Landscaping Rules in Berwyn, IL (2026)
7 verified landscaping rules for Berwyn, Illinois, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
In the City of Berwyn, Illinois, owners of trees overhanging a street, alley, sidewalk or right-of-way must prune them to leave eight feet of clear space above the street and sidewalk. Branches cannot block street lamp light or intersection sight lines, and the city can prune and bill the owner.
Berwyn, Illinois Tree Trimming and Eight-Foot Clearance Rule
Some RestrictionsBerwyn Code of Ordinances § 1028.09
(A) (1) The owner of any tree overhanging any street, alley, sidewalk or right-of-way in the city shall prune the branches so that the branches shall not obstruct the light from any street lamp or the vision of any street intersection and so that there shall be a clear space of eight feet above the surface of the street and sidewalk. The city may prune any tree or shrub on private property when...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
In the City of Berwyn, Illinois, owners must remove trees and dead or broken limbs that overhang a sidewalk, street, alley or public highway, on a deadline the city sets in a written notice. Removing a tree along a state or county highway needs city consent and Council approval.
Berwyn, Illinois Tree Removal Rules and Permits
Some RestrictionsBerwyn Code of Ordinances § 1028.04
(A) The owner of a lot or parcel of land in the city shall remove all trees thereon which overhang a sidewalk, street, alley or public highway and all dead, decayed or broken limbs or branches that overhang a sidewalk, street, alley or public highway. ... The city shall notify, in writing, the owner of the tree. Removal may be done by the owner, at his or her expense, within a reasonable amount...
Weed Ordinances
In the City of Berwyn, Illinois, Berwyn Code of Ordinances § 690.02 makes it illegal to refuse or neglect to cut vegetation once it exceeds eight inches. Chapter 690 defines vegetation to include grass, and lets the city cut the lot and bill the owner if the owner does not.
Berwyn, Illinois Weed and Grass Height Limit
Some RestrictionsBerwyn Code of Ordinances § 690.02
It is hereby declared to be illegal to refuse or neglect to cut vegetation when that vegetation shall have reached a height in excess of eight inches.
Water Restrictions
In the City of Berwyn, Illinois, lawn sprinkling between May 15 and September 15 follows an odd-even calendar-day schedule by street address, and it is banned from 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m. every day. Berwyn Code of Ordinances § 1050.05 also bans all lawn sprinkling once a drought or water emergency is declared.
Berwyn, IL Odd-Even Lawn Sprinkling Limits
Some RestrictionsBerwyn Code of Ordinances § 1050.05
(A) Between May 15 and September 15 of each calendar year, those persons whose last digit in their street address is an odd number may sprinkle their lawns on odd-numbered calendar days only, ... (B) Between May 15 and September 15 of each calendar year, sprinkling is prohibited between the hours of 12:00 noon and 6:00 p.m. on all days. (C) If a drought or an emergency water shortage is declare...
Rainwater Harvesting
In the City of Berwyn, Illinois, a dwelling can divert its downspouts into a rain barrel of no more than 55 gallons, if the barrel sits on a pervious surface in the yard, stays covered, and never overflows into the storm or combined sewer. Berwyn Code of Ordinances § 1050.06 sets these conditions.
Berwyn, IL Rain Barrel Rules
Some RestrictionsBerwyn Code of Ordinances § 1050.06
RAIN BARREL. ... An above-ground container designed to collect and store rooftop runoff of a dwelling for reuse for irrigation purposes solely. Permitted size not to exceed 55 gallon capacity. ( ... B) Use. ... As an alternative to the requirements set forth in § 1042.045, downspouts of a dwelling may be diverted into a rain barrel for reuse in agricultural/gardening purposes only, subject to t...
Native Plants
In the City of Berwyn, Illinois, the landscape chapter of the zoning code names trees and plants native or naturalized to northeastern Illinois as the preferred palette. On sites of 0.5 acres or more it also caps any single tree family at 70%, genus at 50% and species at 30%. Public Works keeps the preferred species list.
Berwyn, IL Native Plant and Tree Species Rules
Light RestrictionsBerwyn Code of Ordinances § 1250.02
(3) Native species. Tree and plant species that are native or naturalized to northeastern Illinois, as well as drought- and salt-tolerant plant materials, are preferred. Refer to the list of preferred plant and tree species, available from the Public Works Department. (4) Tree species diversity. Trees that are native or naturalized to northeastern Illinois shall be used as follows for sites of ...
Composting
In the City of Berwyn, Illinois, every compost pile must sit inside a freestanding bin no larger than 125 cubic feet and no taller than five feet, with no more than three bins on any lot. Berwyn Code of Ordinances § 1060.11 also requires rodent and odor control and restricts which materials go in.
Berwyn Residential Composting Bin Rules
Some RestrictionsBerwyn Code of Ordinances § 1060.11
(A) Compostable materials such as grass trimmings, wood waste, leaves, weeds and other garden refuse may be placed in a compost pile provided it is placed in such a way so the material will not be wind blown. ... (B) All composting shall be done in compliance with the following standards and conditions: (1) All compost piles shall be enclosed in a freestanding compost bin. (2) Each compost bin ...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Berwyn city rules.
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