• Not all residential units qualify for shared housing registration. Review the common eligibility criteria for your property.
• Use the eligibility quiz for an unofficial determination of your unit’s eligibility.

• Create an account on the Shared Housing Registration Portal using your legal name as it appears on your government-issued identification.
• After creating your account, enter the account address and upload a valid identity document to complete the account setup.

The application process consists of four simple steps. Step-by-step instructions and application screenshots are available on the HELP page on the Shared Housing Registration Portal.

• What documents will I need?
  
  • During account setup:
    • One identification document
  • If the unit is your primary residence:
    • Two primary residency documents
• Once submitted, your application will be available under “My Applications” on your Account Dashboard, displaying application details, status updates, and required actions where applicable.

Your Account Dashboard will update based on the application’s outcome. You will also receive these notifications in your email.

• If documents are rejected:
  • Review the reason for rejection in your e-mail or on the Account Dashboard.
  • Make the necessary corrections and resubmit the application.
• If the application is denied:
  • If you believe the denial reason is incorrect, you may appeal by following the instructions in the denial letter.
  • If given as an option, you may also request a Commissioner's Adjustment to seek an exception by following the instructions in the denial letter.
•  If the application is approved:
  • Follow the instructions in your approval letter to complete the $125 annual registration payment on the Shared Housing Registration Portal.
  • Upon successful payment, the registration number will appear under "My Registration Numbers" on your Account Dashboard.
  • You may now list your shared housing unit on the approved platforms listed in your approval letter using the new registration number.

Annual Renewal

• All shared housing registrations must be renewed annually. Renewal eligibility begins two months before your registration’s expiration date. BACP will notify hosts when renewal applications are open.

Required Chicago Taxes

• 4.5% Chicago Hotel Accommodation Tax and 6% Shared Housing Surcharge 
• Transactions processed on licensed intermediary platforms:
  • The licensed intermediary will remit all required taxes and surcharges on the host’s behalf.
• Transactions processed on the host’s own platform:
  • The host must create a tax account and remit the required taxes and surcharges.

A hotel is any building advertised as an inn, hotel, motel or similar establishment where seven or more sleeping rooms are rented to guests. Sleeping rooms belonging to the hotel cannot be intermingled on any given floor with sleeping rooms not belonging to the hotel

A vacation rental is an old license type that has since been replaced with the Shared Housing Registration.