Machesney Park requires property owners to keep grass and weeds at or below 7 inches as part of property-maintenance enforcement. The Village adopted the 2021 ICC International Fire Code (with local amendments) on May 5, 2025 — open burning of landscape waste is regulated under that code and the Winnebago County Health Department's open-burning rules. Code Enforcement (815-877-5432) handles complaints.
Machesney Park's Code of Ordinances includes property-maintenance standards requiring all grass and weeds to be maintained at or below 7 inches in height — this is the practical brush-clearance baseline for residential lots. On May 5, 2025, the Village Board adopted the 2021 ICC International Fire Code with local amendments; that code governs open burning of landscape waste, recreational fires, and outdoor fireplaces. Winnebago County also has open-burning restrictions on materials and times. For larger lots near residential structures, brush within defensible space must typically be removed annually before fire season; tall grass or brush adjacent to a neighbor's property is a common Code Enforcement complaint. Permits for legal landscape burning are issued only in conformity with both the local Fire Code and County Health rules.
Failure to maintain grass/weeds at or below 7 inches results in a Notice of Violation from Code Enforcement; if not abated, the Village can mow the property and assess the cost as a lien. Illegal open burning is a Fire Code violation enforceable by the Village and the County Health Department.
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