Property Blight: Chicago vs Des Plaines
How do property blight rules compare between Chicago, IL and Des Plaines, IL?
Des Plaines has fewer restrictions than Chicago.
Chicago, IL
Cook County
Chicago aggressively enforces property blight through MCC Chapter 13-12 (vacant buildings), MCC 7-28 (health and safety), and the sanitation code. Vacant properties have additional maintenance requirements including boarding, securing, and exterior upkeep.
View full Chicago rules →Des Plaines, IL
Cook County
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.
View full Des Plaines rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Chicago | Des Plaines |
|---|---|---|
| Code Section | MCC 13-12-125 (vacant), MCC 7-28 (health/safety) | - |
| Weed Limit | 10 inches maximum height | - |
| Vacant Registry | Annual registration required | - |
| Snow Removal | Required even for vacant properties | - |
| Fine Range | $500 - $1,000/day for vacant building violations | - |
| Code | - | IPMC adopted |
| Inoperable Vehicles | - | Prohibited in view |
| Graffiti | - | Prompt removal |
| Vacant Buildings | - | Must be secured |
| Enforcement | - | (847) 391-5300 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Chicago FAQ
How do I report a blighted property in Chicago?
Call 311 or use the CHI 311 app to report blight, including overgrown weeds, accumulated trash, unsecured vacant buildings, or other property maintenance violations.
What are vacant building owners required to do in Chicago?
Under MCC 13-12-125, vacant building owners must secure openings, maintain the roof, keep gutters in repair, shovel snow, prevent trash accumulation, and register with the city's Vacant Building Registry.
Des Plaines FAQ
What counts as blight in Des Plaines?
Peeling paint, broken windows, accumulated trash, inoperable vehicles in view, dead vegetation, structural deterioration, and uncovered graffiti are all property maintenance violations.
Can I store an inoperable car on my property?
Not in public view. Inoperable or unregistered vehicles may not be stored on residential property where visible from the street; they must be enclosed in a garage or removed.
How do I report a blighted property?
Contact Des Plaines Code Enforcement at (847) 391-5300 to file a complaint. The City will inspect and issue a notice of violation if warranted.
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