Code Enforcement

• 2021 International Property Maintenance Codes
• City Amendments to 2021 Property Maintenance Code
• Zoning Information
• Building Code Information
• Municipal Codebook

Code Enforcement serves both citizens requesting enforcement and property owners that are subject to the enforcement. For this reason, the City follows a set process to respond to all complaints received.

The goal of Code Enforcement is to obtain voluntary compliance with code standards. Property owners may not be aware of code requirements, and the City provides an opportunity for owners to be informed of requirements and take action to correct the issue before a formal notice or violation issued.

Enforcement includes assisting property owners to understand how to achieve compliance, and what processes to follow for City approvals.

The City may grant additional time to property owners that demonstrate a good faith effort to address an issue.

For repeated issues where a property owner was previously notified, the City may reduce the time period for compliance.

1. Issue Observed

Items may be communicated to Code Enforcement via phone, email, in person, or through the City’s customer service portal. Items may also be observed by a City Inspector. For every item submitted to Code Enforcement, an inspector is assigned to investigate.

2. Inspection 

• If no code violation is found:
  • Document and close case
  • Respond to complainant that no violation exists (if contact information is available)
• If a code violation is verified:
  • Life-Safety Issues: A Notice of Violation is issued
  • Non-Life-Safety Issues: Verbal notification or written courtesy notice to property owner, requesting compliance, typically 14 days depending on the complexity of the violation

3. Notice of Violation

• If the verbal or courtesy notice does not result in compliance within the requested date, a formal “Notice of Violation” is written and mailed to owner of property where violation exists.
• A reasonable amount of time is provided to correct the violation, typically 7 to 14 days, depending on the complexity of the violation

4. Follow up Inspection

• In Compliance
  • Document Compliance
  • Close case
• Not in Compliance
  • Consider whether an extension is warranted
  • Issue Summons / Citation

5. Summons/ Citation

• A summons / citation is written and mailed to the property owner 10 days prior to a City Administrative Hearing. Hearings are held monthly.
• The summons / citation requires mandatory attendance at the hearing.

6. Administrative Hearing

• The Hearing Officer hears evidence, determines whether a code violation exists, issues an order, and may assess fines.
• A continuance to the next hearing date may be considered.
• After an order is issued by the Hearing Officer, the property owner has 35 days to comply with the order, or file for review of the decision at the Circuit Court of Kane County. After the Circuit Court review, the case may be returned back for rehearing, or the court may grant other relief.

7. Property Lien

• If the owner fails to comply with the order, a lien is filed and recorded against the property.  The property cannot be sold or refinanced until the liens are satisfied. The lien remains as leverage to compel an owner to resolve a violation.