Do I need a permit for shed or accessory structure in Evanston?

Most likely yes. Shed or accessory structure usually requires a permit in Illinois. Confirm the specifics with Evanston.

Illinois has no single statewide shed threshold, so the 200 square foot figure quoted from the model International Residential Code does not govern here. Requirements are set by each municipality, and the ones we have checked are stricter than that figure: Wheaton does not require a building permit for a shed of 120 square feet or less, and Joliet requires a shed permit with a Residential Accessory Structures Review Form and a plat of survey showing the shed location. Assume the local number rather than a national one, and ask your building department for the threshold that applies at your address before you buy the shed. Zoning setbacks, easements and lot coverage still apply where no building permit is needed, and running electrical or plumbing to the shed triggers its own permit. Evanston reviews accessory structures such as sheds and detached garages for zoning compliance, and a shed generally needs a permit and must meet the City's accessory-structure setback and lot-coverage rules in the Evanston Zoning Ordinance. Confirm the current size threshold and whether a very small shed is exempt with Evanston Building and Development Services. A plat of survey showing the proposed shed and its distance to property lines is normally required so staff can verify setbacks before the permit is issued. Landmark properties and homes in a historic district need a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Preservation Commission (or administrative preservation review for minor work) before a permit for a new accessory structure is issued.