The National Register of Historic Places is part of the National Park Service. Four National Register historic districts have been designated in the City of Evanston. They consist of the Northeast, Ridge, Lakeshore and Oakton historic districts.

The City of Evanston's local historic districts consist of the Northeast, Ridge, Lakeshore, and Woman's Christian Temperance Union historic districts.

The City of Evanston has designated certain areas of the city as Tax Increment Financing, or TIF, districts. TIF Districts are established in compliance with State of Illinois statutes. The mechanism is designed to assist financially desirable developments that but for the financial assistance would not be able to achieve.

A Special Service Area (SSA) is defined by Illinois State Statute as a contiguous area within a municipality or county in which special services are provided in addition to those services provided generally throughout the municipality or county. Special services include things like landscaping, advertising, public art, and extra garbage collections. The special services are paid from revenues collected from taxes levied or imposed upon property within that area.

Trash is picked up in the City of Evanston on a four day schedule.

City of Evanston Public Works picks up recycling on a four day cycle.