The Galesburg Community Development Department is responsible for code compliance in the City of Galesburg, including property maintenance. Guidelines for yard maintenance standards in Galesburg are provided below.
Responsibility: Property owners and occupants are responsible for maintaining their property, including the terrace, by mowing grass, trimming weeds, and preventing excessive growth of vegetation and volunteer trees.
Lawn Maintenance Guidelines: Galesburg Municipal Code Section 94 requires grass and weeds to be trimmed and should not exceed a maximum height of 12 inches.
Notices: Owners found to be in violation of the yard maintenance ordinance (grass or weeds over 12 inches) will receive one notice per mowing season for tall grass or weeds.
Timeframe: The notice will provide five days to correct the violation.
Remedies: If a property is not brought into compliance within five days, the City, or its designee, may perform the necessary work to address the violation, such as mowing the lawn. The owner will receive a bill that includes the actual cost of the work plus an administrative fee. If left unpaid, the City may apply late fees or place a lien on the property.
Repeat Violations: Property owners will receive one violation notice per mowing season. For subsequent violations within the same mowing season, the City may proceed with maintenance without additional notices, and the owner will be billed for each instance.
Reporting Concerns: Concerns regarding overgrown lawns or weeds can be submitted to the City online or by calling (309) 345-3634 or (309) 345-3619. City inspectors typically respond within one business day.
Other Nuisance Complaints: This article specifically covers standards related to grass and weeds. For information regarding other types of nuisance complaints, such as trash and debris, please visit the City’s website or contact Eric Heiden, Code Compliance Supervisor, at (309) 345-3634.
Why It Matters: Grass and weed violations are the most frequently reported nuisance concerns by residents in the city. Additionally, in a recent community survey, residents selected increased enforcement of property maintenance as one of the top three services that should receive more emphasis. Consistent lawn care helps maintain the beauty of our neighborhoods and contributes to a healthy environment by preventing pests.
Questions? For more information on lawn care regulations, contact Eric Heiden, Code Compliance Supervisor, at (309) 345-3634.
