Violations must be reported in writing by a property owner using the Board’s prescribed form. After the Board verifies the complaint, the alleged violator receives written notice and a warning. The owner has the right to appeal in writing through API, which triggers a hearing at the next Board meeting. Fines escalate with repeat violations and must be paid within 30 days of notice. The Board may also pursue legal remedies, with all legal costs charged back to the offending owner.
Fine Schedule
Violation
Fine
First violation (no same violation within last year)
$50.00
Same violation repeated within last year
$75.00
Third and subsequent violations
$100.00 each
Continuing/daily violation
Up to $25.00/day
Maximum continuing violation fine
$500.00
Payment deadline
30 days from notice
Applicable Rules
Rule
Source
Section
Complaints must be submitted in writing by a property owner
R&Rs 2013/2021
9
Board verifies complaint before issuing notice to alleged violator
R&Rs 2013/2021
9
Owner responsible for conduct of all residents and guests
R&Rs 2013/2021
9
Violator given written notice and warning before fine
R&Rs 2013/2021
9
Right to appeal — written response to API to schedule hearing
R&Rs 2013/2021
9
Hearings proceed with or without accused owner if notice was sent
R&Rs 2013/2021
9
Open hearings require at least 2 weeks’ advance notice to homeowners
R&Rs 2013/2021
9
Fine charged to owner of home where guilty person resides
R&Rs 2013/2021
9
Board may pursue legal remedies; costs assessed to offending owner
R&Rs 2013/2021
9
Process Flow
Property owner submits written complaint on Board-prescribed form
Board/Committee verifies validity of complaint
Alleged violator receives written notice and warning
Owner may appeal in writing to API → hearing placed on next Board meeting agenda
Hearing proceeds (open or closed); Board weighs evidence and renders finding
If guilty: written notice sent; fine charged to owner; payment due within 30 days
History
Date
Event
2024-07-11
[Address redacted] — Unapproved fence: Homeowner installed unapproved fence. After Board discussion, homeowner agreed to move the front of the fence back 10 feet from the front of the house as remediation. Source: minutes-2024-07-11
2024-07-11
[Address redacted] — Improper fence maintenance: Reported to City of West Chicago code enforcement. API sent initial warning letter. Source: minutes-2024-07-11
2025-10-30
Ed Bryson suggested skipping the standard warning step and going directly to fines for violations. Rationale: homeowners should know the rules. No formal motion; informal Board discussion only. Source: minutes-2025-10-30
2026-05-07
Garbage can violations: Board approved (MH motion, MC second) directing API to send fines to homeowners for garbage cans left in driveways. Source: minutes-2026-05-07
2026-05-07
General maintenance enforcement discussion: homeowners raised concern at forum that API was not acting on reported violations (fences braced with props, falling mailboxes, garbage cans in driveways). Board acknowledged; MKH to publish newsletter article on maintenance standards. Source: minutes-2026-05-07
Open Questions
The R&Rs do not specify what happens if a fine goes unpaid past the 30-day deadline — the assessment collection policy (Section 10) likely applies. See assessment-collection-policy.
“Immediate fine” is referenced for A&A violations (working without prior approval) in Sections 3.4 and 3.5 — it is unclear whether this bypasses the standard warning step in Section 9 or whether it means the first fine is assessed without the usual warning period.