How Joliet Handles Tree Protection: A Practical Guide
Joliet maintains 95 local ordinances across all categories, and 2 of those deal specifically with tree protection. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Joliet falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Heritage & Protected Trees
Sec. 26-128 creates a 'legacy tree' list for individually significant trees and folds any legacy tree into the code's toughest removal category: cutting one down counts as 'significant tree removal,' which triggers the full tree-preservation-plan review rather than the routine permit process.
Key details: Governing section: Code of Ordinances Sec. 26-128(b), (c)(6). Legacy tree list: Kept in Urban Forest Management Plan. Removal classification: Counts as 'significant tree removal'. Extra requirement: Full tree preservation plan, subsection (i). Unpermitted removal fine: $500 per inch DBH.
Removing a legacy tree without a permit falls under the same Sec. 26-128(u) penalty as any unpermitted removal: at least $500.00 per inch of DBH, plus the replacement trees required by subsection (h). Because a legacy tree removal is defined as a 'significant tree removal,' skipping the full tree preservation plan required by subsection (i) is itself a separate violation of the section, subject to the section's $250.00 minimum fine.
Parkway Planting
Planting a tree or shrub in the public right-of-way or parkway in Joliet takes written approval and a city-issued permit from the city arborist under Sec. 26-128(d)(6), and once a parkway tree is in the ground, only a certified arborist or a supervised crew may prune or remove it under subsection (e)(2).
Key details: Governing section: Code of Ordinances Sec. 26-128(d)(6), (e)(2). Planting permit: Written city arborist approval required. Pruning/removal: Certified arborist or supervised crew only. Utility-line species: No trees expected to interfere with wires. Species diversity cap: Max 10% of any one species citywide.
Planting in the right-of-way without the arborist's written permit, or pruning or removing a parkway tree without a certified arborist involved, is a violation of Sec. 26-128 subject to the section's general penalties: a minimum $250.00 fine for a non-removal violation, or at least $500.00 per inch of DBH if a parkway tree is actually cut down or destroyed.
The Bottom Line
Joliet's tree protection 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 Joliet is broadly strict or permissive.
These rules come from Joliet's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.