Vacant lots in Des Plaines must be maintained free of tall weeds (typically over 8 inches), accumulated trash, and overgrowth. Owners are responsible for regular mowing and cleanup. Vacant buildings must be properly secured against unauthorized entry under the City's property maintenance code.
Des Plaines requires owners of vacant lots to maintain them in a manner consistent with surrounding developed properties. Grass and weeds must be kept below the City's height limit (commonly 8 inches). Accumulated trash, debris, and dumping must be promptly removed. Owners are typically responsible for the parkway adjacent to the lot as well. Vacant lots that become locations for illegal dumping may be cited even though the owner did not place the material there; the City may bill the owner for cleanup. Vacant buildings on the property must be properly secured with all windows and doors boarded or locked, utilities disconnected as appropriate, and the building registered if the City has a vacant building registry. Owners of vacant property should provide current contact information to Code Enforcement and post no-trespassing signs. Repeated weed or trash violations on the same lot escalate fines under administrative adjudication. The City may abate violations and place a lien on the property if the owner fails to act.
Vacant lot violations may result in a notice from Code Enforcement at (847) 391-5300 with a short deadline (typically 7 to 14 days) for correction. The City may perform abatement and bill the owner, with unpaid charges placed as a lien on the property.
Des Plaines, IL
Des Plaines regulates amplified music under Title 6, Chapter 6 of the City Code. Amplified sound plainly audible at 75 feet during daytime, or audible at the...
Des Plaines, IL
Outdoor music in Des Plaines falls under Title 6, Chapter 6's amplified-sound provisions. Backyard gatherings with amplified music must comply with the 10 PM...
Des Plaines, IL
Des Plaines City Code Title 12 (Zoning) and Title 8 (Building) require residential driveways to be paved with approved hard-surface materials and meet width ...
Des Plaines, IL
Des Plaines prohibits feeding deer, coyotes, raccoons, and other wild animals that creates a nuisance or attracts dangerous wildlife. Bird feeding is general...
Des Plaines, IL
Des Plaines City Code prohibits keeping horses, cattle, swine, sheep, goats, and other livestock in all residential and most commercial districts. Only tradi...
Des Plaines, IL
Des Plaines is not located in any wildfire hazard zone. As a fully developed Chicago suburb in Cook County, the City has no wildland-urban interface designat...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Cook County.
See how other cities in Cook County handle vacant lot maintenance.
See how Des Plaines's vacant lot maintenance rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.