Evanston, IL Accessory Structures: Tiny Homes (2026)
Tiny home rules in Evanston, IL, covering tiny houses on wheels (THOWs), park model RVs, and tiny home on foundation builds, determine where they are legal and how they get permitted.
Key Facts
- Adopted appendix
- IRC Appendix AQ, Tiny Houses
- Base code
- 2021 International Residential Code
- Adoption authority
- § 4-9-2, Amendments
- Enforcing agency
- Building & Development Services Division
Summary
Evanston has adopted Appendix AQ, Tiny Houses, of the 2021 International Residential Code by name under City Code Section 4-9-2, giving tiny houses their own construction standard.
R102.5 Appendices. Provisions in the appendices shall not apply unless specifically referenced in the adopting ordinance. The following appendices are hereby adopted:
Appendix AA. Sizing and Capacities of Gas Piping
Appendix AB. Sizing of Venting Systems Serving Appliances Equipped with Draft Hood, Category I Appliances and Appliances Listed for Use with Type B Vents
Appendix AC. Exit Terminals of Mechanical Draft and Direct-Vent Venting Systems
Appendix AF. Radon Control Methods
Commentary: 420 ILCS 52 "The Illinois Radon Resistant Construction Act", requires that all new residential construction in the State of Illinois shall include passive radon resistant construction.
Appendix AH. Patio Covers
Appendix AJ. Existing Buildings and Structures
Appendix AK. Sound Transmission as amended.
Appendix AO. Automatic Vehicular Gates
Appendix AQ. Tiny Houses
Appendix AT. [RE] Solar Ready Provisions-Detached One- and Two-Family Dwellings and Townhouses
Appendix AW. 3-D Printed Building Construction
R102.7.1 Additions, alterations or repairs. This section shall be revised to read as follows:
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 21).
Full Breakdown
City Code Section 4-9-2 lists the IRC appendices Evanston has adopted, and Appendix AQ, Tiny Houses, is on that list alongside radon control, solar-ready, and 3-D printed construction appendices. Because the Residential Code states that appendix provisions do not apply unless specifically referenced in the adopting ordinance, this express listing is what makes IRC Appendix AQ's separate construction standards for dwellings under 400 square feet enforceable for tiny houses built in Evanston. The Building and Development Services Division administers the Residential Code under Section 4-9-1's home rule adoption.
Violations & Fines
Residential Code violations, including noncompliant tiny house construction, are fined $150 first offense, $400 second, $750 third and beyond under Section 4-9-3, with each day a separate violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Evanston allow tiny houses?
Why does the specific appendix listing matter?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Evanston
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