Arlington Heights, IL Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)

Arlington Heights manages trees in the public right-of-way through its Forestry Division. Parkway trees may only be removed by the Village; residents cannot remove parkway trees. The Village removes parkway trees that are dead, diseased, or hazardous and replaces them as part of its urban forestry program. For private property, Arlington Heights does not generally require a permit to remove trees that are not in the public right-of-way. However, tree removal on private property may be reviewed as part of site plan approval for new construction, major renovations, or subdivision development. The Village does not operate a formal heritage tree registry or landmark tree program. Large mature trees on private property are not individually protected by ordinance. When developing property, the Village may require replacement tree planting as a condition of site plan approval. Residents are encouraged to plant replacement trees when removing mature specimens. The Village's parkway tree replacement program plants species resistant to emerald ash borer and Dutch elm disease. The Forestry Division can advise residents on appropriate replacement species for private property.