On Monday, June 06, 2011, the Des Plaines City Council approved an ordinance that would ultimately help maintain the appearance of the community, as well as secure property values. Ordinance M-20-11 further regulates the “height of grass and noxious weeds,” an issue that has become all the more significant in economic times when foreclosures are so prevalent throughout the northwest suburbs.
The new ordinance shortens the time, from 10 to 5 days, that inspectors give property owners or financial institutions, responsible for property within the City, to correct overgrown vegetation before the City initiates enforecement actions, including mowing. The notification would apply to properties where grass and weeds have been allowed to grow over 6 inches and would be made by means of a door hanger ordering that vegetation would need to be trimmed within 5 days.
Ordinance M-20-11 states: “ If the person so served does not abate the nuisance within five (5) days, the director of community and economic development may proceed to abate such nuisance, keeping an account of the expense of same. The city may record a lien against the property, or take such other action (s) as the city manager deems appropriate to recover the costs that the city has incurred to bring the property into compliance with the provisions…, plus a 25% administrative fee, including but not limited to, listing the costs with the director of finance as a fine or fee due the city…”
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“We feel that this ordinance change is warranted to help maintain the health of our community, as well as to stabilize property values in these economically challenging times,” Director of Community and Economic Development Michael Bartholomew said.
For additional information call 847-391-5380.
