Berwyn, IL Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)

Chapter 1028 of the Berwyn Code of Ordinances governs trees on public grounds and parkways, which § 1028.01 defines as street trees. Under § 1028.02, the Department of Public Works selects the species and plants the tree unless the Director of Public Works authorizes otherwise, and no person can plant shrubs or conifer trees on a city parkway.

Section 1028.03 sets the planting geometry. Street trees are spaced 25 feet apart, and none can be closer together than 25 feet unless a landscape architect designs or approves a special planting with the written permission of the Director of Public Works. No tree goes closer than three feet to any sidewalk or curb. At a street corner, the setback is 50 feet from the near side and 25 feet from the far side, measured from the nearest intersection, curb or curb line. Other clearances are 10 feet from any fire hydrant, 20 feet from an alley entrance, 15 feet from a commercial entrance and 10 feet from a residential driveway.

Utilities set two more limits in § 1028.03(D) and (E). No tree can be planted under or within ten lateral feet of an overhead utility wire, or over or within five lateral feet of an underground water line, sewer line or other utility, and all underground utilities must be located before planting with any device that goes beyond a depth of 12 inches.

The construction rule in § 1028.03(F) is specific to Berwyn: whenever a permit request is made for new construction or for demolition of an old structure, the contractor or person doing the work plants at least one tree for every 35 feet of frontage. The tree must be a species the Director of Public Works allows and must have a diameter at the base of not less than two inches. Any permit under Chapter 1028 must describe the work and expires 60 days after issuance (§ 1028.16). Under § 1028.13, nobody can place stone, cement or similar material on a street, park or parkway in a way that cuts off water and air to a tree's roots without leaving an open space, unless Public Works issues a written permit.