Short-Term Rentals in Evanston, IL (2026)

5 verified short-term rentals rules for Evanston, Illinois, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Short-Term Rental Permits

Evanston makes it unlawful to operate a short-term rental, meaning a dwelling unit rented for fewer than 30 consecutive days, without a current one-year license under Title 5, Chapter 9. Booking platforms that list units need their own intermediary license. Licenses are capped at one per 100 registered long-term rentals, and every unit must pass a City inspection first.

Evanston Short-Term Rental License Requirements

Significant Restrictions

Evanston City Code § 5-9-3

(A) It shall be unlawful to operate a short-term rental within the City without a current, valid short-term rental license issued pursuant to the terms of this Chapter. (B) It shall be unlawful to list or advertise as available for rental a short-term rental unit within the City without a current, valid short-term residential rental intermediary license issued pursuant to the terms of this Chap...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Taxes & Fees

Evanston requires a license for every dwelling unit rented for fewer than thirty consecutive days, and the license carries a non-refundable application fee plus an annual license fee, both set by City Council action rather than printed in the code. Platforms that list the unit must remit the hotel-motel, bed and breakfast establishments, and vacation rental tax under Section 3-2-4. A late renewal adds a late fee, and a violation costs $1,000 per booking.

Evanston Short-Term Rental Taxes and Fees

Significant Restrictions

Evanston City Code § 5-9-4(C); § 5-9-5(D); § 5-9-8(B)

Taxes. All short-term residential rental intermediaries shall be required to remit the hotel-motel, bed and breakfast establishments, and vacation rental tax for each short-term rental unit listed on their platform, in accordance with Section 3-2-4 . ... Fees. The following fees shall be imposed for application submittal and license issuance: 1. Application Fee. All property owners who seek to ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Short-Term Rental Parking Rules

Evanston does not set a minimum parking count for vacation rentals; it instead requires every listing to disclose whether parking is available and to flag any neighborhood parking restrictions guests should expect.

Evanston Vacation Rental Parking Disclosure

Light Restrictions

Evanston City Code § 5-9-5(C)

Every vacation rental operation shall include in any listing the following information about the vacation rental: (A) the licensee's cancellation and check-in and check-out policies; (B) a statement on: (i) whether the vacation rental is wheelchair or ADA accessible; (ii) whether the vacation rental has any parking availability or neighborhood parking restrictions; and (iii) the availability of...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Primary-Residence-Only Rule

Evanston does not limit vacation rentals to owner-occupied homes, but a license for a non-primary residence needs Planning and Development Committee and City Council review; primary-residence applications get a lighter staff review.

Evanston Vacation Rental Owner-Occupancy Review

Significant Restrictions

Evanston City Code § 5-9-4(D)

If a vacation rental license is not for the owner's primary residence then the Planning and Development Committee will review the application for vacation rental and will report to the City Council upon each application with respect to the standards set forth below. The City Council after receiving said report, may refer the application back to that body for additional review, or, by motion, ma...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Repeat Violator Strikes

Evanston fines vacation rental violations on an escalating scale -- $200 for a first offense, $500 for a second, and $750 for a third or later offense -- with each day of violation counted separately.

Evanston Vacation Rental Repeat Violation Fines

Significant Restrictions

Evanston City Code § 5-9-6(A)

(A)Any owner, tenant or other person who shall be found to have violated any of the provisions of this Chapter shall be guilty of an offense punishable as follows:1.The fine for a first violation is two hundred dollars ($200.00).2.The fine for a second violation is five hundred dollars ($500.00).3.The fine for a third or subsequent violation is seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00).(B)Each day ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Looking for Cook County county-wide rules?

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

Short-Term Rentals in Cook County →