Night Caps: Evanston vs Skokie
How do night caps rules compare between Evanston, IL and Skokie, IL?
Evanston and Skokie have similar restriction levels.
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 →Skokie, IL
Cook County
Skokie's 2026 pilot ordinance sets a minimum five-night stay for every booking and caps operators at 18 total bookings over the 18-month pilot period. Stays of fewer than five nights or exceeding the booking cap are prohibited.
View full Skokie rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Evanston | Skokie |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | - |
| Minimum Stay | - | 5 consecutive nights |
| Booking Cap | - | 18 bookings / 18-month pilot |
| Pilot Window | - | May 1, 2026 – Oct 31, 2027 |
| Record-Keeping | - | Required, Village auditable |
| Max Fine | - | $1,500/offense |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
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.
Skokie FAQ
What is the minimum Airbnb stay in Skokie IL?
Five consecutive nights. Skokie's pilot ordinance prohibits stays of one to four nights at any licensed short-term rental.
How many bookings can a Skokie STR have per year?
Each operator is capped at 18 total bookings over the full 18-month pilot period (May 2026 through October 2027), which is roughly one booking per month on average.
What happens if I exceed Skokie's STR booking cap?
Exceeding the 18-booking cap or accepting stays shorter than five nights can result in fines up to $1,500 per offense and may lead to license revocation.
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