Peoria, IL Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)

Illinois Public Act 102-0974 (the Illinois Native Landscaping Act, HB 4604), effective January 2023 — codified at 65 ILCS 5/11-20-13.1 — limits municipal authority to enforce traditional weed and grass-height ordinances against intentional native landscaping. The statute provides that a managed natural landscape — defined as a planned, intentional, and maintained area of vegetation consisting of one or more native or non-invasive species — cannot be declared a public nuisance solely because the plants exceed local height limits. Property owners must still: (1) maintain the area as a managed natural landscape (not let it become overrun with noxious weeds or invasive species); (2) control invasive and noxious species listed under 505 ILCS 100/; and (3) follow reasonable setback or buffer requirements that municipalities may adopt. Peoria's Chapter 18 (Property Maintenance) at https://library.municode.com/il/peoria already includes an exemption for cultivated landscaping, and the city has not adopted ordinances inconsistent with PA 102-0974. Practical guidance: residents installing native gardens should keep documentation (planting plan, species list, photos), maintain visible edges to demonstrate intentionality, and post a small 'native plant garden' marker if neighbors might complain.