How Des Plaines Handles Property Maintenance: A Practical Guide

Des Plaines maintains 135 local ordinances across all categories, and 5 of those deal specifically with property maintenance. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Des Plaines falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Property Blight

Des Plaines's property maintenance code, based on the International Property Maintenance Code, requires owners to keep buildings and yards free of blight including peeling paint, broken windows, accumulated debris, inoperable vehicles, and structural deterioration. Code Enforcement responds to complaints and may require corrective action.

Key details: Code: IPMC adopted. Inoperable Vehicles: Prohibited in view. Graffiti: Prompt removal. Vacant Buildings: Must be secured. Enforcement: (847) 391-5300.

Property maintenance violations may result in a notice from Code Enforcement at (847) 391-5300 with deadlines for correction. Fines typically begin at $50 to $100 per day. Persistent violations may result in administrative adjudication, court action, or City abatement with a lien on the property.

Garage Sale Rules

Des Plaines permits residential garage and yard sales without a permit but limits frequency (typically no more than 2-4 sales per address per year), duration (commonly 3 consecutive days), and hours (daytime only). Signs may not be placed in the public right-of-way.

Key details: Permit: Generally not required. Frequency: 2-4 per year. Duration: 3 days max. Hours: Daytime. Signs: No right-of-way.

Exceeding garage sale frequency or duration limits, blocking the right-of-way, or operating sales at unreasonable hours may result in a notice from Code Enforcement at (847) 391-5300. Fines typically begin at $50 for first violations.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Des Plaines gives residents more flexibility on garage sale rules.

Snow & Sidewalk Clearing

Des Plaines requires property owners to clear snow and ice from public sidewalks adjacent to their property within a reasonable time after a snowfall ends, typically 24 hours. Snow may not be shoveled or blown into the public street. Salt or other ice melt is encouraged for slip prevention.

Key details: Clearance Time: 24 hours typical. Path Width: 36 inches min. Snow in Street: Prohibited. City Plows Sidewalks: No. Good Samaritan: 745 ILCS 75.

Failure to clear sidewalks may result in a complaint-driven notice from Code Enforcement at (847) 391-5300 and fines beginning at $50. Pushing snow into the street is a separate violation and a hazard. Property owners may also face civil liability for slip-and-fall injuries on uncleared sidewalks.

Trash Bin Storage

Des Plaines residents must store trash and recycling bins out of public view between collection days, typically alongside or behind the house. Bins may be placed at the curb the evening before pickup and must be returned to storage by the end of the collection day.

Key details: Storage: Out of front view. Curb Out: Evening before pickup. Curb In: End of pickup day. Lids: Must be closed. Hauler Contact: (847) 391-5390.

Storing trash bins in the front yard, leaving them at the curb beyond pickup day, or maintaining damaged or overflowing containers may result in a notice from Code Enforcement at (847) 391-5300. Fines typically begin at $50 for a first violation and escalate.

Vacant Lot Maintenance

Vacant lots in Des Plaines follow the same six-inch vegetation limit as every other property. City Code section 5-5-4 declares weeds, grass or plants over six inches a nuisance, and the city may cut and bill.

Key details: Height limit: Six inches. Code section: Des Plaines Code 5-5-4. Applies to: All lots, vacant included. City may: Cut and bill the owner. Penalty: Up to $750 per offence.

Violations are fined under the general penalty at section 1-4-1, up to 750 dollars for each offence with each day a separate offence, and the city may cut the growth and bill the owner.

The Bottom Line

Des Plaines's property maintenance rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Des Plaines is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Des Plaines can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.