Bellwood CHAPTER 124: LICENSING OF MULTI-FAMILY DWELLINGS AND SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLING UNITS FOR RENT § 124.03
OPERATING LICENSE REQUIRED
Operative Text
(A) Other than condominium and townhouse associations (which are exempt from the licensing provisions of this chapter), it is unlawful for any person to operate a multiple-family building or single-family dwelling unit for rent without having first obtained an operating license therefore. Operating licenses shall be issued by the Village Clerk in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and Chapter 119 of this code. (B) No person or association shall operate a multiple-family building or single-family dwelling unit for rent unless he or she holds a current, unrevoked operating license issued by the village in his or her name for the specific named multiple-family building. (C) Every operating license shall be issued for a person of one year from its date of issuance unless sooner revoked, and may be renewed for successive periods of not to exceed one year. (D) The Village Clerk is hereby authorized upon application therefore to issue new operating licenses, and renewals thereof, in the names of applicant owners or operators of multiple-family building or single-family dwelling unit for rent. No such operating licenses shall be issued unless the multiple-family building or single-family dwelling unit for rent in connection with which the operating license is sought is found after inspection to meet all applicable requirements of this code and the applicable rules and regulations pursuant thereto. (E) No operating license shall be issued or renewed unless the applicant, owner, or operator has first made application therefor on an application form provided by the village. (Ord. 03-43, passed 8-20-03; Am. Ord. 03-59, passed 11-12-03)
Bellwood's § 124.03 establishes that operating a rental property — whether a multi-family building or a single-family unit — without a valid operating license is unlawful, with the exception of condominium and townhouse associations. Licenses are issued by the Village Clerk, are valid for one year from issuance, and may be renewed annually. Before any license is issued or renewed, the property must pass an inspection confirming it meets all applicable code requirements, and the applicant must submit the village's official application form.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 124.03, compliant rental property operators in Bellwood maintain a current, unrevoked operating license issued in their name for each specific building or unit they rent out. Operators typically submit the village's application form to the Village Clerk, ensure the property passes the required inspection, and track the one-year license term to initiate renewal before it lapses. Because the license must be held in the operator's name and is property-specific, operators generally update licensing records whenever ownership or management responsibility changes.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 124.03 requires that any landlord renting a multi-family building or single-family unit in Bellwood hold a valid, unrevoked operating license — meaning tenants have an interest in whether their landlord is properly licensed. Tenants can inquire with the Bellwood Village Clerk's office to verify whether a current operating license exists for their specific rental property. If a landlord appears to be operating without the required license under § 124.03, tenants may consider contacting the village directly, consulting a local tenant-rights organization, or raising the licensing status as relevant in any housing-related proceeding.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 11, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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