACP, I now understand that I need to (a) demonstrate broader community support for my application and (b) provide written proof that I notified both of my immediate neighbors.
I have been unable to get a straight answer about what exactly is required to demonstrate "community support", but I'm getting the sense that I need to organize a neighborhood petition and collect many signatures to satisfy this requirement. This seems unduly burdensome and inappropriate since the use of my home to host guests is such a narrow concern rather than something that I would expect to garner broad community support. It also upsets me that uncertainty persists around this issue. For those trying to be good citizens and do the right thing, there shouldn't be so much uncertainty about how to comply with this City ordinance.
Perhaps those of us on this site should form our own petition to get this ordinance reversed, or at least clarified. (Section 4-14-100 of the Municipal Code of Chicago)
Happy hosting!