Cook County does not have a wildfire-specific brush clearance ordinance like western states. Property owners must maintain lots free of hazardous vegetation under general property maintenance standards and Chapter 30 environmental provisions.
Unlike western states with wildfire interface zones, Cook County does not have a specific defensible-space or brush-clearance ordinance. However, property owners in unincorporated areas must maintain their properties free of overgrown and hazardous vegetation under general property maintenance standards enforced by the Department of Building and Zoning. Vacant lots must be maintained per the Cook County property maintenance code, including regular mowing and weed control. The Cook County Forest Preserve District manages vegetation on its 70,000+ acres of preserve land. Fire protection districts may issue recommendations for vegetation management near structures. Illinois state fire codes apply to properties in proximity to wildland areas.
Overgrown property: building and zoning violation, $100–$1,000 fine. Vacant lot neglect: separate enforcement action. Each day is a separate offense.
Cook County, IL
Chicago Fair Workweek Ordinance covers fast food and other large employers within Chicago city limits only. Cook County has not extended predictable scheduli...
Cook County, IL
Illinois has not enacted a healthcare worker minimum wage equivalent to California SB 525. Cook County has no industry-specific healthcare wage ordinance. He...
Cook County, IL
Cook County has not adopted a grocery worker premium wage ordinance like Los Angeles GWRO. Illinois state law sets a $15 statewide minimum wage as of January...
Cook County, IL
Illinois has no statewide utensils-on-request statute. Cook County has not adopted countywide rules. Some Cook suburbs including Evanston restrict automatic ...
Cook County, IL
Illinois Eavesdropping Act 720 ILCS 5/14 makes it a felony to record private conversations without consent of all parties. Doorbell cameras with audio captur...
Cook County, IL
Illinois Lead Poisoning Prevention Act 410 ILCS 45 and Cook County Department of Public Health Childhood Lead Program require lead inspections in pre-1978 re...
See how Cook County's brush clearance rules stack up against other locations.
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