Is Glenview, Illinois Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Glenview, Illinois, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations as Glenview requires short-term rental operators to obtain a business license and comply with the village's municipal code which typically restricts rentals to owner-occupied properties or requires special use permits for non-owner occupied units. Contact the Glenview Village Hall at 2500 East Lake Avenue to obtain the necessary permits, including a business license ($50-100 annually) and potentially a special use permit if your property doesn't meet standard requirements. Find a suitable property in residential zones that allow short-term rentals, focusing on areas near attractions like The Glen shopping center or with easy access to Chicago via Metra North Line stations. Furnish the space with quality furniture, linens, kitchen essentials, and amenities like WiFi, considering Glenview's suburban family-oriented demographic who often seek comfortable, home-like accommodations. Create your listing on Airbnb with professional photos highlighting proximity to Chicago (30 minutes), local attractions, and family-friendly features, pricing competitively around $80-150 per night based on property size and location. Manage your property by establishing check-in procedures, maintaining cleanliness standards, responding promptly to guests, and ensuring compliance with Glenview's noise ordinances and occupancy limits, while also registering for Illinois state taxes and Cook County lodging taxes which typically range from 6-14% combined.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Glenview, Illinois, focus on locations within walking distance of downtown Glenview's shopping and dining district, properties near the Metra North Line stations for easy Chicago access, and homes close to The Glen outdoor shopping center and Kohl Children's Museum. Target 3-4 bedroom single-family homes or condos with modern amenities, parking, outdoor spaces, and updated kitchens that can accommodate families visiting nearby attractions or business travelers commuting to Chicago. Analyze pricing using AirDNA and Mashvisor to benchmark against comparable properties, aiming for nightly rates between $120-200 depending on size and amenities, while calculating potential annual revenue of $35,000-60,000 for well-positioned properties. Research competition by studying existing Airbnb and VRBO listings within 2-3 miles, identifying gaps in amenities or pricing, and monitoring occupancy rates of similar properties through tools like AllTheRooms and Transparent. Utilize Glenview-specific resources including the Village of Glenview's zoning regulations and short-term rental ordinances, partner with local property management companies like Awning or RedAwning for market insights, and leverage the Glenview Chamber of Commerce for understanding seasonal demand patterns driven by corporate relocations to nearby companies like Allstate, Aon, and other North Shore businesses.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Glenview, Illinois, you must first contact the Glenview Community Development Department at Village Hall located at 2500 East Lake Avenue to determine current regulations, as the village has historically restricted short-term rentals in residential zones. If permitted in your zoning district, you'll need to submit an application through the Community Development Department including a completed short-term rental license application, proof of property ownership or lease agreement with landlord consent, certificate of insurance with minimum $1 million liability coverage naming the Village as additional insured, floor plan showing maximum occupancy, parking plan demonstrating adequate off-street parking, and contact information for a local property manager available 24/7. Required fees typically range from $200-500 annually for the license plus inspection fees of approximately $100-150. You must also obtain a business license from the Village Clerk's office for an additional $25-50 fee and register with the Illinois Department of Revenue for state tax collection. The approval process generally takes 4-6 weeks after submitting a complete application, including required inspections for fire safety, building code compliance, and zoning verification. Glenview requires STR operators to maintain guest registries, limit occupancy to 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, provide adequate parking spaces, ensure quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM, and respond to complaints within 2 hours, with properties subject to annual renewal and random compliance inspections.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are currently prohibited in Glenview, Illinois, as the city has maintained a ban on such operations within residential areas since approximately 2018-2019. The Village of Glenview's municipal code specifically restricts the use of residential properties for transient lodging purposes, effectively prohibiting platforms like Airbnb and VRBO from operating legally within city limits. This prohibition applies to all residential zoning districts throughout Glenview, with no designated areas where STRs are permitted. The city has not shown recent signs of reversing this stance, and enforcement has been consistent, with violations subject to fines and legal action. Property owners in Glenview who wish to operate short-term rentals must look to neighboring municipalities with more permissive regulations, as the current legal framework provides no pathway for legal STR operations within the village boundaries.

The most promising Airbnb investment areas in Glenview, Illinois include the neighborhoods near The Glen Town Center and Patriot Boulevard, which attract business travelers due to proximity to major corporations like Allstate's headquarters and Aon's offices, as well as shoppers visiting the upscale outdoor mall with dining and entertainment options. The areas around Glenview Naval Air Station and near the Metra train stations (particularly Glenview and Glen/North Glenview stations) are highly attractive for business travelers commuting to Chicago's Loop, offering convenient 45-minute rail access to downtown. Neighborhoods close to Kohl Children's Museum draw families with young children, while areas near The Grove National Historic Landmark appeal to visitors interested in local history and nature. The residential districts surrounding Attea Middle School and near Glen Grove Elementary benefit from their proximity to top-rated schools, attracting relocating families and educational consultants. Properties near Flick Park and the North Branch Trail system appeal to outdoor enthusiasts and cyclists, while areas close to Chicago Executive Airport serve business travelers using private aviation, making these locations particularly lucrative for short-term rentals targeting corporate guests and weekend visitors exploring the North Shore suburbs.

In Glenview, Illinois, Airbnb hosts are subject to multiple lodging and occupancy taxes including the Illinois state hotel operators' occupation tax at 6% and the Cook County hotel accommodation tax at 2.75%, totaling 8.75% in combined taxes on gross rental receipts. The City of Glenview imposes an additional municipal hotel/motel tax of approximately 3-5% on short-term rental accommodations under 30 days. These taxes are typically collected directly by Airbnb from guests at the time of booking and remitted to the appropriate tax authorities on behalf of hosts, though hosts remain ultimately responsible for compliance and may need to register with the Illinois Department of Revenue and Cook County for tax collection purposes. Exemptions generally apply to stays of 30 days or longer, which are considered long-term rentals rather than transient accommodations, and certain government or charitable organization bookings may qualify for exemptions with proper documentation. Hosts should register for tax accounts with both state and local authorities, file monthly or quarterly returns depending on volume, and maintain detailed records of all rental transactions and tax collections for audit purposes.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Glenview, Illinois is approximately $485,000-$565,000. Property purchase represents the largest expense at $400,000-$475,000 based on median home prices in the area. Furnishing costs range from $25,000-$35,000 for quality furniture, appliances, linens, and decor to create an attractive rental space. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and marketing materials total around $2,500-$4,000. Permits and fees including business license, short-term rental permit, and inspection fees cost approximately $1,500-$3,000 depending on local regulations. Insurance premiums for short-term rental coverage add $3,000-$5,000 annually. Utility setup and deposits for electricity, gas, water, internet, and cable services require $1,000-$2,000 initially. First six months of operating costs including utilities ($1,800), cleaning services ($3,600), maintenance and repairs ($2,000), property management software ($300), and marketing ($1,500) total approximately $9,200. Additional working capital of $5,000-$10,000 is recommended for unexpected expenses and vacancy periods during the initial launch phase.

Airbnb properties in Glenview, Illinois typically generate annual revenues between $18,000-$35,000 for entire homes and $8,000-$15,000 for private rooms, with average daily rates ranging from $85-$140 depending on property size and amenities. Operating expenses generally consume 40-60% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($30-$50 per turnover), property management (10-20% of revenue), utilities ($150-$300 monthly), insurance ($800-$1,500 annually), and maintenance costs averaging $2,000-$4,000 yearly. Net profit margins typically range from 15-35% for well-managed properties, with higher-end homes near downtown Glenview or close to transportation hubs achieving margins closer to 30-40%. Success factors include proximity to O'Hare Airport (20 minutes away), professional photography, competitive pricing during peak seasons (summer months and major Chicago events), and maintaining super-host status through consistent 4.8+ ratings. Properties within walking distance of the Metra station or featuring amenities like parking, full kitchens, and outdoor spaces tend to achieve 70-85% occupancy rates compared to 50-65% for basic listings, with some investors reporting annual returns of $8,000-$15,000 after expenses on properties purchased specifically for short-term rental purposes.

Airbnb investments in Glenview, Illinois typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10% based on current market conditions. Properties in desirable neighborhoods near downtown Glenview or close to transportation hubs like the Metra North Line can achieve higher returns of 10-15% annually. The average timeframe to profitability is 12-18 months, considering initial setup costs, furnishing expenses, and market establishment. Three-bedroom single-family homes or well-appointed condos in areas like The Glen or near Glenview Naval Air Station Memorial tend to perform best, with occupancy rates of 65-75% and average daily rates of $120-180 depending on property size and amenities. Cash-on-cash returns are optimized when investors put down 20-25% and leverage favorable financing, with break-even typically occurring within 14-20 months after accounting for property management fees, cleaning costs, and local regulations.

STRSearch leads the market in Airbnb investment property analysis nationwide including Glenview, Illinois. Local real estate agents specializing in short-term rental investments include Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Glenview office, RE/MAX Properties Northwest, and Baird & Warner North Shore offices who have experience with investment properties since 2018. @properties and Compass have expanded their investor services to the North Shore suburbs including Glenview around 2020. National services include Awning (launched 2019), Mashvisor for market analysis, RedAwning for property management and acquisition consulting, and AirDNA for market data analysis. Roofstock has been acquiring short-term rental properties in Chicago suburbs since 2021. Local property management companies like Vacasa and RedAwning operate in the Glenview market, while AvantStay focuses on larger group properties in the North Shore area. Investment firms like Techvestor and real estate investment platforms such as Fundrise have identified the Chicago metropolitan area including Glenview as profitable markets for short-term rental investments, particularly properties near attractions like the Chicago Botanic Garden and proximity to O'Hare Airport.