Peoria, IL Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- City Code Sec. 13-4
- Weed height trigger
- Over 10 inches
- Notice method
- Newspaper publication, 2 consecutive weeks
- Lien admin fee
- Up to $160.00, plus $40.00 late fee
- First-offense fine
- Not less than $100.00
Summary
Peoria publishes a springtime newspaper notice warning vacant-lot owners that weeds over ten inches, litter, or motor vehicle parts are unlawful, and Sec. 13-4 lets the city cut, spray, or remove them without further individual notice once that publication runs. Owners are billed for the cost.
The city shall cause to be published in a newspaper of general circulation within the city limits once a week for two consecutive weeks during the spring and summer months of each year a notice informing all owners and persons in control of any vacant lot or any lot with an unoccupied structure that the growth of weeds and the existence of litter, or motor vehicle parts on any such lot is contrary to the ordinances of the city. The notice shall further inform the public that should the weeds ever grow to more than ten inches in height, or should litter accumulate, illegal storage is present or motor vehicle parts exist, the city may cut or spray the weeds or remove the litter, illegal storage and motor vehicle parts located thereon without further notice and the owner or person in control shall be liable to the city for its costs. ... Anyone convicted in a court of law of a violation of any act prohibited or declared to be unlawful by this chapter... shall be punished by a fine of not less than $100.00 for the first offense, not less than $200.00 for the second offense, and not less than $500.00 for third or subsequent offense within any two-year period.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 119).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 13-4 requires the city to publish, once a week for two consecutive weeks during spring and summer, a newspaper notice telling every owner or person in control of a vacant lot or a lot with an unoccupied structure that weed growth, litter, and motor vehicle parts on such lots violate the city ordinances. That published notice substitutes for individual notice: it tells the public that once weeds exceed ten inches in height, or litter, illegal storage, or motor vehicle parts appear, the city may cut or spray the weeds or remove the litter and vehicle parts without any further notice, and the owner becomes liable to the city for the cost.
This differs from Sec. 13-3, which governs occupied-structure lots and requires personal service, certified mail, or on-site posting before the city acts. Sec. 00 late fee added if unpaid within 45 days and interest accruing on any filed lien. The corporation counsel must file the lien notice within one year of the abatement work and may foreclose it within three years, and Sec. 13-9 sets service rules requiring certified mail or personal service first, with court summons as the fallback.
Violations & Fines
Sec. 13-10 makes a chapter violation punishable by a fine of not less than $100.00 for a first offense, not less than $200.00 for a second offense within two years, and not less than $500.00 for a third or subsequent offense in that period, plus a $25.00 administrative fee on conviction, though the court can modify the fine for exigent circumstances. A violator may instead pre-settle by paying the fine amount directly to the city treasurer before a court date, which waives the $25.00 fee, but anyone served by summons after certified mail and personal service both fail loses the option to settle and must appear in court.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Peoria notify me individually before mowing a vacant lot I own?
Will I be billed if Peoria cuts weeds on my vacant lot?
What is the fine for repeated vacant-lot weed violations in Peoria?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Peoria
Compare Peoria 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.