In Crystal Lake, weeds, grass, or plants other than trees, shrubs, flowers, and ornamentals may not exceed eight inches; taller growth is deemed nuisance greenery the owner must cut. On unincorporated McHenry County land, county nuisance and health rules apply instead.
Chapter 526 (Weeds and Nuisance Greenery Control) of the Crystal Lake Code caps weeds, grass, and non-ornamental plants at eight inches citywide. Anything taller is 'nuisance greenery.' The Director of Community Development issues a written abatement notice giving the owner seven days to cut it before the City removes it by contractor and bills the property. Trees, bushes, shrubs, flowers, and other cultivated ornamentals are exempt. Elsewhere in the county, incorporated cities like Woodstock and McHenry set their own limits, while unincorporated parcels answer to McHenry County's nuisance and health-department rules rather than a fixed height.
Owner must cut to eight inches within seven days of written notice. If the City abates, it charges $250 for the first hour and $200 for each added hour, plus fines under Chapter 248; each day is a separate offense.
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See how McHenry County's grass height limits rules stack up against other locations.
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