🎯 STRisker: Bulletin - Evanston, IL
Short-Term Rentals Under the Microscope: Evanston Extends Moratorium as Cap Moves Forward
Hitting the Reset Button: Evanston Extends STR Freeze to Shape New Rules
Evanston isn’t rushing its short-term rental decisions. This week, the City Council voted to extend the citywide moratorium on new or renewed short-term rental licenses through early March, giving officials the time they say they need to sort through a detailed proposal that would reshape how STRs operate in the city. The original moratorium, first enacted in September, was set to expire on Dec. 8, but city leaders agreed that more reflection and more public conversation is needed.
The conversation is being guided by Ald. Matt Rodgers (8th), who introduced a new ordinance aiming to place a firm cap on the number of vacation rentals allowed. The proposed formula, one STR for every 80 long-term rental units, puts Evanston’s future limit at 180 STRs, given the city’s 14,455 long-term units. It’s a structure that gives the city a clear upper boundary while still allowing some room for growth within that cap.
City staff have identified 135 active STR listings, 78 of which are licensed. Only 12 are non-owner-occupied, a category that has historically raised the most concerns among neighbors and officials. Although some earlier discussions hinted at a potential ban on non-owner-occupied units, the latest proposal takes a different approach. Rather than eliminating them, the new ordinance would require property managers to be local, either living in Evanston or operating an office within 10 miles. Officials say this helps ensure quicker response times and better oversight.
Rodgers asked the council to table the ordinance until mid-January, a move supported by council members who want more time to revisit specifics and gather additional feedback. With the moratorium now extended to early March, Evanston effectively has a clear timeline: winter is for fine-tuning, and early spring is likely when the new rules will begin taking shape.
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Throughout the conversation, the emphasis has been on striking a balance—supporting responsible short-term rental operators while addressing neighborhood concerns about noise, safety, and housing availability. The upcoming discussions are expected to include how license tracking will work, what enforcement will look like, and how Evanston will adapt if STR demand grows after the cap is set.
As the mid-January meeting approaches, residents and hosts have a key window to watch or participate in shaping the new framework.
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