OFF-CAMPUS LIFE

Evanston offers a wide range of community events that are open to the public! Check out the City of Evanston's calendar for a list of upcoming events and other important news.

For information about voter qualifications, acceptable forms of ID, absentee voting, early voting, voter registration, and where to register to vote, visit:

• City of Evanston's Voter Information webpage
• NU Votes, a non-partisan initiative of Northwestern's Center for Civic Engagement, also provides the Northwestern community with easy, accessible voter registration information for all 50 states.

Avoid Tickets or Towing!!! Here are some preventative resources:

• Residential Parking Permits from the City of Evanston - Residential parking permits are available for high-demand, on-street parking areas throughout Evanston (you can also purchase 1-day passes for friends/guests). You must reside within one of these specific areas in order to purchase a permit exempting you from certain posted regulations. Only residents living within these designated areas can obtain a residential parking permit.
• Residents must also pay an Evanston Wheel Tax if their vehicle is registered to an address in the City of Evanston through the Illinois Secretary of State (City Code 10-8-1). To renew your annual wheel tax payment, or if you're registering a vehicle for the first time, you can pay online here. 
• Sign up for Text Messages Regarding Street Cleaning from the City of Evanston.
• Street Cleaning Information from the City of Evanston - Street cleaning in the City of Evanston is conducted from March 1 to December 15 to eliminate litter, debris, and leaves from the streets. Be sure to check out the map and schedule to avoid having your vehicle ticketed/towed on street cleaning days.

• When winter approaches, be sure to consult the snow parking regulations for the City of Evanston. Cars left on the street during certain times and snow emergencies are subject to tickets and removal.
• If there is a snow emergency, sirens will sound at 8:15pm and the parking ban will begin at 11pm.
• To receive email updates on Snow Emergencies/Parking Bans, sign up for the City of Evanston newsletter.
• You can also sign up for text message notifications on the day of a Snow Emergency/Parking Ban by texting COE SNOW to 468311.

• Excess garbage on residential property is an ordinance violation, so make sure your trash gets picked up properly. Visit the City of Evanston's waste services page for information on trash pick-up days/times and guidelines for proper refuse disposal.
• For the removal of large quantities of trash, or items such as large pieces of furniture, the City requires a special pick-up and charges a fee of $25 for the first three cubic yards of refuse. Call Streets and Sanitation at 311 (or 847-448-4311) within 48 hours of the intended special pick-up date.
• The City of Evanston collects recycling for single-family homes and properties with 4 units or fewer. The City contracts with an outside hauler to service buildings with more than 4 units. Students who live in large apartment buildings should inquire about recycling bin location and collection frequency prior to signing a lease. Northwestern's Office of Sustainability (SustainNU) provides information about off-campus recycling resources in both Evanston and Chicago.

• Pet License - By City Ordinance, all dogs and cats are required to have pet licenses.
• Pooch Park Application - Pooch Park is a 2.7 acre park that is an off-leash fenced dog recreational facility jointly operated by the City of Evanston and Skokie Park District.
• Dog Beach Information - Evanston's Dog Beach is located just north of the Church Street launch facility, where Church Street meets the lake. Admission is restricted to dog owners or handlers with a dog beach pass. Follow the link to learn how to purchase a pass.

Yard sales of all sorts are permitted only in residential zoning districts without a permit (R1R6). Residents are permitted to have yard sales from 8:00am to 6:00pm for no more than three (3) consecutive days. Residents may have up to three (3) such sales within a 12 month period. [Zoning Ordinance: 6483(A)1]

The allowable dates for block parties in Evanston are May 1st through September 30th.

• Lakefront Cement Fire Ring Permit - The Cement Fire Ring is located at the Lakefront area next to the Evanston Art Center.
• Northwestern Bonfire Ring Permit - This bonfire ring is for the use of the Northwestern University students and faculty only.

If you have a burglar or fire alarm system, the City of Evanston requires the purchase of an Alarm Permit that must be renewed annually.