May Weather Fuels Weed Complaints

Lake Zurich is fielding lots of calls complaining about weeds on vacant properties but is requesting residents submit service requests online rather than call.

The village has received over 70 calls in May complaining about standing grass or weeds on vacant properties, said Dan Peterson, Building/Zoning manager. The weather has helped grass and weeds grow quickly, he said.

While the village wants to help residents with complains, taking calls is time consuming and staff sometimes doesn’t get all the details, he said. 

Under village code, anytime grass or weeds are 8 to 10 inches high, Lake Zurich will send a notice or violation to the homeowner. If the property is a foreclosure or is vacant, the village researches who is the owner of record and sends a notification. If the owner does not respond, the village mows the grass and sends a bill to the owner.

The goal is get to property owners to comply, Peterson said.

Peterson’s department has resolved 45 complaints and is following up with 25 other owners to get compliance, he said. 

Anyone with concerns should go to the village’s website and fill out a form with details about the complaint, including the address of the property in violation.