Under Section 170.17.15(a) of the Springfield City Code, 1988, as amended, any rank growth of weeds 10 inches or greater in height is a violation. On vacant lots and lots with an unoccupied structure, the city may cut weeds that exceed 10 inches without further notice and bill the owner, with a lien available for the cost.
Springfield sets its overgrowth threshold in Section 170.17.15(a) of the Springfield City Code, 1988, as amended, which declares all rank growth of weeds 10 inches or greater in height a code violation. The City's Building and Zoning / Housing Division enforces the rule and instructs residents to report weeds or tall grass over 10 inches to the Housing Division at (217) 789-2167. For vacant lots and lots with an unoccupied structure, the City publishes a standing 'Vacant Lot Owners Public Notice' that serves as final notice: once weeds exceed 10 inches, the City may cut them without any further individualized notice and the owner becomes liable for the cost, with a lien available against the property. For occupied properties, enforcement generally proceeds through a notice-to-abate process before the City cuts and bills. Note that the often-cited '7-inch' figure in news coverage refers to Springfield, Missouri, not Springfield, Illinois; the operative Springfield, Illinois threshold is 10 inches.
Rank weed/grass growth of 10 inches or more is a code violation. On vacant or unoccupied-structure lots, the city may cut the weeds with no further notice (the public notice being final notice) and charge the owner for the cost; unpaid costs may become a lien against the property. Occupied properties are typically given a notice to abate before the city cuts and bills.
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