Oak Forest CHAPTER 117: LODGING § 117.35
LICENSE REQUIRED
Operative Text
No person, corporation or business entity, agent, condominium, townhouse or homeowners' association shall engage in the business of renting any dwelling unit to the public, operating a rental dwelling or dwelling unit, rooming house or rooming unit, unless a valid residential rental license has been issued by the City Clerk for the specific location. This licensing requirement shall not apply to group homes governed by the Specialized Living Centers Act, ILCS Ch. 405, Act 25, §§ 1 et seq. , dealing with the developmentally disabled, or other similar uses governed by state or federal laws, rules or regulations. (Ord. 2013-09-0461O, § 2 (part), passed 9-24-2013; Am. Ord. 2020-02-0785O, passed 2-25-2020) Penalty, see § 10.99
Oak Forest § 117.35 establishes that any person, corporation, or business entity that rents out a dwelling unit, rooming house, or rooming unit within the city must first obtain a valid residential rental license issued by the City Clerk for that specific property address. The requirement applies broadly to landlords, associations, and agents, though it carves out an exception for group homes for the developmentally disabled regulated under the Illinois Specialized Living Centers Act and similar state- or federally-governed uses. Violations of this licensing requirement are subject to penalties as referenced in § 10.99 of the Oak Forest municipal code.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Oak Forest § 117.35, compliant rental property operators secure a valid residential rental license from the City Clerk before placing any dwelling unit, rooming house, or rooming unit on the rental market, and they obtain a separate license for each specific location they operate. Operators generally keep their licenses current and on file, since renting without a valid license exposes them to the penalty provisions found at § 10.99. Associations—including condominium, townhouse, and homeowners' associations—that facilitate rentals are also covered by this requirement and typically ensure that any rental activity within their purview is properly licensed.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Oak Forest § 117.35 gives tenants a basis to verify that their landlord holds a valid residential rental license issued by the City Clerk for the specific address where they live. If a landlord is operating without such a license, that may constitute a violation of the municipal code, with penalties governed by § 10.99, and tenants may be able to raise the unlicensed status as a relevant fact in housing-related proceedings. Tenants who believe their rental unit is being operated without the required license can contact the City of Oak Forest or consult a tenant-rights organization to understand what options may be available to them.
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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