Evanston, IL Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)
Key Facts
- Sidewalk/bike lane clearance
- 8 feet minimum
- Street/alley clearance
- 14 feet minimum
- Trimming duty
- Property owner or occupant
- Legal status
- Declared public nuisance
- Related duty
- § 7-2-9 sightline clearance
Summary
Evanston makes overhanging tree branches a declared nuisance: property owners must keep boughs, limbs, and twigs trimmed so they clear at least 8 feet above a sidewalk or bike lane, and 14 feet above a street or alley, under the City's right-of-way code.
The projections of boughs, limbs and twigs of trees, shrubs and other vegetation over public right-of-way are hereby declared to be a nuisance. It shall be the duty of the owner or person in possession or control of any premises upon which trees, shrubbery, bushes or other vegetation is located to keep such trees, shrubbery, bushes and other vegetation trimmed so that the boughs, limbs or twigs shall not project over any public right-of-way. The owner or person in possession or control of any premises upon which a tree, bush or vegetation is located, the boughs or limbs of which project over the public right-of-way in any public street, alley, bike lane, or sidewalk in the City, shall keep the boughs or limbs of such tree, bush or vegetation trimmed so that the same shall not block or interfere with any City street light, traffic sign or other City owned infrastructure, or project over such right-of-way at a height of less than eight (8) feet above the sidewalk, or fourteen (14) feet above the street, bike lane, or alley.
(Ord. No. 79-0-86; Ord. No. 8-O-12, (50-O-11(exh. B, § 7-8-1-1)), 1-23-2012; Ord. No. 15-O-19, § 2, 3-11-2019)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 21).
Full Breakdown
Section 7-8-1-1 declares any tree, shrub, or vegetation projecting over a public street, alley, bike lane, or sidewalk a nuisance, and puts the trimming duty on the owner or person controlling the premises. Branches must not block streetlights, traffic signs, or City infrastructure, and must clear at least 8 feet above sidewalks or 14 feet above streets, bike lanes, and alleys. Section 7-8-1-3 separately preserves the related duty to keep vegetation from obstructing sightlines at alleys, streets, and sidewalks.
Violations & Fines
Branches hanging below the 8-foot sidewalk or 14-foot street clearance are a declared public nuisance under Section 7-8-1-1; the responsible owner must trim on notice or face code enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How high must tree branches be over an Evanston sidewalk?
Who is responsible for trimming trees that overhang the street in Evanston?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Evanston
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