(A) Applications. A property owner who seeks a short-term/vacation rental license pursuant to this subchapter shall submit a written application that contains all information required for a registration statement pursuant to this subchapter.
(B) The applicant must sign an affidavit affirming that the applicant will abide by all the rules and regulations governing short-term rental/vacation.
(C) Primary residence.
(1) The short-term/vacation rental shall be the owner’s primary residence. An applicant must be able to demonstrate that the applicant resided at the property for nine of the past 12 months, or that the applicant plans to live in the property for nine of the next 12 months.
(2) Evidence of primary residence shall include, but not be limited to an adequate showing of the following:
(a) Utility bill.
(b) Voter registration.
(c) Motor vehicle registration.
(d) Deed.
(e) Driver's license or state-issued identification.
(D) The use must be accessory to a residential unit occupied by the owner of the property for at least nine months a year.
(E) No license shall be issued to or renewed for property that is in violation of city building codes, property maintenance codes or fire codes;
(F) No license shall be issued to or renewed for an applicant who has had repeated violations or has current violations of city building codes, property maintenance codes or fire codes with respect to any other property in the city that the applicant owns or operates.
(G) No license shall be issued to or renewed for an applicant who currently owes the city directly or in any representative capacity any fee, utility payment or tax, including the hotel tax, that is currently past due.
(H) The application shall include the following information regarding the premises:
(1) A site drawing showing any required parking places or area to accommodate guests.
(2) Interior drawing or plan showing location of sleeping room, bathroom facilities, smoke and CO detectors, and exit paths.
(3) The number of sleeping rooms and bathroom facilities available in the entire residential unit.
(4) Written confirmation that the owner will not be providing or serving food (other than prepackaged as specifically authorized herein).
(I) Standards and procedures for license approval. The Community Development Department will review all applications for short-term/vacation rentals upon each application with respect to the standards set forth below. The City Administrator after receiving said report, may refer the application back to the Community Development Department for additional review, or, may approve, approve with conditions, or disapprove an application for a short-term/vacation rental license, upon findings of fact with respect to each of the standards set forth below:
(1) The proposed short-term/vacation rental will not cause a negative cumulative effect when its effect is considered in conjunction with the effect of other short-term/vacation rental in the immediate neighborhood. Short -term/vacation rentals will not be located within 1500 feet of another short-term/vacation rental.
(2) The short-term/vacation rental will not have a substantial adverse impact on the use, enjoyment, or property values of adjoining properties. Rentals cannot be operated in violation of Chapter 96 "Chronic Nuisance Properties" of the Oak Forest Municipal Code.
(3) The proposed short-term/vacation rental will comply with all the rules and regulations contained herein.
(4) The proposed short-term/vacation rental shall comply with the following criteria:
(a) No rental or advertisement for rental for a period of time shorter than 24 hours.
(b) No rental may provide for food or beverage to any guests with the exception of pre-packaged food and drink.
(c) A license may be issued only for one short-term/vacation rental business located at a fixed and certain place and any areas contiguous thereto. Any person who desires to operate more than one short-term/vacation rental business must have a license for each location.
(J) Renewal. Every renewal application shall satisfy all requirements set forth in this subchapter.
(K) License fee. The annual fee for a license issued pursuant to this subchapter shall be $50.
(L) If the applicant is not a resident of Cook County at the time of the filing of the application, the applicant shall designate an agent officed or with a residence in Cook County who shall be authorized to receive notices and service of process under the terms of these provisions for short-term/vacation rental in Chapter 117.
(M) Regardless of its findings on any or all of the foregoing standards, the City Administrator may deny a short-term/vacation rental license upon a finding that such denial is in the public interest.
(Ord. 2023-12-1010O, passed 12-12-2023)