Night Caps: Arlington Heights vs Evanston
How do night caps rules compare between Arlington Heights, IL and Evanston, IL?
Arlington Heights has fewer restrictions than Evanston.
Arlington Heights, IL
Cook County
Arlington Heights does not impose annual night caps or limits on the number of nights a property can be rented as a short-term rental. There is no village ordinance restricting how many days per year a residential property may be used for transient accommodations. However, since short-term rentals face zoning restrictions in residential districts, operating at any volume may raise zoning compliance questions.
View full Arlington Heights rules →Evanston, IL
Cook County
Evanston's vacation rental ordinance (Title 5 Chapter 9) does not impose a per-unit annual night cap. Instead, Ordinance 2-O-26 (adopted February 24, 2026) caps the citywide total at one short-term rental per 100 long-term rental units, which staff projected at roughly 144 STRs given approximately 14,450 registered long-term units, plus a 600-foot separation between STRs.
View full Evanston rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Arlington Heights | Evanston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Night Cap | None imposed | - |
| Primary Issue | Zoning compliance, not volume | - |
| State Limit | None from Illinois | - |
| Key Concern | Residential zoning restrictions | - |
| Contact | (847) 368-5200 Community Dev | - |
| Per-Unit Night Cap | - | None published |
| Citywide Cap | - | 1 STR per 100 long-term units (~144) |
| Separation | - | 600 feet between STRs |
| Manager Residency | - | Within 3 miles of Evanston |
| Adopted | - | Feb 24, 2026 (2-O-26) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Arlington Heights FAQ
How many nights can I rent my property as a short-term rental in Arlington Heights?
Arlington Heights does not impose an annual night cap. However, the primary concern is whether short-term rental use is authorized in your zoning district at all. Contact Community Development at (847) 368-5200.
Is there a 90-day or 180-day rental limit in Arlington Heights?
No. The village has not adopted annual night limits for short-term rentals. The relevant question is whether your property's zoning allows short-term rental activity.
Does renting fewer nights make it legal in a residential zone?
Not necessarily. Zoning compliance is based on the nature of the use, not the frequency. Even occasional short-term rental activity in a restricted residential zone could be considered a zoning violation.
Evanston FAQ
How many nights per year can I rent my Evanston Airbnb?
Title 5 Chapter 9 of the Evanston City Code does not publish a per-unit annual night cap. Instead, Ordinance 2-O-26 (adopted February 24, 2026) caps the citywide total at approximately 144 STR licenses (one per 100 long-term units) and requires 600 feet of separation between licensed STRs. Confirm with Program Administrator Nishat Saric at (847) 448-4311.
What counts as a short-term rental in Evanston?
Section 5-9-3 defines a short-term rental as a dwelling unit, or portion of one, offered for rent for fewer than 30 consecutive days to anyone outside the owner's household. Stays of 30 nights or longer to the same guest fall outside Chapter 9 and are regulated as long-term rentals under Chapter 3.
Compare other topics
See how Arlington Heights and Evanston compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool