Evanston, IL Building Safety: Door Locking Hardware (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- IPMC § 802.2, City Code § 5-1-3
- Minimum lock throw
- 1 inch, hardened steel
- Strike plate screws
- 4-inch hardened steel screws
- Applies to
- Non-owner-occupied dwellings
Summary
Evanston requires deadbolt locks with at least a 1-inch throw and hardened steel components on entry doors to individual units in non-owner-occupied rental housing, under the Building Security chapter.
Doors providing access to individual units shall be equipped with a deadbolt lock meeting specifications set forth herein. Such deadbolt locks shall be operated only by the turning of a knob or a key and shall have a lock throw of not less than 1-inch and hardened steel inserts or a surface/rim mounted vertical drop, dead bolt lock. Cylinder guards shall be installed on all rim-type vertical dead bolt locks whenever the cylinder projects beyond the face of the door or is otherwise accessible to gripping tools. Strike plates shall be secured with hardened steel screws four inches (4") long. For the purpose of this section, a sliding bolt shall not be considered an acceptable deadbolt lock. Such deadbolt locks shall be installed according to manufacturer's specifications and maintained in good working order. All deadbolt locks required by this section shall be designed and installed in such a manner so as to be operable inside of the unit without the use of a key, tool, combination thereof or any other special knowledge or effort.
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
Chapter 8, Building Security, of Evanston's Property Maintenance Code applies to non-owner-occupied dwellings, both multi-unit and single-unit. Section 802.2 requires doors providing access to individual units to carry a deadbolt lock operated only by a knob or key, with a throw of at least 1 inch and hardened steel inserts, or a surface/rim-mounted vertical drop dead bolt with cylinder guards where the cylinder is exposed. Strike plates must be secured with four-inch hardened steel screws, a sliding bolt does not qualify as a deadbolt, and every required lock must be operable from inside the unit without a key or tool.
Violations & Fines
Enforced by the Building & Development Services Division as a Property Maintenance Code violation against the owner, remedied via a notice of violation and prosecution under the code's violations section if not corrected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Evanston rental units need deadbolt locks?
Can a sliding bolt satisfy the requirement?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Evanston
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