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Landscaping Rules in Winnebago County, IL (2026)

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

Verified from official government sources

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

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Winnebago County requires developers to replace any preserved credited tree that dies within three years of construction, one-for-one, under the Unified Development Ordinance's landscaping standards.

Winnebago County Tree Replacement Rule

Some Restrictions

Winnebago County UDO Sec. 20.8 (Preservation of Existing Trees)

Any existing tree on a zoning lot may be included for credit towards the requirements of this Ordinance as approved by the Planning and Zoning Officer... If any preserved tree dies within three (3) years of construction, one (1) tree shall be replaced for each tree credited against such a preserved tree.

Weed Ordinances

Winnebago County requires noxious weeds and mosquito-breeding vegetation to be cut down at least three times each year on a set schedule, or the county cuts it and bills the owner.

Weeds Cut 3 Times a Year in Winnebago County

Some Restrictions

Winnebago County Code § 50-293

All weeds and vegetation declared a nuisance under section 50-292 shall be cut, pulled or sprayed and destroyed by the owner, lessee, tenant, occupant or person in control of the plot of ground at least three times each year, once prior to June 1, once between June 1 and July 15 and once between July 15 and September 1, each cutting, pulling, spraying and destroying being at least 21 days apart.

Water Restrictions

The county water district can ban all lawn sprinkling and outdoor irrigation during shortages, with no fixed schedule until the director lifts it.

Winnebago County Lawn Sprinkling Shutoff Power

Significant Restrictions

Winnebago County Code of Ordinances § 68-7(b)

(b)Lawn irrigation. Use of water for the irrigation of lawns and to other outside irrigations shall be limited by restrictions as follows: (1)The water district may prohibit all lawn sprinkling and other outside irrigation from the system by publishing notice of such prohibition if the director determines that (a) a public water shortage is likely to occur, or (b) the amount of pump age of wate...

Landscaping Rules by City in Winnebago County

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

All Winnebago County ordinances

See every category we cover for Winnebago County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.

Winnebago County Ordinance Hub →