The city of Evanston is considering an ordinance to tighten regulations on short term residential rentals being rented for less than 29 days by classifying them as a subcategory of a bed and breakfast, but the proposal could end up impacting all property owners.

In a column for the Chicago Tribune, Illinois Association of REALTORS® local Government Affairs Director Howard Handler writes about the unintended consequences of the proposal, which is expected to go before the Evanston Planning and Development Committee on May 28.

Originally aimed at regulating a local property that has been regularly rented for just days at a time, the proposed ordinance could make it harder for other property owners, who because of financial or other issues, want to rent out their property out for less than 29 days.

“Most homeowners don’t anticipate renting their property on a short term basis, but if the need arises, the owner should not have to plead their case to city staff for permission to do so. Evanston may have a need to regulate those running quasi-hotels out of their home, which have been the source of some complaints, but the city should leave the rest of Evanston property owners free of additional, unnecessary regulation,” Handler writes.

Handler is the IAR local Government Affairs Director (GAD) representing North Shore-Barrington Association of REALTORS® and Lake County for the Mainstreet Organization of REALTORS®.