Rock Island County, IL Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)

County Code Sec. 34 makes it unlawful for an owner or occupant to let weeds, grass, or other plant growth exceed ten inches in height on a parcel of two acres or less. On a larger parcel that borders a residential or business property, the same ten-inch cap applies for at least 50 feet in from the shared property line, creating a mowed buffer zone, and the Health Authority can also require mowing across the frontage for 50 feet back from the front line. The code defines WEEDS broadly as grasses, annual plants, and other vegetation, but carves out trees, shrubs, and woody plants, plus agricultural crops, ornamental plants, cultivated gardens, native plantings used for wildlife or erosion control, conservation areas, wildlife preserves, public lands, and steep slopes needing dense cover for erosion control.

Separately, all state-designated noxious weeds under 505 ILCS 100/1 are flatly prohibited with no acreage exception. Enforcement runs through the Health Authority: an inspection finding a violation triggers a written notice under Sec. 35 giving the owner ten days to cut, served by mail, personal delivery, or posting on vacant property. If the owner misses that window, Sec. 36 lets the Health Authority have the county cut the weeds and bill the owner, file a lien, seek an injunction through the state's Attorney under Sec.

39, or pursue the fine directly. An owner who thinks compliance would cause undue hardship can request a hearing before the Health Department Administrator within 30 days, and appeal an adverse ruling to the Board of Health.