Peoria County, IL Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Peoria County Code § 12-21(u), amending IPMC § 110.1
- Trigger
- Dilapidated, dangerous, unsafe, or unfit structure
- Owner's choice
- Repair and make safe, or demolish
- Notice before court demolition
- At least 15 days (§ 110.3)
- Court authority
- Circuit court order under 55 ILCS 5/5-1121
- Applies
- Unincorporated Peoria County only
Summary
When a structure in unincorporated Peoria County is so dilapidated, dangerous, unsafe, or unfit for occupancy that repair is unreasonable, Peoria County Code Section 12-21(u) lets the code official order the owner to demolish and remove it, or to repair and make it safe if that's feasible.
110.1. General. The code official shall order the owner of any premises upon which is located any structure, which in the code official's judgment is so old, dilapidated or has become so out of repair as to be dangerous, unsafe, unsanitary or otherwise unfit for human habitation or occupancy, and such that it is unreasonable to repair the structure, to demolish and remove such structure; or if such structure is capable of being made safe by repairs, to repair and make safe and sanitary or to demolish and remove at the owner's option; or where there has been a cessation of normal construction of any structure for a period of more than two years, to demolish and remove such structure. ... 110.3. Failure to comply. If the owner of a premises fails to comply with a demolition order within the time prescribed, which shall not be less than 15 days' notice, the code official shall request the State's Attorney's Office to apply to the circuit court for an order of demolition pursuant to Section 5-1121 of the Counties Code (55 ILCS 5/5-1121).
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 52).
Full Breakdown
Section 12-21 amends the adopted 2018 International Property Maintenance Code. 1 to authorize the code official, who under Section 12-21(b) heads the county's Department of Property Maintenance as the Director of Planning and Zoning, to order the owner of any premises with a structure judged so old, dilapidated, or out of repair as to be dangerous, unsafe, unsanitary, or unfit for human habitation to demolish and remove it. If the structure can instead be made safe by repairs, the owner chooses between repairing it or demolishing and removing it.
The same order power reaches structures left unfinished for more than two years due to a cessation of normal construction. 2. Appeals go to the county's Board of Appeals, which follows the procedures in Section 109 of the 2018 International Mechanical Code (Section 12-21(w)). 3 must be at least 15 days, the code official asks the State's Attorney's Office to petition the circuit court for a demolition order under Section 5-1121 of the Illinois Counties Code (55 ILCS 5/5-1121). This chapter applies only in unincorporated Peoria County under Section 12-1(a).
Violations & Fines
Ignoring a Section 110.1 order is enforceable under Section 12-6(a) as a petty offense carrying a fine of up to $1,000, assessed per day the violation continues. If the owner doesn't repair or demolish within the notice period of at least 15 days, the code official has the State's Attorney petition the circuit court for a court-ordered demolition under 55 ILCS 5/5-1121, with the county's costs recoverable as a lien against the property. Repeat offenders at the same property within 36 months can instead be served a Notice to Appear under Section 12-6(f).
Frequently Asked Questions
Who decides a building is unsafe enough to demolish?
Can the owner choose to repair instead of demolishing?
What happens if the owner ignores the demolition order?
Does a half-finished, abandoned building qualify?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Peoria County
Compare Peoria County to another location·View the Illinois property maintenance overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.