Landscaping Rules in Will County, IL (2026)
5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Will County, Illinois.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
In unincorporated Will County, removing a tree with a trunk six inches or more in diameter as part of permitted development requires planting replacement trees totaling at least 125% of the diameter removed, unless the Zoning Administrator waives it.
Will County Tree Removal Mitigation Rule
Some RestrictionsWill County Code § 155-12.20
The removal of trees with a single-stem diameter breast height (DBH) of six inches or greater must be mitigated by providing one or more replacement trees with a total combined DBH equal to at least 125% of the total DBH of trees that are removed. The Zoning Administrator is authorized to waive this tree replacement requirement when it is determined that inadequate area exists for healthy growt...
Weed Ordinances
Unincorporated Will County property maintenance code caps weeds and plant growth at 10 inches; violations are a petty offense enforced by the Building Official, punishable by up to $500 per day.
Will County Weed Height Limit: 10 Inches
Some RestrictionsWill County Code § 150.170 (IPMC § 302.4)
Premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from weeds or plant growth in excess of 10 inches. IPMC Section 304.14 Insect Screens Delete section in its entirety IPMC Section 404.4.1 Room Area Change living room area from 120 square feet to 70 square feet. IPMC Section 602.2 Residential Occupancies To read: Dwellings shall be provided with heating facilities capable of maintain...
Rainwater Harvesting
Unincorporated Will County zoning lets homeowners install rain barrels up to 5 feet tall inside required street, side and rear setbacks without a variance, and the landscape code separately lists rainwater harvesting as an encouraged water-conservation practice. No permit or setback relief request is needed for a rain barrel that meets the height cap.
Will County Allows Rain Barrels In Setbacks
Light RestrictionsWill County Code § 155-10.10(F); § 155-12.90(P)(5)
Obstruction/Projection into Required Setback Street Side Rear ... Rain barrels up to 5 feet in height Yes Yes Yes ... (P) Water conservation. To promote resource-efficient landscaping for the conservation of water and other natural resources, the following principles and practices are encouraged: ... (5) Rainwater harvesting techniques;
Native Plants
Unincorporated Will County's zoning code treats native plants as an approved way to meet mandatory landscaping. Section 155-12.90(A) lets developers cover required landscape areas with native prairie plants, native wetland plants, forbs and ornamental grasses instead of turf, while a companion water-conservation policy actively encourages water-conserving plant material over sod lawns to cut irrigation demand across the county's fast-growing subdivisions.
Will County Native Prairie Plants Landscaping Rule
Some RestrictionsWill County Code § 155-12.90(A), (P)
(A) Landscaping within required landscape areas. Required landscaped areas must be covered with biodegradable mulch, ornamental grasses, forbs, native prairie plants, native wetland plants, grass or other perennial herbaceous or shrub planting combinations. Landscape-grade stone or aggregate material may also be used within landscape areas. In areas subject to erosion, erosion-reducing blanke...
Composting
Unincorporated Will County allows home composting of yard and food waste as an accessory use, but caps pile size and sets strict setbacks.
Will County Residential Composting Rules
Some RestrictionsWill County Code § 155-10.10(J)
(J) Residential composting. (1) The composting of landscape waste (including grass clippings, leaves, and chipped brush) and food waste (including discarded fruits, vegetables, and grains) is an allowed accessory use in residential zoning districts, subject to the regulations of this section... (4) All food waste must be placed within rodent-resistant compost bins. (5) Landscape waste compost p...
Landscaping Rules by City in Will County
1 cities in Will County have their own landscaping rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Will County ordinances
See every category we cover for Will County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Will County Ordinance Hub →