Naperville, IL Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- yes, Dept. of Community Development
- Permit term
- 5 years
- Annual cutting
- 18 inches or less by June 1
- Front/corner setback
- 2 feet
- Other lot-line setback
- 4 feet
Summary
Naperville allows private natural landscaping of native wildflowers and prairie grasses, but owners must obtain a 5-year permit, cut growth to 18 inches annually, and meet setbacks from property lines.
A "private naturally landscaped lot" is a privately owned lot which is naturally landscaped so as to exhibit the deliberate and conscious decision to plant, cultivate and maintain those native or naturally occurring species identified as wildflower and prairie grasses in commonly accepted publications including "Plants Of The Chicago Region", by Floyd Swink and Gerold Wilhelm (1974), "Wildflowers Of The Tallgrass Prairie, The Upper Midwest", by Sylvan T. Runkel and Dean M. Roosa (1989), "Field Guide To North American Wildflowers, Eastern Region", by the Audubon Society (1979), and "Native Illinois Herbs And Forbs", by Illinois Department of Conservation, copies all of which are on file and available for inspection with the Director of Community Development.6.2.Permit Required: No person shall own or maintain a private naturally landscaped lot without first securing a natural landscaping permit therefor from the Department of Community Development.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 101).
Full Breakdown
Naperville lets homeowners replace turf with a 'private naturally landscaped lot' of native wildflowers and prairie grasses drawn from named reference guides, but only after securing a natural landscaping permit from the Department of Community Development under City Code § 4-3-2(6). The permit runs five years, requires a scaled site plan showing plant locations and setbacks, and the planting must be cut to 18 inches or less at least once before June 1 every year. Natural landscaping must sit at least 2 feet from front or corner-side lot lines with sidewalks, or 4 feet from other lot lines, unless screened by fencing or bushes.
Violations & Fines
Establishing or maintaining a natural landscape lot without a permit, or violating its setback or annual-cutting terms, is a code violation fined $100–$500 per offense, per § 4-3-2(7).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a native wildflower yard in Naperville?
How often must I cut a natural landscaping planting?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Naperville
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