Contractor Registration

ATTENTION! Licensed Residential Contractors Needed

The goal of the City's Housing Rehabilitation Program is to provide vital health and safety repairs for low- and moderate-income homeowners, helping them achieve long-term housing stability. Registered contractors of all types are needed.

All contractors performing work within City limits are required to register with the City, including but not limited to General Contractors, Electrical, Carpentry, Concrete, Excavation, Masonry, Landscaping, Fence, Roofing and Sign contractors. To obtain the registration, the contractor must apply through the Citizen Portal and provide an original certificate of insurance or policy declaration documenting that the contractor carries general liability insurance with a minimum of three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000.00) per occurrence, bodily injury insurance with a minimum of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) per occurrence, property damage insurance with a minimum of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) per occurrence and workers’ compensation insurance at the statutory minimum amounts.

Fees (renewable annually)
General Contractor: $150
Trade Contractor: $125

Submittal Requirements

➢Complete the application through the Citizen Portal

➢State-Regulated Contractors: submit a copy of the state license

➢Electrical Contractors: submit a copy of an electrical license from a testing municipality

➢Certificate of Insurance (Showing The City of Evanston as Certificate holder)

Insurance Requirements

An original certificate of insurance or policy declaration documenting that the contractor carries general liability insurance with a minimum of three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000.00) per occurrence, bodily injury insurance with a minimum of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) per occurrence, property damage insurance with a minimum of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) per occurrence and workers' compensation insurance at the statutory minimum amounts.

• Exceptions:
  • Sole proprietorships and partnerships with no employees are exempt from the workers' compensation insurance requirement with submission of an affidavit.
  • Contractors required to maintain insurance as part of their State licensure must provide proof of insurance in forms and amounts required by State law.
  • Contractors who are engaged to perform work in the public right-of-way must carry general liability insurance with a minimum of one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) per occurrence and name the City of Evanston as an additional insured.

New Contractor Registration

Please review the Contractor Registration Requirements  document, which provides a table of required documents by type of contractor registration. 

Renewal Requirements

You will need your license number (e.g., 20LICC-0000) and you will be required to upload a valid certificate of insurance. If you do not have your registration number you may search our database using the name of the business to locate it.

Residential Homeowner Affidavit Forms:

 An owner-occupant of a single-unit residence may act as their own general contractor, provided they currently reside in, or intend to reside in, the home.

If owner-occupants are performing the mechanical, electrical or plumbing work, owner affidavit forms are required for each trade.  The affidavits state the owner is knowledgeable of code requirements and will be performing the installation.  If a contractor is hired, the contractor will need to provide proof of licensure to the City and be present for inspections.  Affidavits and corresponding worksheets (i.e., mechanical, electrical, and plumbing worksheets) are required prior to permit issuance.