Des Plaines's Landscaping Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles landscaping rules a little differently. In Des Plaines, Illinois, there are 8 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Rainwater Harvesting

Rainwater collection in rain barrels and cisterns is permitted in Des Plaines under the Illinois Rainwater Harvesting Act (415 ILCS 56). Collected water must be used for non-potable purposes such as landscape irrigation, with proper backflow prevention if connected to plumbing.

Key details: State Law: 415 ILCS 56. Rain Barrels: Generally allowed. Plumbing Connection: Permit + backflow. Use: Non-potable only. Contact: CED (847) 391-5380.

Improperly connected systems creating cross-connections with potable water may result in fines of $100 to $500 plus required removal. Open barrels breeding mosquitoes may trigger nuisance citations.

The rules around rainwater harvesting in Des Plaines lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Street trees in Des Plaines are city-owned and require authorization for removal or trimming. Private property trees may require a permit for protected species. Contact Public Works.

Key details: Street Trees: City-owned — authorization required for removal. Cook County: Permit required for large trees on unimproved land. Private Trees: Generally unrestricted — check for preservation rules. Contact: Public Works: 847-391-5390.

Unauthorized removal: $500 to $10,000 per tree. Replacement planting required. Street tree damage: city restitution costs.

Artificial Turf

Des Plaines does not specifically prohibit artificial turf in residential yards, but installations should be limited in front yards under aesthetic standards and must comply with stormwater drainage requirements. Permits may be required for large installations.

Key details: Backyard: Allowed. Front Yard: Subject to review. Pervious Credit: Generally none. Drainage: Must not affect neighbors. Contact: CED (847) 391-5380.

Improper installations causing stormwater runoff onto neighboring property may trigger code violations and orders to install proper drainage, with fines of $75 to $500. Front-yard installations failing aesthetic review may require modification or removal.

The rules around artificial turf in Des Plaines lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Native Plants

Des Plaines allows native plant gardens and natural landscaping as alternatives to traditional turf lawns, provided they are intentional, maintained, and do not include noxious weeds. Owners should document the planting plan to avoid weed-height citations.

Key details: Native Gardens: Allowed with plan. Noxious Weeds: Still prohibited. Documentation: Recommended. Defined Edges: Best practice. Contact: CED (847) 391-5380.

Unmanaged or weed-infested 'natural' yards may be cited under the 8-inch height rule with fines of $75 to $250 plus city abatement costs. Documenting an intentional plan helps avoid violations.

Des Plaines is more permissive than most cities when it comes to native plants. That said, there are still limits.

Water Restrictions

No Des Plaines-specific landscaping ordinance fixes day-of-week or time-of-day outdoor watering limits; Illinois has no statewide outdoor watering ban, and any restrictions arise from the City's home-rule water utility authority and IEPA drought coordination during severe drought.

Key details: Statewide Watering Ban: None (Illinois). Local Authority: Home rule, Ill. Const. art. VII. Drought Trigger: IEPA recommends conservation at D2 (Severe). Provider: City of Des Plaines municipal water utility.

No fixed penalty in the landscaping code; if the City activates drought sprinkling restrictions under its home-rule water authority, violations would be enforced under that ordinance and the general penalty (section 1-4-1).

Des Plaines is more permissive than most cities when it comes to water restrictions. That said, there are still limits.

Grass Height Limits

Des Plaines City Code section 5-5-4 declares it a nuisance to let weeds, grass or plants (other than trees, bushes, flowers, vegetables or ornamental plants) grow over six inches (6 in) high on any lot or tract of land in the city.

Key details: Code Section: Des Plaines City Code 5-5-4. Maximum Height: 6 inches. Compliance Window: 5 days after notice (Ord. M-20-11). Admin Fee on Abatement: 25% of mowing cost + lien.

After a 5-day notice, the City may abate the nuisance (mow the lot) and recover its costs plus a 25% administrative fee, and may record a lien against the property. Fines apply under the general penalty (section 1-4-1), with each day a separate offense.

Weed Ordinances

Under Title 5, Chapter 5, Des Plaines requires property owners to cut, pull or otherwise destroy noxious weeds at least monthly between May 1 and October 1 each year; overgrowth is a nuisance the City can abate at the owner's expense.

Key details: City Code Chapter: Des Plaines City Code Title 5, Ch. 5. Cutting Frequency: At least monthly, May 1 - Oct 1. State Backstop: Illinois Noxious Weed Law, 505 ILCS 100/. Abatement Window: 5 days after notice (Ord. M-20-11).

Failure to destroy noxious weeds monthly (May 1-Oct 1) is a nuisance. After 5-day notice the City abates and recovers cost plus 25% admin fee and may lien the property; fines run under the general penalty (1-4-1), each day a separate offense.

Tree Trimming

Parkway (right-of-way) trees in Des Plaines must be trimmed and maintained per City Code Chapter 8-4 to avoid obstructions and safety hazards; trimming or removing a parkway tree requires a permit from Public Works, and parkway trees must be planted in conformance with 8-4-1.

Key details: Code Chapter: Des Plaines City Code Ch. 8-4 (Parkway Trees). Trimming Standard: sec. 8-4-3 (maintain, avoid obstructions). Planting Standard: sec. 8-4-1 (conformance required). Permit: Public Works permit to trim/remove parkway tree. Forestry Contact: Public Works 847-391-5464.

Trimming or removing a parkway tree without a Public Works permit, or failing to maintain parkway trees, is a code violation subject to fines under the general penalty (section 1-4-1), with each day a separate offense. The City may perform required work and bill the responsible owner.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Des Plaines gives residents more room on landscaping rules. 4 of the 8 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

All of the above reflects Des Plaines'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.