Boards and Commissions

316 N12th Street
Murphysboro, IL 62966
618.684.2961
Hours: Monday-Friday, 7am-4pm

Eric Kennedy, Code Enforcement Officer

The Code Enforcement Division of the Public Works Department strives to improve living conditions for the residents of Murphysboro by preserving and improving housing and property standards through enforcement of the City Code. The division is charged with ensuring that all property owners within the city comply with city regulations. Examples of common code violations include citizen complaints about public nuisances, inoperable or abandoned vehicles, zoning issues, abandoned or derelict structures, building construction, and property maintenance. The Code Enforcement Division through better code enforcement.

What is an ordinance? Simply stated, it is a local law. An ordinance is a municipal statute or regulation created for the benefit of the residents of the city as a whole. A list of general regulations for the City of Murphysboro is included below. This list is not all-inclusive, but is intended to assist new residents in learning more about the standards established for Murphysboro.

How are ordinances initiated? Ordinances are created by simply making a suggestion or presenting an idea for possible adoption. Once the information is gathered, it is distributed to the Planning and Zoning Commission. The commission reviews the request and makes a recommendation to the City Council. If approved by the City Council, the suggestion or idea becomes an ordinance.

What happens if you violate an ordinance? A notice or citation is issued to you requiring your appearance in City Court. You may be subject to a penalty as small as $5.00 or as severe as a $500.

How can you stay informed of new ordinances? The City of Murphysboro conducts a regularly scheduled meeting of the City Council on the second Tuesday of every month beginning at 7:00 pm at the City Hall Council Room at 202 North 11th Street. Residents are given the opportunity to voice their opinions, make suggestions, and comment on current issues.

Are there any other types of ordinance? Zoning Code is another type of ordinance which pertains to the use of land in Murphysboro. You may not use your land in any manner other than in accordance with the provisions of the Zoning Code.

Codes and their meanings are:

SR-1 Single-Family Residential District (Large Lots)
SR-2 Single-Family Residential District (Small Lots)
MR-1 Two-Family Residential District
MR-2 Multi-Family Residential District
MH-1 Mobile Housing District
B-1 Community Business District
B-2 Highway Business District
I-1 Industrial District
A-1 Agricultural District

Enterprise Zone

To encourage the establishment and expansion of businesses, the City of Murphysboro has designated areas of Murphysboro as an Enterprise Zone. Local and state incentives are provided for developments in the enterprise zone.

Local incentives include real estate tax abatement, sales tax deductions for building materials, waiver of building permit fees, urban shopsteading, and homesteading. State incentives include an enterprise zone investment tax credit, state sales tax deduction, manufacturing machinery, and equipment sales tax exemption, state utility tax exemption, job tax credit, income tax deduction for financial institutions, dividend deduction, and corporate contribution deduction.