Lake County, IL Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)
Key Facts
- Planting rate
- 2 trees per 100 ft of street
- Minimum size
- 3-inch caliper
- Species
- From UDO Appendix A
- Tree ownership
- Township Road District property
- Scope
- Unincorporated subdivisions only
Summary
Subdivisions built in unincorporated Lake County must plant two street trees per 100 feet of frontage, at least 3 inches in caliper, chosen from the county's approved species list.
(1) Plant quantities shall be calculated using a minimum standard of two trees for each 100 feet of street length. ... (4) The trees shall generally be placed between the sidewalk and right-of-way line for streets with closed drainage and at least 30 feet from the centerline of the right-of-way for streets with open drainage. Tree locations shall be approved by the Township Highway Commissioner and the County Engineer. (5) All trees located in the street right-of-way shall be the property of the Township Road District.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-15: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. 26-0618, passed 6-9-2026 | State legislation current through ILCS Pamphlet 2025 #5).
Full Breakdown
Lake County's Unified Development Ordinance requires new subdivisions in unincorporated territory to plant street trees at a rate of two trees per 100 feet of street length, calculated separately for each side of the street. Species must come from the UDO's Appendix A list or receive Township Highway Commissioner approval, trees must be at least 3 inches in caliper, and placement is set by drainage type, between the sidewalk and right-of-way line for closed drainage, or at least 30 feet from the centerline for open drainage. The Township Highway Commissioner and County Engineer approve tree locations, and the planted trees become property of the Township Road District. The rule reaches only unincorporated county land, Waukegan, Highland Park, Gurnee, Libertyville and other municipalities set their own parkway tree rules.
Violations & Fines
Planting inconsistent with §151.199 is a violation of the subdivision standards (§§151.185-151.204); the county can withhold, condition, or revoke development and site permits and block final plat approval until corrected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this rule apply inside Waukegan or Highland Park?
Who approves where street trees go?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lake County
Compare Lake County to another location·View the Illinois tree protection overview
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