Rental Inspections in Evanston, IL (2026)
2 verified rental inspections rules for Evanston, Illinois, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Inspection Programs
Every dwelling unit rented in Evanston for the first time must be registered with the Community Development Department and pass a City inspection against the International Property Maintenance Code before renting, under City Code § 5-8-3(C)-(D). After registration, inspection, and a $200 fee, the Director issues a certificate of registration listing the unit's maximum occupancy, and the City renews the cycle every year.
Evanston Rental Registration and Inspection Program
Significant RestrictionsEvanston City Code § 5-8-3(C)-(D)
(A)The owner of any dwelling unit being registered for permanent rental for the first time shall file a registration statement for each such dwelling unit with the Department on forms provided by the Department for such purposes... (C)An inspection of each dwelling unit being rented for the first time shall be conducted by the Department to determine if the unit meets the standards of the Inter...
Tenant Complaint Process
Evanston's code official can enter and inspect a rental unit once there is reasonable cause, typically a tenant's report, to believe a Property Maintenance Code violation exists there.
Evanston Complaint-Based Code Inspections
Some RestrictionsEvanston City Code § 5-1-3 (2021 International Property Maintenance Code § 105.3)
Where it is necessary to make an inspection to enforce the provisions of this code, or whenever the code official has reasonable cause to believe that there exists in a structure or upon a premises a condition in violation of this code, the code official is authorized to enter the structure or premises at reasonable times to inspect or perform the duties imposed by this code, subject to the res...
Looking for Cook County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Evanston city rules.
Rental Inspections in Cook County →