Invasive Plant Rules in Peoria, IL

Peoria maintains 131 local ordinances across all categories, and 2 of those deal specifically with invasive plant rules. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Peoria falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Prohibited Species

Peoria's landscape ordinance names twelve invasive woody plants, from buckthorn to kudzu, that earn no credit toward a project's landscaping requirements and must be pulled from any development site on an ongoing basis. Most also sit on the Illinois Banned Species List, making them illegal to buy, sell or plant anywhere in the state.

Key details: Species listed: 12 exotic invasive woody plants. Landscaping credit: Zero points if planted or retained. Removal duty: Ongoing removal required from site. State overlap: Most also on Illinois Banned Species List. Applies in: Site landscaping and stream buffer plans.

A site plan or landscape plan that relies on any of the twelve banned species for required points is rejected outright, since the code awards zero credit for them; existing plantings must be removed on an ongoing basis. Because these species also appear on the state's Illinois Banned Species List, buying, selling or planting them anywhere in Peoria separately violates state law, independent of the local landscaping review.

This is one of the stricter rules in Peoria's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Tree-of-Heaven Removal

Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) tops Peoria's list of invasive species excluded from the city's protected stream buffers. Section 8.6.11 flags it as exceptionally invasive and damaging to native ecosystems, and most of the plants on that list, Tree of Heaven included, are illegal to buy, sell or plant anywhere in Illinois.

Key details: Listed rank: #1 on the stream buffer banned list. Buffer width: 30-50 ft, by watershed size. Also banned in: General landscaping (Sec. 8.2.13.C). Civil penalty: Up to $1,000/day per violation. Restoration damages: 2x cost of buffer restoration.

Buffer violations, including planting or retaining Tree of Heaven in a required stream buffer, draw a correction notice and abatement deadline from the Director of Community Development; unresolved violations escalate to a citation carrying a civil penalty up to $1,000.00 per day, a criminal fine up to $1,000.00 or 90 days imprisonment, and civil damages equal to twice the cost of restoring the buffer.

This is one of the stricter rules in Peoria's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

The Bottom Line

Peoria is tougher than many cities when it comes to invasive plant rules. Out of the 2 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Peoria, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

This guide is based on Peoria's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.