Oak Lawn property owners are responsible for trimming private trees so branches do not obstruct streets, sidewalks, streetlights, or traffic signs. Parkway trees (between sidewalk and street) are maintained by the village and cannot be pruned by residents without approval.
Oak Lawn Village Code requires property owners to keep trees and shrubs on private property trimmed so that no branches, leaves, or other vegetation obstruct public sidewalks (minimum 8-foot clearance), streets (minimum 14-foot clearance for vehicles), streetlights, traffic signs, or sight lines at intersections. Dead, diseased, or dangerous trees that threaten persons or property must be removed or made safe by the owner. Trees in the parkway (the strip between the sidewalk and street) are village-owned and maintained by the Oak Lawn Public Works Forestry Division. Residents cannot prune, remove, or top parkway trees without village authorization; unauthorized work can result in fines and restitution. Report low-hanging branches or dangerous parkway trees to Public Works at (708) 499-7810.
Failure to trim private trees overhanging the public right-of-way can result in code citations with 10-day correction notices. If not corrected, the village may perform the work and bill the owner. Unauthorized trimming or damage to parkway trees can result in restitution charges of several hundred to several thousand dollars plus fines.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Cook County.
See how other cities in Cook County handle tree trimming.
See how Oak Lawn's tree trimming rules stack up against other locations.
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