Evanston, Ill., City Code tit. 5 (2026) § 5-4-1-7
DEFINITIONS (Evanston Housing Regulations)
Operative Text
BOARD OF MANAGERS. The body designated to act on behalf of the unit owners' association. COMMON ELEMENTS. All portions of the property except the units. COMMON EXPENSES. The proposed or actual expenses affecting the property, including reserves, if any, lawfully assessed by the board of managers of the unit owners' association. CONDOMINIUM. Property which is subject to the Illinois Condominium Property Act (765 ILCS 605/1 et seq.) and to this chapter, portions of which are designated for separate ownership and the remainder of which is designated for common ownership solely by the owners of those portions. CONDOMINIUM CONVERSION. A condominium containing units which were wholly or partially occupied before the recording of the declaration. CONDOMINIUM INSTRUMENTS: All documents and authorized amendments, including, but not limited to, the declaration, bylaws, plats and condominium disclosure statements which are required to be filed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. DECLARANT. Any person who plans to execute or has executed the declaration or on whose behalf the declaration is executed. DECLARATION. The instrument by which property is submitted to the provisions of the Illinois Condominium property Act (765 ILCS 605/1 et seq.) and this chapter, as hereinafter provided, and such declaration as from time to time is amended. FILING. The complete submission of all documents required by Subsection 2-3 of this chapter with a stamped date of filing contained thereon. (Ord. No. 12-O-79) MULTIPLE-FAMILY DWELLING. A building containing three (3) or more dwelling units, except for group, row or townhouses. (Ord. No. 48-0-80) OFFERING. Any advertisement, publication, announcement, solicitation or inducement, either written or verbal, by a declarant to promote the purchase of a condominium unit or prospective condominium unit. PERSON. A natural individual, corporation, partnership, trustee or other legal entity capable of holding title to real property. PROPERTY. All the land, property and space comprising the parcel, all improvements and structures erected, constructed or contained therein or thereon, including the building and all easements, rights and appurtenances belonging thereto, and all fixtures and equipment intended for the mutual use, benefit or enjoyment of the unit owners, submitted to the provisions of this Chapter. REGULATIONS. Those regulations promulgated by the City Manager, with review of the City Council. UNIT. A part of the property including one or more rooms, occupying one or more floors or a part or parts thereof, designed and intended for any type of independent use, and having lawful access to a public way. UNIT OWNERS' ASSOCIATION. The association of all of the unit owners, acting pursuant to by-laws through its duly elected Board of Managers. Where not otherwise defined, terms used in this Chapter shall follow the definitions of the State Condominium Property Act.
Section 5-4-1-7 of the Evanston City Code establishes the foundational vocabulary used throughout the city's condominium regulations. It defines key terms such as "condominium," "declarant," "common elements," "condominium conversion," and "unit owners' association," among others, so that these words carry consistent, precise meanings whenever they appear in the chapter. Where a term is not defined here, the provision directs readers to the definitions found in the Illinois Condominium Property Act (765 ILCS 605/1 et seq.). These definitions set the interpretive framework for all rights, obligations, and procedures established elsewhere in the chapter.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating within Evanston's condominium framework should be familiar with the definitions established in § 5-4-1-7, as these terms govern how the rest of the chapter is interpreted and applied. For example, understanding what constitutes a "condominium conversion" or what documents fall under "condominium instruments" is essential for ensuring that filings and disclosures meet the chapter's requirements. Operators acting on behalf of a unit owners' association should also note that the "board of managers" is specifically defined as the body authorized to act on the association's behalf, which has implications for how decisions and assessments are formally made and recorded.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in buildings undergoing or subject to a condominium conversion in Evanston should be aware that § 5-4-1-7 defines the core terms that shape their rights and protections under the chapter. Terms like "condominium conversion" — which covers buildings that were occupied before a declaration was recorded — and "offering" are defined here and carry specific legal weight throughout the rest of the code. Tenants who want to understand how these definitions affect their situation may find it helpful to consult a tenant-rights organization or review the Illinois Condominium Property Act, which supplies additional definitions not covered in this section.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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