Tree Protection in Lake County, IL (2026)

3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Lake County, Illinois.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Lake County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Heritage & Protected Trees

Lake County requires developers in unincorporated areas to protect at least 70% of significant trees, defined as 24-plus-inch deciduous or 12-plus-inch evergreen trunks, as permanent open space during site development.

Significant Tree Protection in Unincorporated Lake County

Some Restrictions

Lake County Code § 151.071(I)(1)(d), (I)(3)(d)

Significant trees are trees having a diameter breast height (four and one-half feet above average ground elevation) of 24 inches or greater for deciduous trees and 12 inches or greater for evergreen trees. ... At least 70% of all significant trees shall be protected and maintained as permanent open space except those trees that are located within the ultimate rights-of-way of existing roads and...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Protected Tree Species

Development on unincorporated Lake County land subject to site plan review must protect at least 70% of "significant trees", 24-inch-diameter deciduous or 12-inch-diameter evergreen, identified by a certified arborist's tree survey before grading begins.

Significant Tree Protection, Unincorporated Lake County

Some Restrictions

Lake County Code § 151.071(I)(1)(d), (I)(3)(d)

Significant trees. Significant trees are trees having a diameter breast height (four and one-half feet above average ground elevation) of 24 inches or greater for deciduous trees and 12 inches or greater for evergreen trees. ... At least 70% of all significant trees shall be protected and maintained as permanent open space except those trees that are located within the ultimate rights-of-way of...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Parkway Planting

Subdivisions built in unincorporated Lake County must plant two street trees per 100 feet of frontage, at least 3 inches in caliper, chosen from the county's approved species list.

Lake County Subdivision Street Tree Standards

Some Restrictions

Lake County Code § 151.199(A)

(1) Plant quantities shall be calculated using a minimum standard of two trees for each 100 feet of street length. ... (4) The trees shall generally be placed between the sidewalk and right-of-way line for streets with closed drainage and at least 30 feet from the centerline of the right-of-way for streets with open drainage. Tree locations shall be approved by the Township Highway Commissioner...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Tree Protection by City in Lake County

1 cities in Lake County have their own tree protection rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

WaukeganPop. 89,078

3 verified rules • Heritage & Protected Trees, Parkway Planting

All Lake County ordinances

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