DuPage County, Illinois, October 13, 2025
News Summary
DuPage County officials will consider a zoning text amendment to allow and regulate short‑term rentals in unincorporated areas, introducing mandatory registration, annual inspections, an occupancy limit of five unrelated people and a yearly fee. Fee revenues would be placed into a county housing fund to support low‑interest loans and construction financing for long‑term housing. The report also highlights a $136 million sale of a 640‑unit Naperville complex, $124 million in financing for a 334‑unit Wheaton rental project, and a state‑backed emergency rental grant program offering up to $25,000 for qualifying households.
DuPage County Board set to vote on annual short-term rental rules; major Naperville apartment sale and Wheaton financing also reported
County officials will take an initial vote Tuesday on a proposal that would allow and regulate short-term rentals in unincorporated parts of DuPage County on an annual basis. The proposed change to the zoning ordinance would require owners to register short-term rental properties, submit to an annual inspection, and pay a yearly fee. Money collected from the fee would feed a county housing fund to support low-interest loans, construction loans and other housing measures.
Key elements of the proposed short-term rental rules
- The county currently allows rentals of 30 days or more but does not permit short-term rentals in unincorporated areas.
- Officials estimate between 65 and 300 short-term rentals may be operating in unincorporated DuPage County at any given time, with many identified through complaints about damage or loud parties.
- Required steps would include registration, an annual inspection, and payment of an annual fee (amount to be set later).
- Inspections would check compliance with county building, health, stormwater and zoning codes, and any applicable state or federal statutes.
- Occupancy limits would cap unrelated guests at five people per short-term rental, with owners able to apply for a special event permit to temporarily exceed that limit.
- If the board approves the text amendment, officials would draft a formal ordinance to implement the rules.
Why the county is acting
The proposal is described as an opportunity to bring short-term rentals into a formal regulatory structure and to generate revenue to fund housing initiatives. It arrives amid broader county efforts to expand affordable housing, including relaxed zoning requirements and a proposed plan to use up to $5 million from a surplus to launch a down-payment assistance program for first-time homebuyers.
Major Naperville apartment sale tops suburban transactions this year
A nearly 34-acre apartment complex at 1598 Fairway Drive in Naperville changed hands for $136 million, one of the largest suburban multifamily deals this year. The 640-unit complex, completed in 1984 and previously known as the Addison of Naperville, was bought by an investor based in New Jersey. The purchase was financed with a loan of just over $90.8 million.
The sale stands out amid a run of high-priced suburban apartment deals and follows a pattern of strong rent growth in the Chicago region, which analysts say has been pushed higher by a slowdown in new construction. At the time of sale, the Naperville complex had a 6.6% vacancy rate and asking rents averaging about $1,879 per unit and $2.11 per square foot.
Wheaton project secures roughly $124 million to build 334-unit complex
A local developer secured approximately $124 million in financing to build a seven-story, 334-unit rental building at 220 W. Liberty Drive in downtown Wheaton. The financing package includes an $84 million construction loan and about $40 million in equity from an institutional investor. The project is transit-oriented and within walking distance of a Metra station.
The development will include about 4,504 square feet of ground-floor retail leased to a local café and is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2027. Market observers say the deal reflects continued investor interest in suburban apartment demand, driven in part by people remaining renters longer amid high borrowing costs.
Rental assistance available for DuPage residents impacted by COVID-19
Households in DuPage County behind on rent due to COVID-19 may be eligible for up to $25,000 in emergency rental assistance administered by the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA). The program covers up to 15 months of missed payments for the period June 2020 through August 2021. Grants are paid directly to landlords, so tenants must work with their housing providers on applications.
Applications were to begin being accepted online at the program portal. Residents can find application details and required documents on the IHDA portal or contact [email protected] and (866) 454‑3571 for help. County leaders noted the program is intended to prevent evictions and keep families in stable homes while landlords receive funds for outstanding rents.
What happens next and broader impacts
- If DuPage County board members approve the text amendment for short-term rentals, staff will prepare an ordinance spelling out registration, inspection and fee processes.
- Fee revenue from registrations would be set later and dedicated to a housing fund to support lending and construction for housing needs.
- Major multifamily transactions and new suburban projects underline investor appetite for suburban rental housing amid rising rents and slower apartment construction.
FAQ
Q: What will the DuPage County vote decide?
A: The county board will vote on a proposed amendment to allow and regulate short-term rentals in unincorporated areas and to require registration, inspections and fees. Approval of the amendment is the first step before a final ordinance is drafted.
Q: How many short-term rentals are estimated to be in unincorporated DuPage County?
A: Officials estimate between 65 and 300 short-term rentals may be operating at any one time in unincorporated parts of the county.
Q: What limits would apply to short-term rentals?
A: The proposal would limit occupancy to no more than five unrelated people per rental. Temporary exceptions could be requested through a special event permit process.
Q: Who purchased the Naperville apartment complex and for how much?
A: The property at 1598 Fairway Drive sold for $136 million. The buyer is an out-of-state investor and the sale was financed in part with a loan of just over $90.8 million.
Q: What financing was secured for the Wheaton project?
A: The Wheaton development obtained an $84 million construction loan and about $40 million in equity, for roughly $124 million in total financing, to build a 334-unit apartment building expected to open in early 2027.
Q: How can DuPage tenants apply for IHDA rental aid?
A: Tenants must work with their landlords to apply through the IHDA rental assistance portal. Information, required documents, an email contact ([email protected]) and a phone line ((866) 454‑3571) are provided by IHDA.
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Key features at a glance
| Topic | Key Facts | Next Steps / Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Short-term rental rules | Registration, annual inspections, annual fee; occupancy cap of 5 unrelated people; estimate 65–300 units active | Board vote on text amendment; formal ordinance to follow; fee revenue to fund housing programs |
| Naperville multifamily sale | 640 units on ~34 acres sold for $136 million; financed with a ~$90.8M loan; asking rents ~$1,879/unit | Largest suburban sale this year; reflects strong rent growth and limited new supply |
| Wheaton — The Faywell | 334 units; ~$124M financing (including $84M construction loan); transit-adjacent; retail space leased | Construction underway; estimated completion Q1 2027; signals investor confidence in suburbs |
| IHDA rental assistance | Up to $25,000 per household for rent missed June 2020–Aug 2021; grants paid to landlords | Applications via IHDA portal; tenants must work with landlords to apply; hotline and email available |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Additional Resources
- Daily Herald: DuPage County looks to regulate short-term rental properties
- Wikipedia: Short-term rental
- CoStar: Apartments west of Chicago sell for $136 million
- Google Search: Naperville apartment sale $136 million 2025
- Crain’s Chicago Business: Downtown Wheaton’s Faywell apartments land financing
- Google Scholar: transit-oriented development Wheaton Faywell
- Daily Herald: Glen Ellyn cracks down on short-term rentals
- Encyclopedia Britannica: short-term rental
- Positively Naperville: DuPage County offers rental assistance program
- Google News: DuPage County rental assistance IHDA ILRPP
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