FAQs • Aurora, IL • CivicEngage

How long can it take before junk and trash is cleaned up from a vacant lot or abandoned lot after I notify the City?: The Property Maintenance Code gives the City the ability to expeditiously remove junk and trash from these types of properties. There is a general notice that appears once a year in The Beacon-News informing owners and those in control of these vacant properties that if they fail to keep the premises clean of junk and trash, the City reserves the right to hire a hauling contractor who will clean the premises. The owner is then billed for this cost and if it is not paid, a lien may be placed against the property. The property can be inspected within 24 hours to verify the presence of junk and trash and the clean-up may occur as soon as three days after the violation is cited.

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Property Standards

1. How do I register a property maintenance code violation complaint with the division?: Contact City of Aurora Customer Service at 630-256-INFO (4636) or go to the Customer Service Online Requests page to complete a request for service online. To assist our staff in completing a proper investigation, it is important to report accurate information such as an exact address, a clear description of what is wrong with the property, and any other important details you think our staff should know. Customer Service may need your name and contact information to get additional details and to properly follow up on the issue. Your name and contact information is kept confidential.

Customer Service Online Requests

2. How long can it take before junk and trash is cleaned up from a vacant lot or abandoned lot after I notify the City?: The Property Maintenance Code gives the City the ability to expeditiously remove junk and trash from these types of properties. There is a general notice that appears once a year in The Beacon-News informing owners and those in control of these vacant properties that if they fail to keep the premises clean of junk and trash, the City reserves the right to hire a hauling contractor who will clean the premises. The owner is then billed for this cost and if it is not paid, a lien may be placed against the property. The property can be inspected within 24 hours to verify the presence of junk and trash and the clean-up may occur as soon as three days after the violation is cited.

3. How long can it take before tall grass and weeds is cut at a vacant lot or abandoned lot?: The Property Maintenance Code also gives the City the ability to expeditiously cut grass and weeds that exceed 8 inches in height at such properties. The process is much the same as that noted above. The tall grass and weeds must be verified by a site inspection.

4. What process is used to cite owners for property maintenance code violations?: The violations must first be verified by a field inspection. The Division of Property Standards makes every effort to actually speak to the owner of the property at the time of the inspection. Any violations are then made part of a formal violation notice, which is then mailed to the owner. Except in cases of severe life/safety violations, lack of proper heat, accumulations of junk and trash and similar instances, the City does not instantaneously require that the repairs be made. A time frame is developed that recognizes the amount of work to be completed, the effects of the weather, etc.

Re-inspections are completed to assure that the work is being completed in the agreed upon manner. Many times work on the interior is being completed until the proper weather arrives for the completion of exterior work such as scraping and painting.

5. What happens if a building is posted as unfit for human occupancy?: Buildings are posted unfit due to serious violations of the Property Maintenance Code. Such violations may include no running water, no heat source during the winter, non-functioning toilets, excessive accumulations of filth and trash, and other severe circumstances that endanger the life, safety, or health of the occupants. The City will cite the owner of the building directing that the necessary repairs be made. To protect the safety and health of the occupants, the City may require that the occupants leave the building if the necessary repairs or actions are not taken. The City Inspector cannot physically remove the occupants. This may only be done by court order after the owner refuses to make the repairs and the occupants have not moved out.

6. How long may I leave holiday decorations up? Can I have a garage sale? What else do I need to know?: The City of Aurora enforces limits on seasonal decorations, garage sales and more. For more information, download the Good Neighbor Guide (PDF).

7. How do I get information on code violations for a property I do not own?: Fill out a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request and email it to [email protected] Our Legal Department will contact you with the requested information.
FOIA Request

8. Where should I store my trash and recycling containers?: Trash and recycling totes must be places in an area not visible from the public right-of-way. Behind your home, in a garage, or behind some kind of screening (such as a fence or very dense shrubs), are all acceptable places to store your trash and recycling totes.

9. How do I enroll in the trash collection program?: All homes that are billed for water service in the City of Aurora are already included in the trash and recycling collection program. For more information on the trash and recycling program call the City’s contracted waste hauler, Groot Services, at 630-892-9294, or go to their website: Groot Services
Aurora Trash Program page.