Oak Lawn, IL Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)
Key Facts
- Sidewalk clearance
- At least 10 feet
- Minor street clearance
- At least 12 feet
- Major street clearance
- At least 16 feet
- Penalty
- $10-$500 per day, per offense
- Notice period
- 10 days before Village abates
Summary
Trees overhanging a sidewalk, street, alley or parkway in Oak Lawn must be trimmed to set minimum clearance heights, and owners who ignore a Village abatement notice face daily fines under the sight-restriction rule.
Trees standing on any lot, street, alley or parkway and any trees overhanging any sidewalk, street, alley or parkway shall be trimmed so that the space from the ground surface to the lower branches of such trees shall not be less than ten feet (10') over any sidewalk, twelve feet (12') over any marginal access or minor street and sixteen feet (16') over any secondary or major street.
C. Area Involved: A sight restriction shall not occur within a triangular piece of property determined by drawing a diagonal between two (2) points located on two (2) intersecting right of way lines, each point located fifteen feet (15') each way from the intersection of said right of way lines, and then extending said diagonal to its intersections with the curb lines, and/or edges of the roadways, associated with the aforementioned right of way lines. In addition, a sight restriction shall not occur on any property within the greater of the following two (2) distances from the edge of the pavement, where no curb exists, or the back of the curb of any street:
1. Fifteen feet (15'); or
2. The distance between the property line and the back of the curb or, where no curb exists, the edge of the pavement. Additionally, a sight restriction as a result of a tree, as referenced in subsection B3 of this section, shall not occur at any location within the village at which a street or sidewalk exists.
D. Elimination Of Sight Restrictions Required, Penalty:
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-15: Code current through: Ord. 26-09-22, passed April 28, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Oak Lawn Village Code § 9-2-2(B)(3) sets minimum tree clearance: trees overhanging a sidewalk, street, alley or parkway must be trimmed so the lowest branches clear the ground by at least 10 feet over a sidewalk, 12 feet over a marginal access or minor street, and 16 feet over a secondary or major street. The abutting lot's owner or occupant is responsible. Under subsection (D), the Village treats a violation as a public nuisance, gives 10 days' written notice from the office of quality control to trim, then may fine $10 to $500 per day or enter the property, cut the branches, and bill or lien the owner.
Violations & Fines
Fined $10 to $500 per offense, with each day of noncompliance a separate offense, after 10 days' written notice from the office of quality control; the Village may also enter the property, cut the branches, and lien the owner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has to trim a tree that hangs over an Oak Lawn sidewalk?
What counts as a public nuisance under this rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Oak Lawn
Compare Oak Lawn to another location·View the Illinois landscaping rules overview
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Tree Trimming in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Cook County handle tree trimming.