Chicago's 26th Ward Backs Airbnb Cap Referendum
Residents voted 74 percent in favor of a non-binding question to cap new vacation rentals in the ward.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Apartments
Live Poll
Should your neighborhood cap new Airbnb and VRBO rentals to protect housing?
Voters in Chicago's 26th Ward approved a non-binding referendum to cap new vacation rentals, with 8,053 yes votes against 2,812 no votes as of Wednesday morning. Ald. Jessie Fuentes plans to draft legislation limiting Airbnbs in certain precincts based on the results.
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. Neighbors have previously complained that some rentals attract nonresidents who have been responsible for acts of violence in some neighborhoods.
Airbnb listings account for 44 percent of short-term rentals in Logan Square, Avondale and parts of Humboldt Park, with Logan Square alone holding about 450 short-term listings from the three sites. Whether any new restrictions will be enacted has not yet been decided.
The players
Jessie Fuentes
Alderman of Chicago's 26th Ward who added the referendum question and plans to draft limits on Airbnbs in certain precincts.
The details
The non-binding question appeared on the 26th Ward's midterm election ballot at the request of Ald. Jessie Fuentes. Fuentes said the results will guide new policy or bans on new Airbnbs in certain precincts allowed under an existing city ordinance, though any policy would not affect existing rentals.
Timeline
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 question appeared on the midterm election ballot.
Wednesday morning after the election: Vote tally of 8,053 yes and 2,812 no was reported.
Roadmap
The vote follows a rise in short-term rental supply across several Chicago neighborhoods since 2023, which peaked earlier this year. The referendum signals how local officials may use existing ordinance authority to respond to housing pressure from short-term rentals.
Renters in Chicago's 26th Ward and nearby neighborhoods could see new limits on short-term rentals, which may affect the availability of apartments for residents. Existing Airbnb rentals would not be affected by any policy Fuentes drafts.
The takeaway
Residents interested in the housing supply in their neighborhood can track how the ward's policy develops as Ald. Fuentes drafts legislation based on the referendum results.
Further reading
Explore more on Apartments in Chicago for context on the city's rental housing market.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Block Club Chicago.
Live Poll
Should your neighborhood cap new Airbnb and VRBO rentals to protect housing?
