Bloomington, IL Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)

Bloomington City Code § 19-106, part of the Shade Tree Ordinance in Chapter 19, places three duties on any person growing a tree on property abutting a public area that supports trees, meaning streets, parkways, alleys, and similar City-owned land. First, the owner must trim the tree so it does not create a hazard to public places or block the proper lighting of public roadways by streetlights, keeping a minimum overhang clearance of nine feet. Second, the owner must treat or remove any tree so diseased or insect-ridden that it threatens the other trees in the public area.

Third, the owner must tell the City about any tree within the public right-of-way that needs trimming, treatment, or removal, even if it is not on the owner's own property. These duties sit alongside the City Forester's separate authority under § 19-104(B) to order trimming or removal on private property for public safety or disease control, and the § 19-107 procedure that follows an order, including a 10-day appeal window to the City Manager. Chapter 19's Article II separately lets public utilities trim trees in the right-of-way for power-line clearance under industry pruning standards, after giving the City Forester advance notice of the areas and approximate dates.

Failing to keep the nine-foot clearance, or any other violation of Chapter 19's Article I duties, is punishable under § 19-113 by a fine of not less than $25 nor more than $100.