Chapter 17: Vegetation, Grass, Weeds

Sec. 17-1. Certain Weeds Prohibited; Declared a Nuisance

Any weeds such as Jimson, burdock, ragweed, thistle, cocklebur, or other weeds of a like kind, found
growing in any lot or tract of land in the Village are hereby declared to be a nuisance, and it shall be unlawful
to permit any such weeds to grow or remain on any such place.

Sec. 17 -2. Excessive Height of Weeds, Plants , Grass, Underbrush and Overgrowth Prohibited and
Declared a Nuisance.

It shall be unlawful for any person to permit any weeds, grass, plants, underbrush or overgrowth
other than trees, bushes, flowers or other ornamental plants to grow to a height exceeding six (6)
inches anywhere in the Village. Any such plants or weeds exceeding such height are hereby declared
to be a nuisance.” (Ord. 2006-4; 6/26/06, revised 7/10/23)

Sec. 17-3. Barberry Bushes Prohibited; Declared a Nuisance

It shall be unlawful and is hereby declared a nuisance for any person to plant or permit the growth of the
bush of the tall, common or European barberry, further known as Berberis Vulgaris or its horticultural
varieties, within the Village.

Sec. 17-4. Notice to Abate Unlawful Weeds and Plants

It shall be the duty of the health officer or official appointed by the Village President and approved by the
Board of trustees to serve or cause to be served notice upon the person to whom was sent the tax bill for the
general taxes on the property for the last preceding year of any premises on which weeds, grass or plants are
permitted to grow in violation of the provisions of this article, and to demand the abatement of the nuisance
within five (5) days. (Ord. 2006-4; 6/26/06)

Sec. 17-5. Abatement by Village; Charges; Lien

If the person served with a notice pursuant to this article does not abate the nuisance within five (5) days
after receiving the notice, the health officer may proceed to abate the nuisance. Notice may be served
personally or by regular first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the persons to whom was sent the tax
bill for the general taxes on the property for the last preceding year. Notice served by regular mail will be
deemed to have been received on the second day after being mailed. After the village mows each lot, the health
officer shall again serve notice upon the person to whom was sent the tax bill for the general taxes on the
property for the last preceding year stating the substance of the foregoing sections and informing him of the
Article -thru-
xv.I In General 17-1 17-15
II Trees & Shrubs 17-16 17-29
Div. I: Generally 17-16 17-26
IV Div II: Planting in Public Places 17-27 17-29

charge for mowing each such lot. This notice served subsequent to the lot being mowed shall be served
personally upon, or sent by certified mail to, the person to whim was sent the tax bill for the general taxes on
the property for the last preceding year. Each lot mowed by the village or its agents shall be charged a sum of
not less than Two Hundred Fifty ($250.00) Dollars but not more than Seven Hundred Fifty ($750.00) Dollars
per lot and the charge shall be a lien on the premises until paid." (Ord. 2022-15; 10/24/22)

State law reference - Authority of Village to provide for destruction of weeds at the expense of the owner of the
property upon which the weeds are growing, 65 ILCS 5/11-20-7.

Sec. 17-6. - 17-15. Reserved

Sec. 17-16. Injuring Trees Generally

It shall be unlawful for any person to injure any tree or shrub planted or growing in any public place.

Sec. 17-17. Injury of Trees by Wires and Poles

a. It shall be unlawful for any person to attach any wire or rope to any tree or shrub in any public street,
parkway or other public place without the permission of the Board of trustees.

b. Any person or company which maintains poles or wires in the streets, alleys or other public places of
the Village shall, in the absence of provision in the franchise concerning the subject, keep such wires
and poles away from any trees and shrubs in such places so far as may be possible.

Sec. 17-18. Gas Leaks

Any person maintaining any gas pipe in the Village shall keep the gas pipes free from leaks so that no
injury shall be done thereby to any trees or shrubs.

Sec. 17-19. Care to be Taken to Avoid Injury When Making Excavations

In making excavations in streets or other public places proper care shall be taken to avoid injury, if
possible, to the roots of any tree or shrub.

Sec. 17-20. Removal from Public Property: Permit Required; Issuance

It shall be unlawful to remove or cut down any tree or shrub in any such public place without having
secured a permit therefore. Applications for such permits shall be made to the Village Clerk and shall be
referred to the Board of Trustees before issuance.
Cross-reference - Permits generally, 10-1 et seq.

Sec. 17-21. Duty to Trim or Remove Dangerous Tree; Trimming and Removal by Village; Lien

a. Any tree or shrub which overhangs any sidewalk, street or other public place in the Village in such a
way as to impede or interfere with traffic or travel shall be trimmed by the owner of the abutting
premises or of the premises on which such tree or shrub grows so that the obstruction shall cease.

b. Any tree or limb of a tree which has become likely to fall on or across any public place or way by
reason of disease, age or any other reason shall be removed by the owner of the premises on which
such tree grows or stands.

c. Upon failure of the owner of any premises to comply with this section, the superintendent of public
works may trim any such tree or shrub or remove any such tree or branch thereof so that the
obstruction or danger to traffic or passage shall be eliminated. He shall keep an account of the expense
of the same and such expense shall be charged to the owner of the premises and shall be a lien on the
premises until paid.

Sec. 17-22. Private Plantings

Private plantings shall be kept trimmed by the adjacent property owner so that no stems, leaves, or other
parts of a plant or vegetation lay upon, across, or extend over a public sidewalk, curb, right -of-way, or edge of
pavement. For purposes of the Section, the placement of plantings and shrubs shall be at the sole risk and
expense of the adjacent private property owner of the premises whose property fronts the right -of-way where
such plantings are located. (Ord. 2018-17; 10/22/18)

Sec. 17-23. Proximity of Trees to Property Line

Trees, plants, and any form of shrubbery three (3) feet in height and under shall not be planted within two
(2) feet of any property line. Trees, plants, and any form of shrubbery more than three (3) feet in height shall
not be planted within ten (10) feet of any property line. (Ord. 2019-8; 7/8/19)

17-24 - 17-36. Reserved.

Sec. 17-27. Permit Required

It shall be unlawful to plant any tree or bush in any public place, street or parkway without having secured
a permit therefore.

Cross-reference - Permits generally, 10-1 et seq.

Sec. 17-28. Application for Permit

Applications for a permit required by this article shall be made to the Village Clerk and shall be referred
by him to the superintendent of public works before issuance.

Sec. 17-29. Supervision of Planting Operations

All trees and shrubs planted in public places shall be placed subject to the directions and approval of the
Superintendent of Public Works.