Cook County, IL Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)
Key Facts
- Tree spacing
- 30 feet center-to-center minimum
- Minimum trunk size
- 2½ inches in diameter
- Applies to
- Unincorporated Cook County only
- Triggered by
- Building permit or landscape plan
- Enforcement
- Building and Zoning Commissioner
Summary
New development in unincorporated Cook County must plant parkway trees between the street and property line, spaced at least 30 feet apart, under the County's landscaping and screening ordinance.
Parkway areas, which is that portion of the public way between a public street and the nearest parallel property line including sidewalk areas, shall be planted with trees at a minimum distance of 30 feet from center to center. Each parkway tree shall have a minimum diameter of 2½ inches as measured at a point six inches above grade level. Existing parkway trees of 2½ inches diameter or greater located within the parkway of the property may be counted towards the requirements of this section, provided that such trees are protected in accordance with this article.
Full Breakdown
Cook County Code § 126-65(f) requires the parkway strip, the portion of the public way between the street and the nearest parallel property line, including the sidewalk area, to be planted with trees spaced no more than 30 feet apart, center to center. Each parkway tree must measure at least 2½ inches in diameter six inches above grade, and existing qualifying trees can count toward the requirement if protected under the tree preservation article. Trees must be deciduous native hardwoods from the county's approved list, such as red maple, hackberry, honeylocust, or linden. The rule attaches to landscape plans filed with building permits for principal structures, PUDs, and larger parking lots in unincorporated Cook County.
Violations & Fines
Skipping required parkway plantings, using non-approved species, or removing protected parkway trees without preservation measures violates the ordinance and can trigger fines and injunctive relief under Article 13 of the Zoning Ordinance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this parkway tree rule apply in Chicago or other Cook County towns?
What tree species can be planted in the parkway?
Can an existing tree in the parkway satisfy the planting requirement?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cook County
Compare Cook County to another location·View the Illinois tree protection overview
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