Springfield, IL Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)
Key Facts
- Code Section
- Springfield City Code Sec. 99.20 (Trimming; nuisance)
- Clearance over sidewalk
- At least 10 feet
- Clearance over street/alley
- At least 15 feet
- Parkway-tree permit
- Tree Work Permit from City Arborist required (Arboricultural Specifications Manual)
- City cost recovery
- Sec. 99.21 (city does trimming, recovers cost by suit)
Summary
Springfield City Code Title IX, Chapter 99, Article III, Section 99.20 ('Trimming; nuisance') declares it a nuisance when limbs and foliage of trees on premises abutting a street, alley, or sidewalk are not trimmed at least 10 feet above a sidewalk and 15 feet above any street or alley. The abutting owner, occupant, or person in control must trim them, and the city may do the work and recover the cost if the owner fails to comply.
Per City Code, Title IX, Chapter 99, Article III, Sec. 99.20 'Trimming; nuisance': (a) Any limbs and foliage of trees planted on any premises that abuts any street, alley, or sidewalk that is not trimmed at least 10 feet above the ground of a sidewalk and 15 feet above any street or alley, or any similarly planted vegetation that hinders, obstructs, or endangers the passage of persons or vehicles along any street, alley, or sidewalk so as to obstruct the view of any traffic control sign or electronic device or the illumination of any public street light by any person traversing any street, alley, or sidewalk is declared to be a nuisance. (b) Any owner, occupant, or person having control over any premises that abuts any street, alley, or sidewalk that is in the condition described in subsection (a) shall trim the same. Any owner, occupant, or person having control that does not trim may be served with a health violation ticket as provided for in Chapter 95 of this Code. (c) Any person violating the provisions of this subchapter shall be liable to the city and to private persons or entities for any injury or damage arising therefrom.
Full Breakdown
Springfield regulates private tree trimming through Title IX, Chapter 99, Article III of the City Code. 20 makes overhanging or obstructing tree growth a nuisance and places the trimming duty squarely on the abutting property owner; failure to trim can draw a health violation ticket under Chapter 95 of the Code. 21, where owners fail to comply after notice, the city traffic engineer causes the required trimming to be done at city expense and the city may recover that cost by suit. Trees in the public parkway (the strip between street and sidewalk) fall under the jurisdiction of the City Arborist, and the city's Arboricultural Specifications Manual (ASM), which implements the Urban Forestry Ordinance at Title IX, Chapter 102, requires a Tree Work Permit from the City Arborist before anyone prunes, removes, or otherwise works on a City-owned (parkway) tree.
The ASM also prohibits topping and pollarding of City-owned trees except by written permission of the Arborist, and bars 'excessive pruning' (removing more than 25 percent of the crown or root system, or pruning that fails to conform to ANSI A-300 standards).
Violations & Fines
An owner who fails to trim after notice may be served a health violation ticket under Chapter 95. Under Section 99.21 the city may perform the trimming and recover the cost by suit. Violators are also liable to the city and to private persons for any injury or damage arising from the untrimmed vegetation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How high must I trim branches over the sidewalk and street?
Do I need a permit to trim a tree in the parkway strip?
What happens if I do not trim my tree?
Sources & Official References
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