Tree Protection in Waukegan, IL (2026)
3 verified tree protection rules for Waukegan, Illinois, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Heritage & Protected Trees
Waukegan defines a heritage tree as any tree 18 inches or larger in diameter at breast height and lists heritage trees among the 'Protected Areas' that trigger the Unified Development Ordinance's tree preservation rules, including a City Forester removal permit, mandatory replacement planting, and construction fencing.
Waukegan Heritage Tree Protection Standards
Significant RestrictionsWaukegan Unified Development Ordinance (Appendix A) § 13.02 (Heritage Tree; Protected Area)
Heritage Tree: Any tree having an 18 inch or larger diameter at breast height (DBH)... Protected Area: Any area in which tree protection measures are required pursuant to this Ordinance, including without limitation any bluff, conservation area, ravine, heritage tree, No Disturbance Area, Streetscape Preservation Area, or Tree Preservation Area.
Protected Tree Species
Waukegan requires utilities working in the public right-of-way to take special protective measures around specimen trees and trees of special significance, and it can bill a utility for damaging or removing one without authorization using an arborist-industry damage formula.
Waukegan Specimen Tree Protection Rule
Some RestrictionsWaukegan City Code § 14-1167(b)-(c)
(c)Specimen trees or trees of special significance. The city may require that special measures be taken to preserve specimen trees or trees of special significance. The required measures may consist of higher poles, side arm extensions, covered wire or other means. ... The formula developed by the International Society of Arboriculture will be used as a basis for determining the compensation fo...
Parkway Planting
New Waukegan developments must plant one large shade tree per 40 linear feet of street frontage in unpaved parkways, spaced to clear sidewalks, driveways, hydrants, utility poles, and intersections under specific minimum distances set in UDO Section 11.04.
Waukegan Parkway Street Tree Standards
Some RestrictionsWaukegan, IL Code of Ordinances, App. A (Unified Development Ordinance) § 11.04.B
Where an unpaved parkway exists within the right-of-way, street trees must be installed by the applicant for the proposed development at a minimum rate of one large shade tree per 40 linear feet of street frontage. This requirement may be waived in part or in whole by the City Engineer if the parkway is deemed to be an unsuitable planting location due to planting space, visibility, presence of ...
Looking for Lake County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Waukegan city rules.
Tree Protection in Lake County →