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

Skokie's property maintenance code applies to vacant lots and unoccupied structures. Owners must maintain the lot in a clean condition, cut grass and weeds to keep height below 8 inches, remove accumulated debris and refuse, and control unauthorized dumping. Vacant buildings must be secured to prevent unauthorized entry, with windows and doors intact or properly boarded, and utilities properly disconnected or maintained to prevent deterioration. The Village maintains a vacant building registration requirement that applies when a building has been unoccupied for a specified period (typically 30 to 90 days depending on category). Registration typically includes owner contact information, a property plan addressing security and maintenance, and an annual registration fee that increases the longer the property remains vacant. Failure to register is itself a violation. The Village may perform abatement services (mowing, cleanup, boarding) on unmaintained vacant properties and assess costs as a lien against the property that can be collected through the property tax bill. Fire and police concerns about vacant properties are elevated given risks of squatting, arson, and criminal activity.