Joliet — Ch. 8 Art. VII Property Maintenance Code § 8-338

(a) In general. A person owning, occupying, or controlling any residential lot or property adjacent to or adjoining a residential lot shall not place upon, or permit upon the premises any noxious weeds, as defined by the statutes of the State of Illinois, dirt, rubbish, or any other foul or unhealthy material, or any other condition on said premises, in such a manner as to constitute a nuisance. Except as part of a managed natural landscape as defined in this section, any weeds or grass growing upon any lot or parcel of land in the city to a greater height than eight (8) inches or which have gone or are about to go to seed are hereby declared to be a nuisance condition and dangerous to the health, safety and good order of the city.
(b) Right to install and maintain a managed natural landscape. An owner, authorized agent, or authorized occupant of any privately owned lands or premises may, consistent with this subsection and all other applicable laws, statutes, rules and ordinances, install and maintain a managed natural landscape.
(1) Definitions.
Managed natural landscape means a planned, intentional and maintained planting of native or non-native grasses, wildflowers, forbs, ferns, shrubs or trees, including but not limited to rain gardens, meadow vegetation, and ornamental plantings.
Meadow vegetation means grasses and flowering broad-leaf plants that are native to, or adapted to, the State of Illinois, and that are commonly found in meadow and prairie plant communities, not including noxious weeds.
Noxious weed shall have the meaning assigned by Illinois Statutes, 505 ILCS 100/1.
Ornamental plants means grasses, perennials, annuals and groundcovers purposefully planted for aesthetic reasons.
Rain garden means a native plant garden that is designed not only to aesthetically improve properties, but also to reduce the amount of stormwater and accompanying pollutants from entering streams, lakes and rivers.
Turf-grass lawn means a lawn comprised mostly of grasses commonly used in regularly cut lawns or play areas (such as but not limited to bluegrass, fescue, and ryegrass blends), intended to be maintained at a height of no more than eight (8) inches.
(2) Requirements.
a. Managed natural landscapes may include plants and grasses in excess of eight (8) inches in height and which have gone to seed, but may not include any noxious weeds and must be maintained so as to not include unintended vegetation.
b. Managed natural landscapes may not include any plantings, which due to location and manner of growth constitute a hazard to the public or may cause injury or damage to persons or property.
c. Managed natural landscapes shall not include turf-grass lawns left unattended for the purpose of returning to a natural state.