The City of Evanston Ordinance 141-O-18 requires the annual registration of residential rental property. The ordinance specifically applies to all rental single family homes, rental condominiums,  multifamily rental buildings, and accessory dwelling units
 

First time/new registration

If you are renting your property for the first time, please submit the following by mail to the City of Evanston - Community Development Department, Property Standards, 2100 Ridge Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201.  

• Rental Registration Form (printable form)
• Architectural drawn floor plan or well-drawn scaled drawing showing the interior rooms and their exact measurements.

• $200 non-refundable application fee
  

Registration renewal

Renew and pay for routine rental registrations using the invoice number that was sent via mail or email.  If you do not know your invoice number, email propertymaintenance@cityofevanston.org

Online registration renewal and payment 

Alternatively, you can also print the Rental Registration Form and mail it with your payment to the City of Evanston - Community Development Department, Property Standards,  2100 Ridge Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201

COVID-19 information

• The State of Illinois issued an executive order on evictions: Executive Order 2020-30: Eviction stay.
  
• Wondering about evictions during the COVID-19 crisis?  Check out the eviction flow chart for some helpful tips and information.
• For  additional questions, you can reach out to Metropolitan Tenants Organization through 311 or 773-292-4988.
  
• Looking for best practices and guidance? check out the National Apartment Association COVID-19 information. 
• Review the NAA best practices on rent collections during COVID-19 and the guidance for multi-family residential buildings during COVID-19 issued by the Chicago Department of Public Health.
• Review the guidance on the Eviction Moratorium as of 04/23/20 along with local legislation and resources.
• Join or watch the webinar:

Owner Occupied Units

Owner Occupied Single Family

Did you received a registration statement and invoice? Return your Annual Rental Registration form with the Owner Information section completed, and include a copy of your most recent water utility bill.  We will then verify the information you provide and change our records accordingly. 

Owner Occupied Two Dwelling buildings

For two dwelling unit building currently used as a single family home or where each unit is owned and occupied separately as an individual residence, please submit the Affidavit of Occupancy for Rental Registration Exemption online.

Alternatively, an  Affidavit of Occupancy for Rental Registration Exemption form  can be printed and submitted  along with the Annual Rental Registration form with the Owner Information section completed, by mail to the City of Evanston - Health & Human Services Department, 2100 Ridge Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201.

Owner Occupied Unit Inspection Exemption

If you are an owner that resides in one of the units that is scheduled for inspection and would like to exempt your owner occupied unit from the inspection, please  notify the inspector at the time of the inspection and your unit will be exempt from inspection. 
All other units, common areas and the exterior will be subject to inspection regardless of occupancy, or whether you collect rental payments from said occupants.

For additional information go to:  Property Maintenance Routine Inspection Process.

What is an ADU?

Accessory dwelling units are units which are accessory to the primary use of the principal structure. Accessory dwelling units may be detached from the principal structure.

Do I need to register my ADU for rental?

Yes. On November 19, 2018, City Council approved ordinance 141-O-08, amending Title 5, Chapter 8 of the Registration of the Rental Registration Building to require a $200 fee for initial inspection and registration of existing dwelling units including accessory dwelling units (ADU's)/coach houses.   
Failure to register your rental property will attract a fine of $75-$375 for renting an unregistered unit. 

Register online: Accessory Dwelling Unit Rental Registration
Printable Form: Accessory Dwelling Unit Rental Registration

Applications submitted without the required documents will not be considered. Upon receipt of the application an invoice for the $200 application fee will be emailed to the applicant.  Review of the application and inspections will not take place until this fee has been remitted.

Properties exempt from rental registration

Properties exempt from rental registration include vacant buildings and lodging establishments already registered with the City of Evanston, buildings licensed and inspected by the State of Illinois or the Government, and buildings owned by governmental agencies or public housing authorities.

RENT Evanston is a city initiative to empower and connect landlords, property owners, and property managers in our city. RENT stands for Rental Empowerment, Networking, and Training. In addition to quarterly newsletters, the City will hold quarterly training sessions and discussions on topics relevant to property management and ownership.

After Hours Communication

For after hours communicable disease or bioterrorism emergencies, please call 847-448-4311 and stay on the line to be connected to someone immediately.

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