Evanston, IL Public Health Rules: Rodent Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Storage clearance
- 12 inches off ground
- First-offense fine
- $150
- Repeat fine
- $750 per day, 3rd+
- Enforcer
- Building & Development Services
Summary
Evanston property owners must keep structures and yards free of rodent harborage, exterminate infestations with integrated pest management, and store materials 12 inches off the ground.
All structures and exterior property shall be kept free from rodent harborage and infestation. Where rodents are found, they shall be promptly exterminated by approved integrated pest management processes which will utilize engineering controls to build out pests, pesticides will be used only when no other alternative has proven viable... There shall be no accumulation of rubbish, boxes, firewood, lumber, scrap metal or any other materials so that rodent harborage exists. Stored materials shall be stacked neatly in piles elevated at least twelve (12) inches above the ground or grade.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 21).
Full Breakdown
Evanston's Property Maintenance Code requires every structure and exterior property to stay free of rodent harborage and infestation. When rodents turn up, the owner must exterminate them through approved integrated pest management, using engineering controls before pesticides. Afterward, the owner must take precautions to prevent reinfestation. Rubbish, boxes, firewood, lumber, scrap metal and similar stored materials cannot be left piled on the ground: they must be stacked neatly and elevated at least 12 inches above grade so rodents can't nest underneath. The Building & Development Services Division enforces this against owners and occupants alike.
Violations & Fines
First offense $150, second $400, third and later $750, with every day a violation continues after notice counted as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
What must I do if I find rodents on my Evanston property?
What's the fine for a rodent harborage violation in Evanston?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Evanston
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Rodent Control in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Cook County handle rodent control.