Night Caps: Des Plaines vs Evanston
How do night caps rules compare between Des Plaines, IL and Evanston, IL?
Des Plaines has fewer restrictions than Evanston.
Des Plaines, IL
Cook County
Des Plaines does not impose a hard annual cap on short-term rental nights for fully registered properties, but unhosted whole-home rentals in single-family residential zones face additional scrutiny. Stays under 30 days qualify as short-term and are subject to the full vacation rental ordinance and Cook County hotel tax.
View full Des Plaines 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 | Des Plaines | Evanston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Night Cap | None for registered STRs | - |
| STR Threshold | Stays under 30 days | - |
| Long-Term Lease | 30+ days = not STR | - |
| Zoning Limits | R-1 may need special use | - |
| Fine Range | $500–$750/day | - |
| 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.
Des Plaines FAQ
Is there a cap on Airbnb nights per year in Des Plaines?
No. Des Plaines does not impose a fixed annual night cap for properly registered short-term rentals. Any rental under 30 days qualifies as an STR and must comply with the full ordinance.
What counts as a short-term rental in Des Plaines?
Any rental of fewer than 30 consecutive days. Stays of 30 days or more are leases governed by Illinois landlord-tenant law and not by the STR ordinance.
Can I run an unhosted Airbnb in a Des Plaines single-family zone?
Unhosted whole-home rentals in R-1 zones may require additional zoning approval such as a special use permit. Confirm eligibility with Community & Economic Development at (847) 391-5380.
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.
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