Code Compliance

Code Enforcement

The City of Waukegan has adopted city codes specifically designed to address blight, nuisances, and to maintain a clean environment for all citizens in our community. We help maintain and improve the quality of our community by administering a fair and unbiased compliance program to correct violations of municipal codes.

Code officers provide essential and beneficial services that ensure quality of life in neighborhood communities. As population density and economic constraints place ever greater pressures on communities, the need and demand for code officers continues to rise.

Code requirements are those minimum standards designed to secure the interests of public safety, health and general welfare throughout the City of Waukegan.

Code Officers

The primary role of the code officer is to eliminate hazards that could affect public safety. This includes:

  • Blight on private property (garbage, debris and/or exterior storage)
  • Building code violations
  • Grass and weed growth over 8" inches
  • Hazardous property conditions
  • Housing code violations (minimum standards for safe, sanitary housing)
  • Illegal parking (on private property)
  • Inoperable and abandoned vehicles on private property
  • Rental License Inspections
  • Vacant Structure Monitoring

Tools Used by Code Compliance

The Code Compliance Department utilizes a variety of tools in an effort to achieve compliance. We will help educate individuals who may be unaware they have a violation. We will work with the responsible person and provide a time frame to resolve the issue without penalty. If however education does not resolve the condition, the Code Compliance Inspector may utilize:

Administrative Citation

This remedy is designed to address the violations in front of a Hearing Officer. Fines can be accessed up to $750 per day. Hearing citations are MUST APPEAR and are held in the Council Chambers on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the Month starting at 1:30pm.

If you will not be able to attend on the hearing date listed on the citation you may request a one time continuance by completing the following online form PETITION FOR CONTINUANCE Once submitted, the form will be sent automatically to staff for processing and you will receive a response within 7 days with a new hearing date. 

If you have received notice of maximum fine and missed your hearing date, you may file a one time petition to set aside the default judgment within 21 days of your original hearing. Please fill out the following online form PETITION TO SET ASIDE FORM. Once completed, the form will be sent to staff for processing and you will receive a response within 7 days with a new hearing date.

  • Abatement / Removal

    This remedy is used when the city needs to abate the public nuisance. Any and all unpaid fees could result in a property lien plus administrative fees

  • Ordinance Ticket

    This remedy is used when the city has not gained compliance in cases of excess weeds, garbage, and trash container violations to abate the public nuisance. Any and all unpaid fees could result in a property lien plus administrative fees

  • Vacant and Foreclosed Property Registration

    All foreclosed and vacant property locations within the City of Waukegan must be registered. Our vacant registry program is managed by Hera Property Registry.  Register on their website

Residents may file complaints by calling 847-625-6860, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or by emailing Code Compliance. Complainant's information is not public information and will not be shared with violators of City Ordinance.

For after hour emergency complaints, please call the Waukegan Police Department Communication Center at 847-599-2608.

Resources

If you require general info about the Waukegan Code Compliance Department, please call 847-625-6860 or email Code Compliance.