Short-Term Rental License

Both Short-Term Rentals (STR) and Short-Term Residential Rental Intermediaries (STRRI) are licensed by the City of Evanston. This page outlines the application and review process for each license type.

• Short-Term Rental (STR)
  • Defined as a dwelling unit, or portion thereof, offered for rent for a period shorter than thirty (30) consecutive days to any person(s) other than a member of the owner's household, as those terms are defined in Section 6-18-3 of this Code. The term "short-term rental" shall not include hotels or motels, licensed pursuant to Title 3, Chapter 2 of this Code, shared housing providers, licensed pursuant to Title 5, Chapter 2 of this Code, bed and breakfast establishments, licensed pursuant to Title 8, Chapter 19 of this Code, home sharing in accord with Subsection 6-4-1-14-(B) of this Code, fixed lease and month-to-month rentals, registered pursuant to Title 5, Chapter 8 of this Code, or rental agreements executed pursuant to or in conjunction with a contract to sell the dwelling unit containing the short-term rental.
• Short-Term Residential Rental Intermediary (STRRI)
  • Defined as a person or entity who, for compensation or a fee, uses an internet platform to connect guests with short-term residential rental providers, and who primarily lists short-term rental units on its platform.

IMPORTANT: All short-term rental operators are subject to the "Hotel-Motel, Bed and Breakfast Establishments, and Vacation Rental Tax", which shall be remitted by the Short-Term Residential Rental Intermediary (STRRI) on a quarterly basis. Please review the tax requirements and ordinance carefully.

Short-Term Rental License

Application Process

License Renewals

Current licensees may renew their license online at the following link:

• Short-Term Rental License - Renewal Application
• Annual Renewal Fee: $250

New Applicants

The City is accepting applications online at the following link:

• Short-Term Rental License - New Application 
  • Application Fee: $150 
  • If you are having trouble using the online application, please contact the City's Licensing Administrator at: nsaric@cityofevanston.org.
• Please have the following documents ready to submit with your application:
  • Floorplan of each dwelling unit (including room dimensions)
  • Floorplan/drawing of the entire property
  • Evacuation diagram
  • Copy of the proposed short-term rental listing
  • In addition, the following may be necessary in certain cases:
    • Affidavit attesting that the owner is on active military duty, and providing the information of the person who will be responsible for the property in their absence.
    • HOA letter confirming that the association's bylaws permit usage of the unit as a short-term rental.

Once an application is received, it will be reviewed by the City for completeness, including the submission of all required documentation. City staff may reach out to you for additional documentation prior to proceeding with the review process.

Review Process

• The rental unit, as well as any common areas that will be available to guests, must be inspected for compliance with the Property Maintenance Code prior to license issuance. The Property Standards team will reach out to the owner to schedule this inspection.
  • Please be advised that all observed violations must be corrected regardless of whether a short-term rental license is eventually issued.
• If the application is approved, the annual license fee of $250 will be due. After payment is received, the license certificate will be issued to the owner.

After License Issuance

• The new license number must be included in the short-term rental listing.
• The property will be subject to annual inspections for property maintenance code compliance.
• Every short-term rental operator shall post, in a conspicuous place within the vacation rental:

1. 1. The name and telephone number of the operator's authorized agent identified pursuant to Code Subsection 5-8-3(A)2;
   2.  The approved maximum occupancy along with an evacuation diagram inside the entrance door identifying all means of egress from the vacation rental and the building in which the vacation rental is located;
   3. A current copy of the short-term rental license certificate;
   4. The schedule of, or restriction on, street cleaning and street snow removal.
   5. If the property is subject to restrictions imposed by a homeowners association or board of directors, then the owner shall post an attestation that the homeowners association or board of directors has not adopted bylaws prohibiting the use of the dwelling unit identified in the license application as a vacation rental or shared housing unit, or that restricts rentals for a period of time less than thirty (30) days, in any combination.

Short-Term Residential Rental Intermediary

Application Process

New Applicants

The City is accepting applications online at the following link:

• STRRI License - New Application 
  • License Fee: $250 plus $60 per rental unit listed on the STRRI platform within the City of Evanston.
  • If you are having trouble using the online application, please contact the City's Licensing Administrator at: nsaric@cityofevanston.org.
• Please have the following documents ready to submit with your application:
  • Compliance Plan
    • A written plan describing the applicant's procedures, processes, and policies, demonstrating compliance with the City's ordinances.
  • Rental List
    • A list of short-term rentals (.xls or .csv) located in Evanston and currently available for rent on the applicant's platform.

Once an application is received, it will be reviewed by the City for completeness, including the submission of all required documentation. City staff may reach out to you for additional documentation prior to proceeding with the review process.