Bellwood CHAPTER 124: LICENSING OF MULTI-FAMILY DWELLINGS AND SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLING UNITS FOR RENT § 124.06
OPERATING LICENSE FEES
Operative Text
(A) Each application for an operating license shall be accompanied by a license fee. The license fee shall be determined by the following schedule: Number of Units Owned Operating License Fee 2-50 $145 per Building and $5 per Unit 51-350 $ 95 per Building and $5 per Unit 351 or more $ 90 per Building and $5 per Unit (B) In the event a completed operating license application is not submitted together with the required license fee prior to January 1 in any given year, the license fee shall be increased by 20%; and further, the base license fee shall be increased by an additional 20% on the first day of each subsequent month, until such time as a complete operating license application and the required license fee is paid. (C) In the event the ownership of a building changes during the license year, the license fee for the new owner shall be determined on a prorated per diem basis. No refund of any license fee paid shall be made. (D) Notwithstanding any provisions contained hereinabove to the contrary, the owner of a multiple-family building containing more than 100 dwelling units may elect to pay the license fee in two installments. The first installment shall be in the amount of 50% of the applicable license fee and shall be paid at the time of application for an operating license hereunder. The balance of the applicable license fee shall be paid on or before July 1 of the license year. In the event the balance of the applicable license fee is not paid on or before July 1 of the license year, the operating license shall be deemed to have terminated on July 2 of the license year, without further action by the village. (E) Notwithstanding any provision contained hereunder to the contrary, no operating license shall be renewed until such time as all costs provided by this chapter have been paid. (Ord. 03-43, passed 8-20-03; Am. Ord. 03-59, passed 11-12-03)
Bellwood § 124.06 establishes a tiered fee schedule for operating licenses covering rental buildings, with the base fee varying by the total number of units owned (ranging from $90–$145 per building plus $5 per unit). Applications submitted after January 1 of any given year are subject to a 20% surcharge on the base fee, with an additional 20% added on the first day of each subsequent month until the application and payment are complete. Owners of buildings with more than 100 units may split the fee into two installments, but if the second installment is not paid by July 1, the operating license automatically terminates on July 2 without any further action required by the village. When ownership changes mid-year, the new owner's fee is calculated on a prorated daily basis, and no refunds are issued for fees already paid.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Bellwood § 124.06, compliant property operators submit a fully completed operating license application along with the correct tiered fee before January 1 each year to avoid the escalating 20% monthly surcharges. Operators of buildings with more than 100 units who elect the two-installment option ensure the remaining 50% balance is paid on or before July 1, since missing that deadline causes the license to terminate automatically on July 2. When acquiring a rental property mid-year, operators account for the prorated per diem fee calculation and note that no refund will be issued for any fees the prior owner already paid. Renewal of any operating license under this chapter is contingent on all outstanding costs being fully paid.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Bellwood § 124.06 requires landlords of rental properties to hold a valid, fee-paid operating license, and that license can automatically terminate if the owner fails to meet payment deadlines — including the July 1 installment deadline for larger buildings. Tenants who have concerns about whether their building's operating license is current may contact the Village of Bellwood directly to inquire about a property's licensing status. If a landlord is found to be operating without a valid license, tenants may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider to understand what remedies or defenses may be available under this chapter.
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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