Landscaping Rules in Evanston, IL (2026)
5 verified landscaping rules for Evanston, Illinois, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Evanston makes overhanging tree branches a declared nuisance: property owners must keep boughs, limbs, and twigs trimmed so they clear at least 8 feet above a sidewalk or bike lane, and 14 feet above a street or alley, under the City's right-of-way code.
Evanston Tree Trimming Clearance Rule
Some RestrictionsEvanston City Code § 7-8-1-1
The projections of boughs, limbs and twigs of trees, shrubs and other vegetation over public right-of-way are hereby declared to be a nuisance. It shall be the duty of the owner or person in possession or control of any premises upon which trees, shrubbery, bushes or other vegetation is located to keep such trees, shrubbery, bushes and other vegetation trimmed so that the boughs, limbs or twigs...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
When a protected tree is removed under a City permit, Evanston requires replacement at a rate up to 175% of the removed tree's diameter, or a mitigation fee paid in lieu of some or all of the trees.
Evanston Tree Replacement Mitigation Rate
Some RestrictionsEvanston City Code § 7-8-8-7
Any protected tree damaged or removed in the course of a regulated activity must be replaced by the applicant pursuant to this Section and as depicted in a tree replacement plan pursuant to Subsection 7-8-8-7(I) of this Section, regardless of whether the protected tree is located on the same lot on which the regulated activity takes place; except, that the City Manager or designee may, pursuant...
Weed Ordinances
Evanston property owners must cut weeds and turf grass before they exceed eight inches (8") under City Code § 8-5-2, and Section 8-5-3 extends that duty to the parkway abutting each lot. If an owner ignores a violation notice, the City mows the property and files a lien against it with the Cook County Recorder of Deeds to recover the cost.
Evanston Weed and Tall Grass Height Limit
Some RestrictionsEvanston City Code § 8-5-1, § 8-5-2
"Weeds," as used in this Chapter, shall refer to the species listed by the Illinois Noxious Weed Law, 505 ILCS 100/1 et seq., and the Illinois Exotic Weed Law, 525 ILCS 10/1 et seq. The term "weeds" shall also refer to poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) and wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa). The term "weeds" shall also apply to unmowed or uncultivated grasses (all varieties)...It is hereby decla...
Water Restrictions
Evanston limits lawn irrigation to odd-numbered addresses on odd calendar dates and even addresses on even dates from May 15 through September 15, with no watering citywide between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Evanston Odd-Even Lawn Watering Rule
Some RestrictionsEvanston City Code § 7-12-14-2(A)
During May 15 through September 15 of each year, lawn irrigation with water supplied from the City waterworks system is permitted for odd-numbered addresses on odd-numbered dates and for even-numbered addresses on even-numbered dates. During May 15 through September 15, no lawn irrigation is permitted between the hours of 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on any day of the week at any address in the City...
Composting
Evanston lets residents compost via the City's food and yard waste program: Kraft paper bags up to 30 gallons or roll-out carts, with weight and branch-size limits set by City code.
Evanston Composting Bin Rules
Some RestrictionsEvanston City Code § 8-4-6(B)(1)
Kraft paper bags used for yard waste shall have a maximum capacity of thirty (30) gallons and weigh no more than fifty (50) pounds when filled. Branches shall not exceed four (4) inches in diameter and/or four (4) feet in length. Branch and trimming bundles shall not exceed three (3) feet in diameter. No food scraps may be disposed of in a Kraft paper bag.
Looking for Cook County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Evanston city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Cook County →