Landscaping Rules in Joliet, IL (2026)
5 verified landscaping rules for Joliet, Illinois, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Sec. 26-131 makes property owners responsible for trimming trees, shrubs and plants next to any street or alley right-of-way, and sets hard clearance minimums: fifteen feet above the roadway and seven feet above the sidewalk.
Joliet Tree Clearance Over Streets
Some RestrictionsJoliet, IL Code of Ordinances Sec. 26-131
Each person owning, occupying, or controlling real property located adjacent to any right-of-way of any public street or alley (which shall include that area not intended for vehicular use) shall maintain and trim all trees, shrubs, and plants located thereon provided such maintenance is consistent with all applicable laws and ordinances, any master street tree plan, any urban forestry plan, an...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
City Code Sec. 26-128(g) requires a tree permit before removing or damaging any public tree, and before cutting any private tree of four inches DBH (or a six-inch group) on covered land: city property, residential parcels over 1.5 acres, all nonresidential parcels, and any parcel with a required landscape plan.
Joliet Tree Removal Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsJoliet, IL Code of Ordinances Sec. 26-128(g)(1)
(1)Permit required. It shall be unlawful for any individual to remove or cause damage to any tree located on public property without first receiving a tree permit from the City of Joliet. For all other lands where this section applies, no live tree(s) with a DBH of four (4) inches or six (6) inches group of trees may be damaged or removed without first obtaining a valid tree removal permit.
Weed Ordinances
Joliet caps weeds and grass at eight inches on any lot in the city under § 8-339, and treats taller growth or vegetation that's gone to seed as a nuisance under § 8-338. If an owner won't cut it, the city cuts it and files a lien to recover the cost.
Joliet 8-Inch Weed and Grass Limit
Some RestrictionsJoliet Code of Ordinances § 8-339
Sec. 8-339. - Refusal or neglect to cut weeds declared offense. It is hereby declared to be an offense for any owner or occupant of real property within the City of Joliet to permit any weeds, grass, or plants other than trees, bushes, shrubs, managed natural landscapes, flowers or other ornamental plants to grow to a height exceeding eight (8) inches upon such premises.
Water Restrictions
Joliet limits lawn watering from the city public water supply to 6-10 a.m. and 6-10 p.m., on an odd/even schedule tied to street address, with carve-outs for newly sodded lawns and large public-assembly venues under a director-approved water plan.
Joliet Odd/Even Lawn Watering Rule
Some RestrictionsJoliet City Code § 31-126(a)(1), (a)(2)
(a)Outdoor water conservation measures.(1)Irrigation. Except as set forth in subsection (2) below, lawn watering using the city public water supply as a source is limited to the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. as set forth below:a.Lawns at even-numbered addresses may use the city public water supply to water lawns on even-numbered calendar days during ...
Native Plants
Joliet exempts a properly maintained managed natural landscape, native grasses, wildflowers, rain gardens and similar plantings, from the city's normal eight-inch weed cap under § 8-338(b). The exemption doesn't cover noxious weeds, hazardous plantings, or an abandoned lawn merely left to grow wild.
Joliet Managed Natural Landscape Allowance
Light RestrictionsJoliet Code of Ordinances § 8-338(b)
(b)Right to install and maintain a managed natural landscape. An owner, authorized agent, or authorized occupant of any privately owned lands or premises may, consistent with this subsection and all other applicable laws, statutes, rules and ordinances, install and maintain a managed natural landscape. ... Managed natural landscape means a planned, intentional and maintained planting of native ...
Looking for Will County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Joliet city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Will County →