Joliet, IL Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)

Section 20-5(a) defines a 'blight on the surrounding neighborhood' as any property, dwelling, building, or structure meeting at least two of five factors: it has not been lawfully occupied for a year or more; it threatens public health, safety, or welfare; it has been associated with illegal drug activity in the previous twelve months; the building or lot has three or more Code violations within a twelve-month period as determined by the city manager or a designee; or it involves illegal or improper occupancy. Section 20-5(b) bars the owner of a residential structure declared blighted from allowing it to be occupied again until the neighborhood services division signs off.

This declaration sits inside the broader nuisance framework of Chapter 20: Section 20-3 defines public nuisance generally as any condition endangering health or safety or causing blight, and Section 20-4 separately targets exterior storage of debris, junk, unused construction materials after 90 days, and out-of-season equipment left in a haphazard state. Section 20-6 requires a code official to serve written notice describing the violation and setting an abatement deadline of not less than two nor more than ten days. A related but distinct process at Sections 20-21 through 20-30 lets the city placard residential or commercial structures found unfit for habitation because of damage, decay, or unsanitary conditions, order the owner to vacate, and, if the owner doesn't comply, refer the matter to the city council to seek an injunction covering closure, compliance-plan enforcement, or demolition, with abatement costs collectible as a personal judgment against the owner or assessed against the property.