9 rules for unincorporated St. Clair County, Illinois.
Verified from official government sources
In unincorporated St. Clair County, letting weeds or grass on a residential subdivision lot exceed eight inches is a declared nuisance. Owners must cut within 10 days of a mailed notice or the county cuts it and bills them.
St. Clair County Code 25-1-2 (Declared Nuisance)
It is hereby declared to be a nuisance for the owner or owners of subdivision lots in residential areas in the unincorporated areas of the County or any part thereof, to refuse or neglect to cut weeds ... when such weeds have reached a height in excess of eight (8) inches.
St. Clair County sets no ordinance governing how residents trim trees on their own unincorporated private land. Trimming of street trees or trees on public land, and any city tree rules, are handled by the relevant municipality or public-works department, not the county.
St. Clair County does not require a permit to remove trees on private unincorporated land, and has no county tree-preservation ordinance. Removing trees on public land or street/parkway trees requires municipal permission. Inside cities, check that municipality's tree rules.
St. Clair County Code Chapter 25 names specific weeds (ragweed, thistle, poison ivy, Johnson grass and others) and declares them a nuisance on unincorporated residential lots once over eight inches. Illinois' Noxious Weed Law adds a statewide duty to control listed noxious weeds.
St. Clair County Code 25-1-1 (Definition of Weeds)
"Weeds" as used in this Code shall include, but not be limited to the following: Burdock, Ragweed (giant), Ragweed (Common), Thistle, Cocklebur, Jimson, Blue Vervain, Common Milk Weed, Wild Carrot, Poison Ivy, Wild Mustard ... and Johnson Grass and all other grass or noxious weeds.
St. Clair County imposes no countywide lawn-watering or drought restrictions. Any watering limits come from your water utility (largely Illinois American Water) or your municipality. Utilities set conservation appeals and any mandatory restrictions during shortages.
St. Clair County has no rainwater ordinance. Illinois' Rainwater Capture Act allows capturing and reusing rainwater for non-potable uses statewide. Systems must follow the Illinois Plumbing Code, and larger systems (over 5,000 gallons) need plan approval before installation.
St. Clair County has no ordinance requiring or restricting native plants or prairie/naturalized landscaping. The only limit is the weed nuisance rule: plants left over eight inches on unincorporated residential lots can be cited unless they are an intentional, maintained planting.
St. Clair County has no ordinance addressing artificial turf, so installing synthetic grass in an unincorporated yard is not prohibited. Drainage, setbacks and any structural base must still comply with county stormwater and zoning rules; cities may set their own turf standards.
St. Clair County has no rule against backyard composting. Statewide, Illinois bans landscape waste (leaves, grass, brush) from sanitary landfills under 415 ILCS 5/22.22, which is why composting, mulching and yard-waste collection are used instead. Keep piles from becoming a nuisance.
415 ILCS 5/22.22(c) (Illinois Environmental Protection Act)
No owner or operator of a sanitary landfill shall accept landscape waste for final disposal.
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