HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 11-O-26, Amending Title 9, Chapter 4, Section 7 Restraint of Animals Required to the City Code (1) (1)
2/9/2026
11-O-26
AN ORDINANCE
Amending Portions of Title 9, Chapter 4, Section 7 “Restraint of
Animals Required” of the City Code
WHEREAS, the City Code currently prohibits dogs off leash in any City
park; and
WHEREAS, the City seeks to update the section of the City Code that
formally prohibits dogs off leash in any City park so as not to include dog parks;
WHEREAS, the City will be opening Grey Park Dog Park as an off-leash
designated dog park; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Evanston (the “City”)
determines that it is in the best interest of the City to make these updates to the City
Code.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
EVANSTON, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS:
SECTION 1: City Code Title 9, Chapter 4, Section 7 “Restraint of Animals
Required” of the Evanston City Code of 2012, as amended, is hereby amended to read
as follows:
9-4-7. – RESTRAINT OF ANIMALS REQUIRED.
(A)
(B)
All domestic animals except cats shall be kept under restraint.
It shall be unlawful for any animal, even though on leash, to be or enter upon
any public hall, restaurant, confectionery shop, coffee shop, ice cream or soft
drink establishment, office, store, grocery, meat market, bakery or any store
or shop for the sale of food, except any shop for the sale of animal pets,
anywhere within the City during the time that any of such places or
establishments are open for use by the public or persons entitled to use the
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11-O-26
same. This Section shall not apply to food establishments that comply with
the requirements of Subsection 7-2-6(D)(5)(j)(1) of the Code.
(C)It shall be unlawful for any dog or cat, even though on leash, to go or be upon
any school premises or public bathing beach within the City or upon a path or
sidewalk extending through or within any school premises or public bathing
beach within the City. The foregoing shall not apply to any City-designated
dog beach, as described in Section 7-11-8 of this Code, as amended.
(D)It shall be unlawful for any dog or cat, unless on leash, to go or be upon any
public playground or public park within the City or upon a path or sidewalk
through or within any public park or playground within the City. The foregoing
shall not apply to any City-designated dog park, as described in Section 7-10-
13 of this Code, or City-designated dog beach, as described in Section 7-11-8
of this Code, as amended.
(E)The provisions of this Section shall not apply to working service animals.
SECTION 2: All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are
hereby repealed.
SECTION 3: If any provision of this ordinance or application thereof to
any person or circumstance is held unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, such invalidity
shall not affect other provisions or applications of this ordinance that can be given effect
without the invalid application or provision, and each invalid provision or invalid
application of this ordinance is severable.
Approved:
__________________________, 2026
_______________________________
Daniel Biss, Mayor
Introduced:_________________, 2026February 9
Adopted:___________________February 23 , 2026
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Attest:
_______________________________
Stephanie Mendoza, City Clerk
11-O-26
Approved as to form:
_______________________________
Alexandra B. Ruggie, Corporation Counsel
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