Chicago, IL Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)

Any person who owns or controls property within the city must cut or otherwise control all weeds on such property so that the average height of such weeds does not exceed ten inches. Any person who violates this subsection shall be subject to a fine of not less than $600 nor more than $1,200. Each day that such violation continues shall be considered a separate offense to which a separate fine shall apply.

(b)   All weeds which have not been cut or otherwise controlled, and which exceed an average height of ten inches, are hereby declared to be a public nuisance. If any person has been convicted of violating subsection (a) and has not cut or otherwise controlled any weeds as required by this section within ten days after the date of the conviction or finding of liability or judgement, the City may cause any such weeds to be cut at any time. In such event, the person who owns or controls the property on which the weeds are situated shall be liable to the City for any and all costs and expenses incurred by the City in cutting the weeds, plus a penalty of up to three times the amount of the costs and expenses incurred by the City. Such monies may be recovered in an appropriate action instituted by the Corporation Counsel or in a proceeding initiated by the Department of Streets and Sanitation or the Chief Sustainability Officer at the Department of Administrative Hearings. The penalties imposed by this subsection shall be in addition to any other penalty provided by law.