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

Peoria's vacant-property framework is one of the more aggressive in central Illinois, reflecting the City's experience with foreclosure waves in the East Bluff, South Side, and West Bluff neighborhoods. The Residential Property Registration Office (419 Fulton St., Rm. 111, 309-494-8588, rentalregistration@peoriagov.org) administers the program and is responsible for tracking ownership of distressed and vacant parcels for code enforcement and emergency response. New properties must register within 30 days of closing; renewals are due by February 28 annually. Vacant structures must be secured per 2018 IPMC §108 (Unsafe Structures and Equipment) — windows and doors must be boarded or otherwise weather-resistant, utilities disconnected per safety code, and the lot maintained to neighborhood standards. The IPMC §302.4 weed/grass limit (around 10 inches, locally enforced) applies whether the lot is improved or unimproved. The City may mow vacant lots after notice and lien the cost on the tax bill (subject to Illinois Property Tax Code 35 ILCS 200/21-310 procedures). For severely deteriorated vacant structures, Peoria can pursue a demolition order through circuit court under 65 ILCS 5/11-31-1 (Illinois Municipal Code demolition authority); the City Council must approve via resolution and recover costs through a special-assessment lien. Tax-delinquent vacant lots that pass through Peoria County's annual tax sale may be subject to additional county procedures (Tax Assessor / Treasurer's Office). State-level cross-references: 415 ILCS 5 (open dumping on vacant land prohibited), 510 ILCS 5/4 (animal control nuisance), and the Illinois Distressed Property Receivership Act for severely blighted vacancies.