Bloomington, IL Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)

Section 21-804, in Article VIII (Weeds and Other Vegetation) of Chapter 21, the Refuse Code, covers grass and plants other than trees, bushes, flowers, agricultural or other ornamental plants. It bars an owner of real estate from permitting that growth to exceed eight inches anywhere in the City, and it declares anything over that height a nuisance. The duty sits on the owner: the section says an owner does not have to have knowledge of the growth to be in violation. Ordinance No. 2003-91 is the history note on the section. Section 21-801 sets the reach of the article as the maintenance of weeds and other vegetation in the City of Bloomington.

Section 28-172, in Chapter 28 (Misdemeanors), is a separate weed provision. Subsection A reaches any owner, lessee or occupant, or an agent, servant, representative or employee of one, who has control of a lot of ground or any part of a lot and who allows or maintains a growth of weeds to a height of over one foot. That person is guilty of a misdemeanor. Subsection B defines weeds to include all rank vegetable growth which exhales unpleasant and noxious odors, and also high and rank vegetable growth capable of concealing filthy deposits. Subsection C makes it a misdemeanor to suffer or permit cockleburs, thistles, burdock, wild lettuce or other noxious weeds or plant to grow on premises in the City owned or controlled by that person.

The two sections print different figures. Section 21-804 says eight inches for the grass and plants it covers, anywhere in the City. Section 28-172(A) says over one foot for weeds on a lot.

Article VIII adds related duties for the same owner. Section 21-802 declares weeds such as jimson, burdock, ragweed, thistle and cocklebur a nuisance. Section 21-805 prohibits overgrowth that harms neighboring properties or property values, creates a hazard to pedestrian or vehicular traffic, or is likely to harbor rats, vermin, mosquitoes and other nuisances. Section 21-806 prohibits dead trees, dead bushes, dead weeds and other dead vegetation. Section 21-808 prohibits landscape or garden waste, and section 21-809 prohibits mosquito harborage.