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Rock Island County, IL Invasive Plant Rules: Prohibited Species (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Noxious weed ban
All state-declared noxious weeds prohibited
Statute referenced
505 ILCS 100/1 et seq.
General weed height cap
10 inches, § 90.34(A)
Notice-to-cut window
10 days after notice, § 90.35(C)
Max penalty if unspecified
$1,000 fine + 6 months jail, § 10.99

Summary

Rock Island County's health and sanitation code bans every plant Illinois classifies as a noxious weed on any property, county-wide. Section 90.34(C) prohibits noxious weeds outright and ties the definition directly to the state's Noxious Weed Law, giving the county Health Authority the same enforcement teeth it uses against overgrown weeds and grass.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Rock Island County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

(C) Noxious weeds. All noxious weeds shall be prohibited. A NOXIOUS WEED means any plant declared by the state to be a noxious weed pursuant to 505 ILCS 100/1 et seq.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2025 S-1: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. 2024-12-A, passed 12-17-2024; and State legislation current through 2024 Illinois Legislative Service, Pamphlet #6).

Full Breakdown

The noxious-weed ban sits inside a broader weeds-and-grasses standard. 34(A) makes it unlawful to let weeds, grass, or other plant growth exceed ten inches on parcels of two acres or less, and requires at least a 50-foot mowed buffer along residential or business boundaries on larger tracts. 34(B) exempts agricultural crops, ornamental plants, cultivated gardens, and native species plantings used for aesthetics, wildlife promotion, or erosion control from that height rule, along with conservation areas and steep-slope land needing dense vegetation. is banned outright, with no acreage or use exception. 36 letting the county cut the vegetation itself and bill the owner if the deadline passes. 99.

Violations & Fines

Because § 90.34 carries no fine of its own, § 90.99(A) applies the code's general penalty: a fine up to $1,000 per offense under § 10.99, plus confinement in the County Jail for up to six months, unless a specific section sets a lesser maximum. The State's Attorney may also seek an injunction under § 90.39 to restrain a continuing violation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the county ban invasive plants generally, or just tall weeds?
Both, but they're separate rules. Section 90.34(A) caps ordinary weeds and grass at ten inches on most lots, while § 90.34(C) separately and absolutely bans any plant the State of Illinois has designated a noxious weed under 505 ILCS 100/1 et seq., regardless of height.
What happens if I don't cut a cited noxious weed?
The Health Authority can abate the nuisance itself after the notice period expires under § 90.36 and bill the cost back to the owner, on top of whatever fine is assessed under § 90.99 and the general penalty schedule in § 10.99.
Are native or ornamental plantings exempt from the mowing rule?
Yes, for the general height standard. Section 90.34(B) excludes agricultural crops, ornamental plants, cultivated gardens, and native species plantings used for aesthetics, wildlife, or erosion control, though the absolute noxious-weed ban in § 90.34(C) still applies regardless.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Rock Island County

Parking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Height LimitsSome RestrictionsTree-of-Heaven RemovalLight RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Decibel LimitsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSignificant RestrictionsFire Regulations: Propane StorageSome Restrictions

All Rock Island County rules

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