Bloomington, IL Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)

Bloomington City Code Chapter 21, Article VIII, regulates weeds and vegetation on all real estate in the City. Section 21-802 declares named noxious weeds, including jimson, burdock, ragweed, thistle and cocklebur, a nuisance wherever found, and makes it each owner's duty to keep such growth off the property regardless of whether the owner knew about it. Section 21-804 sets the operative height limit: grass or other plants other than trees, bushes, flowers, or agricultural and ornamental plants may not exceed eight inches anywhere in the City, and any growth over that height is a declared nuisance without any notice requirement to trigger the violation.

Sections 21-805 through 21-809 add overgrown vegetation that harbors rats, vermin or mosquitoes, dead trees and dead vegetation, unmaintained landscape vegetation, and accumulated landscape or garden waste to the list of prohibited conditions. Enforcement under § 21-811 runs through the Director of the Economic & Community Development Department or the Director of Public Works: a written notice (or posting, if the owner cannot be located) sets a deadline to cut or remove the growth; missing that deadline lets the City abate the violation itself, charge the owner the cost plus an administrative fee under the Schedule of Fees, and record both as a lien on the property, enforceable in Circuit Court under § 21-903 and § 21-904.