Joliet — Ch. 8 Art. VII Property Maintenance Code § 8-358

(a) The responsible party/beneficiary or their designee shall perform inspections every two (2) weeks to verify that the requirements of this division are being met.
(b) Maintenance requirements.
(1) The exterior of the property shall be kept free of weeds, dry brush, dead vegetation, trash, junk, debris, building materials, any accumulation of newspapers, circulars, flyers, notices, except those required by federal, state or local law, discarded personal items including but not limited to furniture, clothing, large and small appliances, printed material or any other items that give the appearance that the property is abandoned.
(2) The property shall be maintained free of graffiti, tagging or similar markings by removal or painting over with an exterior grade paint that matches the color of the exterior of the structure.
(3) Insofar as there is existing or previously existing landscaping, all visible front and side yard landscaping shall be maintained and shall be kept free of weeds, dry brush, dead and overgrown vegetation, but in no case less than required by city ordinance. Landscape includes, but is not limited to, grass, ground covers, bushes, shrubs, hedges or similar plantings. Maintenance includes but is not limited to cutting, pruning and mowing of required landscape and removal of all trimmings.
(4) Pools and spas shall be kept in working order so the water remains clear and free of pollutants and debris or drained and kept dry. Properties with pools and/or spas must comply with the minimum-security fencing requirements of the city.
Adherence to this section does not relieve the beneficiary/responsible party of any obligations set forth in any covenants, conditions and restrictions and/or homeowners' association rules and regulations which may apply to the property.
(c) Security requirements.
(1) Property subject to this division shall be maintained in a secure manner so as not to be accessible to unauthorized persons. Secure manner includes but is not limited to the closure and locking of windows, doors (walk-through, sliding and garage), gates and any other openings of such size that leave it accessible. In the case of broken windows, securing means the reglazing or boarding of the window. Locking includes measures that require a key, keycard, tool or special knowledge to open or gain access.
(2) If the responsible party/beneficiary does not have a property preservation or real estate owned section/department, a field service provider or property manager shall be contracted to perform the inspection to verify that the requirements of this division, and any other applicable laws, are being met.
(3) The property shall be posted with name and twenty-four-hour toll-free contact phone number of the beneficiary or property preservation, real estate owned section/department, field service provider or property manager. The posting shall be no less than eight and one-half (8½) inches by eleven (11) inches and shall contain, along with the name and twenty-four-hour toll free contact number, the words "THIS PROPERTY MANAGED BY" and "TO REPORT PROBLEMS OR CONCERNS CALL" or similar. The posting shall be placed in a window adjacent to the entry door or attached to the exterior of the entry door. Exterior posting must be constructed of and printed with, or contained in, weather-resistant materials.
(d) Fees. The fee for registering an abandoned residential property shall be zero dollars ($0.00).