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Cannabis Regulations in Evanston, IL (2026)

2 verified cannabis regulations for Evanston, Illinois, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Dispensary Zoning

Cannabis dispensaries need special-use approval and are allowed only in Evanston's downtown, commercial, office, and RP districts: never in a residential district or inside any dwelling unit.

Evanston Cannabis Dispensary Zoning

Significant Restrictions

Evanston City Code § 6-4-11-3(A)

The approval for cannabis dispensary businesses shall only be allowed as a Special Use in RP, D1, D2, D3, D4, C1a, C1, C2, B1a, B2, B3, and O1 Zoning Districts as well as the oDM, oCSC and oH Zoning Overlay Districts. Cannabis dispensaries shall be prohibited in all R, B1, M, T, U, I, WE1 and OS zoning districts as well as within any dwelling unit or rooming unit.(B)Distance Requirement: Any ca...

Buffer Zones

Cannabis dispensaries must sit at least 1,500 feet from any other dispensary and 500 feet from an existing school, measured lot line to lot line under Evanston's zoning code.

Evanston Cannabis Buffer Distances

Significant Restrictions

Evanston City Code § 6-4-11-3(B)

Any cannabis dispensary shall not be located within one thousand five hundred (1,500) feet of another cannabis dispensary or five hundred (500) feet of a pre-existing public or private educational institution that is an elementary, middle, or high school, as measured from lot line to lot line.(C)Distance Requirement Measurement: The distance requirement shall be measured from the nearest proper...

Looking for Cook County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Evanston city rules.

Cannabis Regulations in Cook County