Accessory Structures in Evanston, IL (2026)
5 verified accessory structures rules for Evanston, Illinois, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
Evanston allows one accessory dwelling unit per zoning lot, attached, internal, or detached, capped at 1,000 square feet for new construction, with no minimum lot size or owner-occupancy requirement.
Evanston Accessory Dwelling Unit Rules
Some RestrictionsEvanston City Code § 6-4-6-10(B), (D)
(B)Number of Units: One (1) ADU is permitted per zoning lot.(C)Minimum Lot Size: None.(D)Maximum ADU Size: All ADUs shall be smaller than the floor area of the largest primary dwelling unit. Any detached ADU, internal or attached ADU created through new construction...shall not exceed one thousand (1,000) square feet of floor area.
ADU Owner Occupancy
Evanston does not require the property owner to live on-site to have an accessory dwelling unit, but the ADU must stay under common ownership with the main house and house no more than one family.
Evanston ADU Owner-Occupancy Rule
Some RestrictionsEvanston City Code § 6-4-6-10(K)
(K)Ownership and Occupancy: There is no requirement that the property owner reside on the property, however, an ADU shall remain under common ownership with the residential building. Occupancy of the ADU shall be limited to no more than one (1) family.
Shed & Carport Rules
Evanston allows garden sheds in residential rear yards but bans housing birds, poultry (other than hens), or livestock in them, and caps detached accessory coverage at 40% of the rear yard.
Evanston Backyard Shed Rules
Some RestrictionsEvanston City Code § 6-4-6-3
Sheds and storage structures for garden equipment (sheds for propagation or keeping of birds, poultry (except hens), or livestock are prohibited) R Rsd 28. Steps, open (shall not be less than 1 foot from a lot line) F S R Both 29. Storage of any vehicles (provided they are no closer than 10 feet from any property line) R N-Rsd 30. Storage of boats and recreational vehicles. (In residenti...
Garage Conversions
Evanston lets homeowners convert an existing detached garage or accessory building into a coach-house ADU, and a converted structure that already fails a zoning standard is grandfathered rather than forced to conform.
Evanston Garage-To-ADU Conversion Rule
Some RestrictionsEvanston City Code § 6-4-6-10(J)
(J)Alterations of Existing Structures: If a detached ADU is created from an existing detached accessory structure that does not meet one or more of the standards within Section 6-4-6, the structure is exempt from the standard(s) it does not meet. However, any alterations that would result in the structure becoming less conforming with those standards it does not meet are not allowed.(K)Ownershi...
Tiny Homes
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.
Evanston Tiny House Code Adoption
Some RestrictionsEvanston City Code § 4-9-2
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 ...
Looking for Cook County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Evanston city rules.
Accessory Structures in Cook County →