The following, except when in conjunction with standard farming practices, are declared general nuisances affecting the health and wellbeing of persons residing within the city or adversely affecting those people's property
A. To cause the carcass of any animal or any offal, manure, trash, sewage discharge, garbage, rubble, filthy or putrid substance or any other offensive or annoying substance to be collected, deposited or to remain in any place, public or private, except that household garbage may be stored in containers with fly-tight lids for a period of time not to exceed seven days, and all of the materials listed above may be disposed of in a sanitary landfill which holds a permit issued by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency;
B. To throw or deposit any refuse including but not limited to offal, manure, sewage, garbage, trash, litter, grass clippings or other lawn or garden waste, glass, metal, plastic, cigarettes, debris, rubbish, paper containers or other packing construction material, abandoned and/or unlicensed vehicle (as defined in the Illinois Vehicle Code), motor vehicle parts, furniture, appliances, electronics, oil, any nauseous or offensive matter of any kind, or any object likely to injure any person or create a traffic hazard, in any place, public or private;
C. To corrupt or render unwholesome or impure the water of any spring, river, stream, pond or lake;
D. All ponds and pools of stagnant or organically polluted water in which mosquitoes are breeding;
E. Garbage cans without fly-tight lids or garbage cans in poor repair;
F. The burning of garbage in any manner other than in an incinerator which meets construction standards set forth by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency;
G. Dense smoke, noxious or annoying fumes and odors, vapors, gas, dust, soot, cinders, or other airborne particles in unreasonable or toxic quantities;
H. All buildings, mobile homes, or other structures located in a residential community which have been damaged by fire or have become dilapidated, rundown, or decayed and are so situated as to endanger the health or safety of the public or provide a possible harborage for rodents, insects or other pests;
I. To cause one or more derelict automobiles, trucks or other vehicles of conveyance to remain on any property public or private, except in a salvage yard licensed by the state. A "derelict automobile, truck or other vehicle of conveyance" is defined as that which is not currently licensed for operation or is not in operating condition and is not kept under cover of a hard roof. Covering a vehicle with tarpaulin vinyl cloth or other soft materials is insufficient to comply with the requirement that the vehicle be "kept under a hard roof." Except that any derelict automobile, truck or other vehicle of conveyance, whether undercover or not, which is identified as being a rodent harborage shall be subject to removal from the property;
J. Any manmade hole, cistern, well or other depression made in the surface of the ground which may endanger the health or safety of the public;
K. To deposit, discard or to allow to collect in any residential community discarded lumber, building material, any kind of roofing material, any kind of household furniture, mattresses, beds, bed frames, any kind of household appliances, any kind of vehicle tires, metal of any kind, kitchen or bathroom sinks, cabinets of any kind, bathroom tubs and showers, any kind of lawn mowers, cooking grills, lawn furniture, bags of rubbish, rubble of any kind or any other material on any property public or private, which may endanger the safety of the public or which may be perceived to diminish the value of real estate within 500 yards of such material, or which creates an eye sore for the area.
L. Any building shed, barn, or other structure or any collection of materials or refuse on public or private property located in any residential community maintained in such a manner that rodents, flies and other pests may exist or breed;
M. To maintain within a residential community any kennel, stable, barn, house, coop, pen, yard or any other place where animals, including pets are kept in an unsanitary condition whereupon an odor or insect nuisance is created;
N. It shall be unlawful for any homeowner, renter, business, firm or corporation to have any growth of weeds, grasses, to a height greater than eight (8) inches; provided, however, that this subsection shall not apply to planted and cultivated flowers, shrubbery, or other landscaping. A one-time seven (7) day written notice will be given per calendar year and a second violation within the same calendar year can/may result in a city court notice.
1. It shall be unlawful for any homeowner, renter, person, business, firm or corporation to blow, cast, place, sweep or deposit within the city limits any grass, weeds, leaves, vegetation or other waste matter or rubbish upon any street, sewer, parkway or other public place. A one-time warning will be given, either verbal or written by any city employee per calendar year and a second violation within the same calendar year can/may result in a city court notice.
2. Penalty for violation: Any homeowner, renter, person, business, firm or corporation who violates the provision of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars.
O. Every owner of property shall maintain his or her property so as to prevent the growth of:
1. Vegetation, alternative vegetation, trees or shrubs which prevent the free and unobstructed travel of pedestrians upon sidewalks, or vehicles on streets and alleys, or which otherwise negatively affect traffic or pedestrian’s safety by impairing the visibility or passage of pedestrians or vehicles. Owners shall trim vegetation, alternative vegetation, trees, and shrubs so as to maintain a minimum overhead clearance of eight (8) feet over sidewalks and fourteen (14) feet over streets and alleys at all times;
2. Vegetation, alternative vegetation, shrubs or trees which harbor or aid in the harboring of pests and vermin;
3. Vegetation, alternative vegetation, shrubs or trees harbor or host diseases or insects which may reasonably be expected to injure other forms of life or damage nearby property.
4. Vegetation, alternative vegetation, shrubs or trees, or portions thereof, which by reason of location or condition constitutes an imminent danger to the health, safety, and welfare of any person or property.
(Ord. 2022-10, 2022; Ord. 2022-3, 2021; Ord. 2012-2, 2020: Ord. 2008-9, 2008; Ord. 89-12 § 1, 1989; Ord. 81-54 § 1(A), 1980; Ord. 78-6 § 1 (part), 1977; prior code § 16.120.3)