26th Ward Voters Back Cap on New Airbnbs

Renters and owners in Chicago's 26th Ward should know existing short-term rentals are not affected by the proposed limits on new permits.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Apartments

Brick rowhouses with stone stoops line a quiet residential street under bare trees and overcast light, suggesting neighborhood housing concerns. — Voters in Chicago's 26th Ward backed capping new short-term rentals 74 percent to 26 percent in a non-binding referendum that will guide Ald. Jessie Fuentes. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should your neighborhood cap new Airbnb and VRBO rentals to protect housing?

Residents of Chicago's 26th Ward voted 74 percent yes on a non-binding referendum to cap new vacation rentals, with 10,865 people voting on the question. The results will guide Ald. Jessie Fuentes as she drafts limits on Airbnbs in certain precincts.

Why it matters

The question asked whether new vacation rentals should be capped to keep apartments available to residents amid Chicago's rental housing shortage, and neighbors have complained that some rentals attract nonresidents linked to violence in some neighborhoods. Any policy Fuentes drafts would not affect existing Airbnb rentals, so current tenants and existing hosts would see no immediate change.

The 26th Ward has 108 active Airbnb rentals, which the company says equals about 1 percent of the ward's housing stock. Airbnb listings make up 44 percent of short-term rentals in Logan Square, Avondale and parts of Humboldt Park, where Logan Square has about 450 short-term listings and Humboldt Park close to 100.

The players

Ald. Jessie Fuentes (26th Ward)

Alderperson of Chicago's 26th Ward who added the referendum question and plans to draft limits on new Airbnb rentals based on the results.

The details

The question was placed on the 26th Ward's midterm ballot at the request of Ald. Jessie Fuentes, and voters answered yes or no on whether the ward should cap new vacation rentals. Fuentes said the results will help her craft new policy or enact bans on new Airbnbs in certain precincts under an existing city ordinance. Short-term rental supply began rising in Logan Square, Avondale and parts of Humboldt Park in 2023 and peaked earlier in 2026.

Since 2023: Short-term rental supply began increasing in Logan Square, Avondale and parts of Humboldt Park.
Earlier in 2026: Short-term rental supply in those neighborhoods peaked.
November 4, 2026: The referendum appeared on the midterm election ballot.
Wednesday morning after the election: The tally of 8,053 yes and 2,812 no votes was reported.

The Home Front

Chicago faces a rental housing shortage that has pushed residents to question whether short-term rentals are taking apartments off the market. The 26th Ward vote follows a pattern of neighborhood-level pressure on Airbnb supply in Logan Square, Avondale and Humboldt Park since 2023.

If you rent in Logan Square, Avondale or Humboldt Park, a new cap would only affect future Airbnb permits and would not change existing short-term rentals. Renters and owners in the 26th Ward should watch for Fuentes's draft legislation and any precinct-level ban proposals before making assumptions about their building's future.

The takeaway

Neighborhood votes can shape where new short-term rentals are allowed, but existing units are generally unaffected. If you are considering a rental or purchase near short-term rental hot spots, ask your landlord or agent how many nearby listings operate in the building's area.