Naperville, IL Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum clearance
- 12 feet over street/sidewalk
- Dead limbs
- Must be removed
- Responsible party
- Abutting property owner
- If owner fails
- City trims and liens property
Summary
Naperville, Illinois requires branches overhanging a street, alley, or sidewalk to clear at least 12 feet, with dead or decayed limbs removed, under Code § 9-3-5.
Branches of trees which overhang any street, alley, or sidewalk shall be trimmed so that there shall be a height of at least twelve (12) feet above the surface of the street, alley, or sidewalk, unobstructed by branches. Exceptions may be made by the Department in the trimming of young trees.7.All dead, broken or decayed limbs or branches that overhang a street, alley, or sidewalk shall be removed; and all shrubs and plant life growing along any public sidewalk shall be trimmed or cut back so that no part thereof shall overhang such sidewalk. Such trimming of trees and shrubs shall be done by the owner of the abutting property on which such trees or shrubs are located under the direction and supervision of the Department in the event that such abutting property is not owned by the City.7.1.If the owner fails, or refuses to trim the trees and shrubs herein, the Department shall cause the trimming to be done. Charges incurred by the City for trimming or removal on non-City-owned property shall be a lien upon the abutting premises in accordance with the provisions of Section 8-1C-5 of this Code. (Ord. No. 23-122, § 1, 8-15-2023)
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
In this DuPage County city, Naperville's tree-maintenance standard, part of the same section that governs parkway planting, sets a minimum twelve-foot clearance for branches overhanging any street, alley, or sidewalk and requires dead, broken, or decayed limbs over those areas to come down. Shrubs and plant life along a public sidewalk must be trimmed so nothing overhangs the walk. The abutting property owner handles the trimming; if they don't, the Department of Public Works can do the work and place a lien on the property for the cost.
Violations & Fines
Overhanging branches below 12 feet, or dead limbs left over a street or sidewalk, are a Code violation; the City can trim them and lien the property for the cost if the owner doesn't.
Frequently Asked Questions
How high must tree branches be trimmed over a Naperville sidewalk?
Who pays if the City has to trim overhanging branches?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Naperville
Compare Naperville to another location·View the Illinois landscaping rules overview
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