Schaumburg — Ch. 123 Rental License, Association License and Vacant Building Registration § 123.01
DEFINITIONS
Operative Text
For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning: ABANDONED BUILDING: A property that is a vacant building and it becomes evident that the owner has ceased to invest any significant resources to maintain the property in a condition that is required by the village Code. ASSOCIATION LICENSE: A license required for homeowners' associations that control and/or maintain common areas and/or common property and any portion of the property, building or structure to another person, business, corporation or entity for any fixed period of time shall be deemed to be engaged in the business of renting property. EVIDENCE OF VACANCY: Any condition that on its own or combined with other conditions present would lead a reasonable person to believe that the property is vacant and no longer occupied. Such conditions include, but are not limited to, overgrown and/or dead vegetation, accumulation of junk and/or debris, accumulation of newspapers, circulars, flyers and/or mail, past due utility notices, disconnected utilities, or no significant usage of utilities, the building has been registered as vacant. PROPERTY: Any unimproved or improved real property or portion thereof, situated in the Village of Schaumburg and includes the buildings or structures located on the property regardless of condition. RENTAL LICENSE: A license required for any owner of a building, structure, dwelling or dwelling unit who rents, leases, or controls any portion of the property, building or structure to another person, business, corporation or entity for any fixed period of time. SHORT-TERM RENTAL: A single room, dwelling unit or portion thereof located within the primary structure in a residential zoning district and offered for rent for a period of thirty (30) consecutive days or less to any person other than a member of the owner's immediate family. UNOCCUPIED BUILDING: A building or portion thereof which lacks the habitual presence of human beings who have legal right to be on the premises. VACANT BUILDING: A building or structure that is unoccupied or not legally occupied for more than forty-five (45) days, but does not include: unoccupied buildings or structures which may be undergoing construction or rehabilitation and have a current building permit, or unoccupied buildings where the owner on a seasonal basis will temporarily occupy other property.
Section 123.01 of Schaumburg's Chapter 123 establishes the foundational vocabulary used throughout the village's rental licensing and vacant building registration framework. Key terms defined include distinctions between an 'Abandoned Building,' an 'Unoccupied Building,' and a 'Vacant Building,' with the latter applying to structures unoccupied or not legally occupied for more than 45 days (with limited exceptions for active construction permits or seasonal owners). The section also defines when a rental license or association license is required, and sets out what constitutes a 'Short-Term Rental' — a unit rented for 30 consecutive days or fewer to non-family members in a residential zone.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in Schaumburg should familiarize themselves with the definitions in § 123.01, as these terms determine which licensing obligations apply to their properties. A building left unoccupied beyond 45 days may qualify as a 'Vacant Building' under this section, triggering registration requirements, while evidence of vacancy — such as overgrown vegetation, accumulated mail, or disconnected utilities — can independently signal that status to village officials. Operators who rent any portion of a property for a fixed period, or whose homeowners' association controls common areas, should confirm whether a Rental License or Association License is required under this chapter.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
For tenants in Schaumburg, § 123.01 provides important context about how the village classifies rental properties and the conditions under which a building may be deemed vacant or abandoned. Understanding these definitions can be relevant if a tenant observes conditions — such as disconnected utilities or accumulating debris — that suggest a property is being neglected or improperly registered. Tenants who believe their building may be misclassified or that their landlord is not meeting village licensing requirements may wish to contact the Village of Schaumburg directly or consult a tenant-rights organization familiar with local ordinances.
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 6, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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