Buffalo Grove, ILBuffalo Grove

All residential properties that are rented are required to obtain an annual rental license. These properties includes, but are not limited to:

apartment complexes	coach homes
condominiums	duplexes
row homes	townhomes
single-family homes

It is the property owner’s responsibility to participate in all three parts of the program which include:

• Applying for a rental license; 
• Annually renewing the residential license; and 
• Notifying the Village of change in rental license information.

All new property owners and/or new rental properties must obtain a residential rental license. 
Process:

• Application and fee. Before the rental property is listed to lease, the property owner must submit the following items.
  • Residential Rental License Application
  • Annual License Fee - $85

• Schedule an initial inspection. 
  • Property owner or tenant must schedule an initial inspection within 30 days of the Village’s receipt of application and fee. 
  • Please review the Rental Property Checklist below, which details some of the items inspectors will be examining.:
    • Single Family Home Rental Property Checklist
    • Multi-Family Home Rental Property Checklist

• Issuance of Annual Rental License. 
  • Once property passes inspection, an annual rental license is emailed to the property owner. This license must be renewed before January 1st of every year.

Failure to schedule inspections and obtain a rental license may result in higher fees and/or citations

Property owners that have an existing rental license must renew by January 1st of each calendar year. 

• Receive renewal notices. The Village emails renewal notices to the property owner during the fourth quarter of the calendar year. 

• Submit renewal application and fee. Before December 31st, property owner must submit:
  • Residential Rental License Application 
  • License Fee: $85
• Late fees:
  •  Renewal applications and fees that are received after December 31st are subject to a late fee in addition to the registration fee. A late fee of:
    • $85 will be charged if the license fee is paid between January 1st and February 1st
    • $170 will be charged if the license fee is paid after February 1st

• Schedule inspection if required that calendar year.
  • Inspections shall be performed at least every other year provided that the number of violations found on the premises equals three or less. If the number of violations found on the premises equals four or more, the premises must be inspected within the next 12-month period.
    • Example #1: A rental property is inspected during year 1 and found to have no violations. For year 2, the annual license fee must be paid, but an inspection will not be required until year 3.
    • Example #2: A rental property is inspected during year 1 and found to have 2 violations. The violations are corrected, the reinspection fee paid, and the reinspection is approved. For year 2, the annual license fee must be paid , but an inspection will not be required until year 3.
    • Example #3: A rental property is inspected during year 1 and found to have 4 violations. The violations are corrected, the reinspection fee paid, and the reinspection is approved. For year 2, the annual license fee must be paid and an inspection will be required. If year 2's inspection has three or less violations, the annual license fee must be paid for year 3, but an inspection will not be required again until year 4.
  • Any violations found must be in compliance, reinspection fee paid, and a reinspection scheduled within the timeframe set by the Village inspector, typically no longer than 30 days.
  • IMPORTANT: The annual license fee must be paid every year, regardless of whether or not an inspection is required that year.

• Issuance of Annual Rental License. The annual rental license is emailed to the property owner.

Property owners must notify the Village of any changes in the rental license information. 

• Notification of changes.  Changes include contact address, phone number, email as well as a change of ownership. A change in ownership requires a new residential rental license.  For a change in contact information, please contact the Village via email or 847-459-2530.

The Village has received multiple questions concerning tourist homes such as Airbnb or VRBO. Pursuant to Village Code, they are not permitted. Specifically, Section 17.12.285 C of the Buffalo Grove Zoning Ordinance states that “tourist homes” are prohibited. While the Village recognizes that such tourist homes may be marketed online, the Village is unable to proactively enforce those units being marketed as the specific property address is not listed until such time that a reservation is confirmed.

Furthermore, while homes may come up within the Buffalo Grove area, the exact location is an approximate and may or may not be within the Village limits of Buffalo Grove. If you have a concern regarding a specific property in Buffalo Grove that may be operating as a tourist home, please Report a Concern and a Village staff member will follow up.