Cook County, IL Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Cook County Code § 66-65
- Applies to
- County-jurisdiction public ways, excludes Chicago
- Penalty
- $100-$1,000 per offense, per day
- Enforcing agency
- Cook County Highway Department
Summary
Trimming or removing vegetation in a Cook County-controlled public way requires a Highway Department permit if the work could obstruct the roadway, sidewalk, or right-of-way.
No person shall perform any work in the public way, including construction, reconstruction, upgrading, replacement, removal, relocation, modification or maintenance of any facilities, trimming or removal of any vegetation, or any excavation, in the public way, or place materials, equipment, devices, or structures in the public way (whether temporary or permanent) which, in the reasonable judgment of the Highway Department, will or may obstruct the public way, until such person has obtained a permit in accordance with this Division 3.
Full Breakdown
Cook County's Public Way Regulatory Ordinance covers roads, highways, sidewalks, and rights-of-way under County jurisdiction or control, not including Chicago. Before anyone trims or removes vegetation, including street trees, along one of these public ways, Section 66-65 requires a permit from the Highway Department whenever the work could obstruct the way. The Department decides case by case whether trimming crosses that line. Applications go through the Highway Department on its own forms, and permit fees are set in Section 66-102. Skipping the permit is enforced as a public-way violation under Section 66-91.
Violations & Fines
Trimming vegetation in a County public way without a Highway Department permit draws a fine of $100 to $1,000 per offense, with each day of continued violation a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to trim a tree near a Cook County road?
Does this rule apply inside Chicago?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cook County
Compare Cook County to another location·View the Illinois landscaping rules overview
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