Protected Tree Species: Chicago vs Skokie
How do protected tree species rules compare between Chicago, IL and Skokie, IL?
Chicago and Skokie have similar restriction levels.
Chicago, IL
Cook County
Chicago's Bureau of Forestry within Streets and Sanitation has exclusive jurisdiction over parkway trees under MCC 10-32. Private property tree removal is largely unregulated, but parkway and park trees are protected with strict permit and replacement requirements.
View full Chicago rules →Skokie, IL
Cook County
Cook County Tree Preservation Ordinance 19-3158, codified in Chapter 102 zoning, requires removal permits for protected and heritage trees on unincorporated lots. Native oaks, hickories, and trees over 20-inch DBH are protected; replacement and mitigation are mandatory for permitted removals.
View full Skokie rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Chicago | Skokie |
|---|---|---|
| Code | MCC 10-32-010 through 10-32-260 | - |
| Agency | Bureau of Forestry | - |
| Parkway trees | Permit required | - |
| Damage value | $1,000 to $10,000+ | - |
| Private trees | Mostly unregulated | - |
| Ordinance | - | Cook 19-3158 codified Ch. 102 |
| Protected species | - | Native oaks and hickories |
| Size threshold | - | 20-inch DBH any species |
| Mitigation ratio | - | 1 inch out, 1.5 in replanted |
| Scope | - | Unincorporated Cook only |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Chicago FAQ
Can I trim the parkway tree in front of my Chicago house?
No. Only the Bureau of Forestry may prune or remove parkway trees. Call 311 for service requests; unauthorized work risks fines of $300 to $1,500 plus the appraised tree value.
Does Chicago regulate cutting down a private backyard tree?
Generally no, unless the tree is part of a zoning-approved landscape plan or sits on land subject to a planned development. Private homeowners can usually remove their own trees without a permit.
Skokie FAQ
Do I need a permit to remove a dead oak in unincorporated Cook?
Yes, even dead protected trees require a tree removal permit under Ordinance 19-3158, though dead-tree removals are typically issued without mitigation if a certified arborist confirms the tree is dead, dying, or hazardous to structures.
What counts as a heritage tree?
The ordinance treats native oaks and hickories of any size, plus any tree 20 inches DBH or greater regardless of species, as protected. Some forest preserve designations add specific named heritage trees with even tighter removal rules.
Does this apply if my house is in a suburban village?
No. Ordinance 19-3158 applies only to unincorporated Cook County. Villages such as Schaumburg, Oak Park, and Evanston run their own tree ordinances with different protected species lists, removal thresholds, and replacement rules.
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