Landscaping Rules in Arlington Heights, IL

If you live in Arlington Heights or are thinking about moving there, landscaping rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Arlington Heights has 3 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of landscaping rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Arlington Heights Municipal Code Section 20-602 requires a Department of Public Works permit before anyone damages or removes a tree or shrub growing in a public street or parkway. The permit costs $20.00 plus the tree's appraised value, and anyone who removes or damages one without authorization owes the Village the full replacement value plus restoration costs.

Key details: Governing section: § 20-602, Injury and Removal. Permit fee: $20.00 plus appraised tree value. Valuation method: ISA Guide for Establishing Values of Trees. Building-permit bond: 20% of certified tree value. Liability for unauthorized removal: Full replacement value plus parkway repair costs.

Removing or damaging a parkway tree without the Section 20-602 permit makes the responsible party liable to the Village for the tree's full replacement value under the International Society of Arboriculture guide, plus the cost of removing the tree and repairing the parkway. Building permit applicants who fail to protect adjacent parkway trees during construction face forfeiture of their bond or letter of credit and cannot obtain a certificate of occupancy until the Village is reimbursed in full.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Arlington Heights actively enforces its tree removal & heritage trees requirements.

Weed Ordinances

Arlington Heights, Illinois caps weed and grass height at 12 inches on vacant land and eight inches on occupied lots under Section 19-201(a) of the Cook County village's nuisance code. Section 19-209 makes it unlawful for any owner or occupant to let growth exceed those limits anywhere on the lot, including the parkway strip out to the curb.

Key details: Vacant land limit: 12 inches (§19-201a). Occupied lot limit: 8 inches (§19-201a). Coverage: Extends to parkway/alley strip (§19-209). Notice before abatement: 7 days after mailing/posting. Village mowing fee: $50.00 plus costs (§19-208).

An owner who lets weeds or grass exceed the 12-inch (vacant) or eight-inch (occupied) threshold faces the Chapter 19 general penalty in Section 19-701(b), a fine of $5.00 to $750.00 per offense with each continuing day treated separately, plus a flat $50.00-plus-costs charge under Section 19-208 if the Village has to send its own crew to cut the lot.

Tree Trimming

Arlington Heights Municipal Code Section 20-604 makes it the duty of the owner of the abutting property to trim any tree, limb, or shrub that overhangs a sidewalk or roadway when it impedes traffic or foot travel. The Department of Public Works enforces the requirement village-wide in Cook County, and Chapter 20's general penalty applies to owners who leave the obstruction in place.

Key details: Governing section: § 20-604, Dangerous Trees. Who must trim: Owner of the abutting premises. Trigger: Branches impeding sidewalk or roadway travel. Enforcing department: Village Department of Public Works. Fine range: $5.00 to $750.00 per offense (§ 20-117).

Section 20-117 sets the penalty for any Chapter 20 violation, including an uncorrected Section 20-604 obstruction, at not less than $5.00 nor more than $750.00 per offense, and treats each day the branch remains uncut as a separate offense. Damaging or removing the underlying tree while trimming can additionally trigger Section 20-602 liability for the tree's full replacement value under the International Society of Arboriculture guide, on top of the fine.

The Bottom Line

Arlington Heights's landscaping rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Arlington Heights is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Arlington Heights's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.