Evanston, Illinois

Short-Term Rental Regulations — Cook County

Allowed (Permit Required)

STR Status

Permit: Required
✓ Verified against the official ordinance.View source· Last verified 6/19/2026

Permit & Licensing

Permit RequiredYes
License Cost$150 application fee; $250 annual license fee
Renewalannual
Business License RequiredNot specified
WaitlistNot specified

Owner Requirements

Owner Occupancy RequiredNot specified
Primary Residence RequiredNot specified
Insurance RequiredNot specified

Limits & Restrictions

Parking RequiredNot specified

Taxes & Fees

Transient Occupancy Tax / TOTContact city for rates

Official Sources

cityofevanston.org/departments/community_development/building_development_services/property_standards/vacation_rental_license.php
Data confidence: 90%Last updated: June 8, 2026

Short-term rental rules in Evanston, Illinois

Short-term rentals (Airbnb, Vrbo) in Evanston, Illinois are allowed with a permit. Operators must obtain a permit (fee: $150 application fee; $250 ann).

Frequently asked questions

Are short-term rentals allowed in Evanston, Illinois?

Short-term rentals (including Airbnb and Vrbo) are allowed with a permit in Evanston, Illinois.

Do I need a permit to run an Airbnb in Evanston?

A short-term rental permit is required, the fee is $150 application fee; $250 ann.

Where do these Evanston short-term rental rules come from?

These details are verified against Evanston's official short-term rental ordinance and updated when the rules change.

Always verify before you buy. Short-term-rental rules change often and may not be fully current here. Confirm directly with Evanston, Cook County, or Illinois authorities — and consult a qualified attorney — before purchasing property or operating an STR. This is not legal advice.