Sauk Village — Ch. 18 Art. XIX Registration of Defaulted Mortgage and Vacant Properties § 18-1136
Maintenance requirements
Operative Text
(a) Properties subject to this chapter shall be kept free of weeds, overgrown brush, dead vegetation, trash, junk, debris, building materials, any accumulation of newspaper 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. ..... (b) Registrable property shall be maintained free of graffiti or similar markings by removal or painting over with an exterior grade paint that matches the color of the exterior structure. ..... (c) Front, side, and rear yards, including landscaping, of registrable property shall be maintained in accordance with the applicable code(s) at the time registration is required. ..... (d) Registrable yard maintenance shall include, but not be limited to, grass, ground covers, bushes, shrubs, hedges or similar plantings, decorative rock or bark or artificial turf/sod. Acceptable maintenance of yards and/or landscape shall not include weeds, gravel, broken concrete, asphalt or similar material. ..... (e) Maintenance shall include, but not be limited to, watering, irrigation, cutting and mowing of required ground cover or landscape and removal of all trimmings. ..... (f) Pools and spas of shall be maintained so the water remains free and clear of pollutants and debris and shall comply with the regulations set forth in the applicable code(s). ..... (g) Failure of the mortgagee, owner, and transferees to properly maintain the property as required by this chapter may result in a violation of the applicable code(s) and issuance of a citation or notice of violation in accordance with the applicable code of the village. Pursuant to a finding and determination by the village sheriff, magistrate or a court of competent jurisdiction, the village may take the necessary action to ensure compliance with this section. ..... (h) In addition to the above, the property is required to be maintained in accordance with the applicable code(s) of the village. .....
Sauk Village Code § 18-1136 establishes specific upkeep standards for properties subject to the village's defaulted mortgage and vacant property registration program. These standards cover a wide range of conditions, including removal of debris, trash, and abandoned personal items; elimination of graffiti; proper yard and landscaping care; and maintenance of pools and spas to prevent pollution. The rule applies to mortgagees, owners, and transferees, and non-compliance can result in citations, notices of violation, or direct village action following a finding by a sheriff, magistrate, or court.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators and mortgagees responsible for registrable properties under § 18-1136 generally keep the exterior free of debris, discarded items, and any conditions suggesting abandonment. Compliant property managers routinely address graffiti promptly, maintain lawns and landscaping with appropriate ground cover, and ensure pools or spas meet water-quality standards under the village's applicable codes. When a property falls out of compliance, the village may pursue enforcement action—including direct remediation—so operators typically document their maintenance activities to demonstrate ongoing adherence to § 18-1136.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants or occupants of properties covered by § 18-1136 may benefit from knowing that this provision requires owners and mortgagees to maintain the exterior, landscaping, and amenities such as pools in a safe and clean condition. If conditions at a property appear to violate these standards—such as persistent debris accumulation, graffiti, or neglected yards—residents can report concerns to Sauk Village's code enforcement office, which has authority under § 18-1136 to issue citations or pursue corrective action. Tenant-rights organizations can also help individuals understand how local code violations may intersect with habitability rights or other protections.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.