Rock Island County, IL Public Health Rules: Rodent Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing sections
- § 90.31, § 90.32, § 90.99(D)
- Enforcing office
- County Health Authority / Board of Health
- First offense fine
- Up to $100 (petty offense)
- Repeat offense
- Class B misdemeanor
- Notice period
- Written notice with remedial deadline
- Abatement option
- Health Authority can abate and lien property
Summary
Rock Island County's Health Nuisances ordinance makes it unlawful to let rats, flies, or other vermin infest a property, or to store debris, tires, or open containers in a way that harbors rodents. The County Board of Health's Health Authority investigates complaints and can order the condition abated.
A health nuisance includes any act, omission to act, or condition on any property which may: (1) Cause injury; (2) Prejudice health or safety; or (3) Diminish the quality of life of one or more persons or may degrade the environment. Such acts, omissions, or conditions include, but shall not be limited to, the following: ... (5) The presence of pest infestations, rats, flies, or other vermin on a property or within a structure; ... (11) To store, dump, or permit the accumulation of debris, refuse, garbage, trash, tires, buckets, cans, wheelbarrows, garbage cans, or other containers in a manner that may harbor mosquitoes, flies, insects, rodents, nuisance birds, or other animal pests that are offensive, injurious, or dangerous to the health of individuals or the public;
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2025 S-1: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. 2024-12-A, passed 12-17-2024; and State legislation current through 2024 Illinois Legislative Service, Pamphlet #6).
Full Breakdown
31 of the county's Health Nuisances ordinance defines a health nuisance as any condition that may cause injury, prejudice health or safety, or diminish quality of life, and specifically lists 'the presence of pest infestations, rats, flies, or other vermin on a property or within a structure' as division (5), plus a separate ban in division (11) on storing debris, refuse, garbage, tires, buckets, or similar containers in a way that harbors mosquitoes, flies, insects, rodents, or nuisance birds. 32 makes causing or allowing any such health nuisance unlawful anywhere in the county, public or private property alike, and empowers the Health Authority, the person designated by the County Board of Health, to investigate on complaint or its own initiative.
33 gives Health Department inspectors the right to enter property at reasonable times to check for compliance, subject to constitutional limits, and requires owners and occupants to give access on request. 39, or, for weed-related nuisances, cut the vegetation itself and bill the owner, filing a lien if the bill goes unpaid.
Violations & Fines
A first violation of § 90.31 is a petty offense carrying a fine of up to $100; a repeat violation becomes a Class B misdemeanor. The court may also order the Sheriff or another officer to abate the nuisance itself at the violator's expense, and it is no defense that the condition existed under a state-law permission. Each day a § 90.31 violation continues is a separate offense under § 90.99(D).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to let rats or vermin infest my property in Rock Island County?
Can storing junk in my yard get me cited for a rodent problem?
What happens after the county issues a notice about a rodent nuisance?
What is the fine for a rodent nuisance violation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rock Island County
Compare Rock Island County to another location·View the Illinois public health rules overview
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