Evanston amends short‑term rental definition to under 30 days, tables ordinance for final action

Evanston’s City Council amended proposed vacation‑rental rules on Feb. 9 to define short‑term or vacation rentals as “shorter than 30 consecutive days,” then tabled the ordinance for further work and final action at its Feb. 23 meeting.

The change grew out of hours of public comment and an extended council debate. Council member Kelly moved the amendment to restore the traditional less‑than‑30‑day definition that she and several residents said is common in other university communities. That motion passed by roll call. City staff had proposed extending the ordinance’s scope to cover platforms listing stays "of less than one year" to close what staff described as a potential loophole in which multi‑week stays listed on hosting platforms would otherwise escape regulation and tax remittance.

Council and residents raised multiple substantive issues during discussion: whether a 600‑foot separation rule for listings can coexist with a separate rule allowing up to 25% of units in a multiunit building to be short‑term rentals; whether listings longer than 30 days but shorter than a year should be regulated differently; and how hosting platforms or intermediaries would be required to remit hotel/motel taxes. City staff said the draft ordinance treats units listed on short‑term rental platforms as subject to the vacation‑rental rules and that clarifying language could be added to ensure longer platform listings are not treated as unregulated.

Council member Burns moved to table the amended ordinance so staff and council could refine language addressing those open questions; the motion to table to Feb. 23 carried unanimously. Mayor Biss said the Feb. 23 packet will include the ordinance in the amended form adopted on Feb. 9.

What happens next: council asked staff and counsel to produce clarified draft language resolving the 600‑foot vs. 25% rule, confirm tax remittance mechanics for intermediaries, and specify how month‑to‑month or fixed‑term leases interact with platform postings. The matter will return for action Feb. 23.

Quotes from the meeting: “Shorter than 30 consecutive days” — Council member Kelly, proposing the amendment to restore the shorter‑than‑30‑day definition. “We can do that… clarify that it does not apply to month‑to‑month rentals or fixed leases that are registered under Title 5 Chapter 8.” — City staff (response during debate).

Outcome and procedural note: The amendment changing the definition was adopted by roll call and, by unanimous council vote, the ordinance was tabled to Feb. 23 for additional drafting and consideration.