Landscaping Rules in McHenry County, IL (2026)
6 rules for unincorporated McHenry County, Illinois.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Removing a protected tree in Crystal Lake requires a tree removal permit from the Building Division under the Unified Development Ordinance's Tree Preservation standards. Small single-family lots under three acres created before 2002, nurseries, and approved-plan sites are exempt.
Crystal Lake Tree Removal Permit Required
Some RestrictionsCrystal Lake UDO Sec. 4-300 (Tree Preservation)
It shall be unlawful for any person to cut down, destroy, remove or move, or effectively destroy through damaging, or authorize the cutting down, destroying, removing, moving or damaging of any tree, unless exempted under Section 4-300B of this article or without the appropriate permit.
Weed Ordinances
Crystal Lake caps weeds and grass at eight inches; owners get seven days after notice to cut, or the city cuts and charges $250 for the first hour plus $200 each additional hour. Unincorporated McHenry County requires clearing noxious weeds within 150 feet of property lines.
Weeds and Grass Height Limits
Some RestrictionsCrystal Lake Code § 526-2
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any property within the City to permit any weeds, grass, or plants, other than trees, bushes, shrubs, flowers, or other ornamental plants, to grow to a height in excess of eight inches.
Water Restrictions
Crystal Lake uses a color-coded water-conservation system. During a declared 'Yellow' condition, odd-numbered addresses water on odd dates and even addresses on even dates within limited morning and evening hours; 'Red' bans all outdoor use of city water. Rural well users are not covered.
Crystal Lake Lawn Watering Restrictions (Odd/Even)
Some RestrictionsCrystal Lake Code - Lawns, Watering of
No person shall use water from the City water system for the sprinkling of streets or sidewalks during condition "Yellow" or "Red."
Rainwater Harvesting
Unincorporated McHenry County treats rain barrels and cisterns as approved green infrastructure under its Stormwater Management Ordinance, not as regulated development. Installing one for landscaping is exempt from a stormwater permit because it involves no filling, grading, or berm construction, and the same ordinance lets larger developments count harvested rainwater toward the water quality treatment they must otherwise provide.
Rainwater Harvesting Rules in McHenry County
Few RestrictionsMcHenry County Stormwater Management Ordinance §§ 17.60.020(C)(1)(e), 17.60.270, 17.60.060(B)(7)(a)(1), 17.60.090(A)
§ 17.60.020(C)(1): Development that consists solely of the following activities shall be exempt from the requirements of this Ordinance, upon review and verification by the Enforcement Officer: ... e. Gardening and landscaping that does not involve filling, grading, or the construction of berms; ... § 17.60.270 (Appendix 12: Definitions): green infrastructure: Any stormwater management techniqu...
Native Plants
Illinois' Homeowners' Native Landscaping Act bars community associations from banning native-species plantings that are kept free of weeds and don't encroach on neighbors. McHenry County's stormwater buffer areas along waterways must be maintained in native vegetation.
Native & Natural Landscaping Rights in Illinois
Some Restrictions765 ILCS 167/10(a)
An Association shall not prohibit any resident or owner from planting or growing Illinois native species on the resident's or owner's lawn so long as the area is maintained predominantly free of weeds, invasive species, and trash.
Artificial Turf
Crystal Lake and McHenry County have no ordinance specifically banning or approving residential artificial turf. Installations must still meet Unified Development Ordinance landscaping and setback standards, and large impervious projects trigger McHenry County's stormwater permit thresholds.
Artificial Turf Rules in Crystal Lake & McHenry County
Some RestrictionsMcHenry County Stormwater Management Ordinance, Art. IV.A
Any development that results in an additional 5,000 square feet of impervious area from the original effective date of this Ordinance; or, Any development which hydrologically disturbs 5,000 square feet or more;
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