City implements new software to tackle illegal vacation rentals in Eighth Ward

The Evanston Planning and Development Committee meeting on February 24, 2025, highlighted significant concerns regarding illegal vacation rentals in the city, particularly in the Eighth Ward. Council Member Reid raised alarms about the growing number of unregistered short-term rentals, prompting a discussion on the city’s enforcement capabilities and the recent implementation of new software aimed at tracking these properties.

Planning Manager Liz Williams reported that the city has contracted with Granicus, a third-party vendor, to assist in monitoring compliance with short-term rental ordinances. Currently, there are approximately 200 vacation rentals identified in Evanston, but only 34 are officially registered. This discrepancy has raised concerns among residents, leading to complaints about unlicensed rentals operating in their neighborhoods.

To address these issues, the city plans to send out violation notices to non-compliant property owners by March, allowing them 60 days to register and comply with local regulations. The penalty for operating without a license starts at $200, with escalating fines for repeated violations. Williams acknowledged that the current penalty structure is complicated and indicated that staff would be reviewing it for simplification in the coming months.

Council members expressed the need for greater transparency and compliance, suggesting the creation of a public registry of registered rental properties. This would allow residents to easily verify whether nearby properties are compliant with city regulations. While the idea was well-received, it was noted that the city needs time to organize its records before implementing such a list.

The meeting also touched on the previous moratorium on new short-term rentals, which was put in place until the city acquired the necessary software for enforcement. With the new system now operational, the city is poised to move forward with stricter enforcement of its rental regulations.

As the city takes steps to address these pressing issues, residents can expect more proactive measures to ensure compliance and protect the integrity of their neighborhoods. The discussions from this meeting underscore the city’s commitment to tackling the challenges posed by unregulated vacation rentals and enhancing community oversight.