Evanston, IL Rental Inspections: Inspection Programs (2026)

Evanston's rental registration chapter, Title 5, Chapter 8, requires the owner of any dwelling unit being rented for the first time to file a registration statement with the Community Development Department under § 5-8-3(A), naming the owner, an authorized agent who resides or maintains an office in Cook County, the property manager, the insurer, and a floor plan with room dimensions, and to pay an initial registration and inspection fee (new construction with a certificate of occupancy is exempt). Under § 5-8-3(C), the Department then inspects the unit against the International Property Maintenance Code and other applicable building codes, notifies the owner of any violations, and gives a reasonable time to fix them.

Once the unit passes and the owner pays a $200 fee, § 5-8-3(D) requires the Director to issue a certificate of registration that states the unit's maximum occupancy load, calculated from its square footage and room configuration. 5 layers on a routine inspection fee for each unit plus a re-inspection fee if a cited violation is not cured by the time of the first, free re-inspection. Lodging establishments, state- or federally-licensed facilities such as nursing homes, and government-owned or public-housing-authority buildings are exempt from registration under § 5-8-3(B).

Under § 5-8-6, the Director can withhold any building permit or certificate of occupancy, and the City Clerk can withhold real estate transfer tax stamps, from an owner without a current certificate of registration.