Peoria, IL Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)

Chapter 29, the Shade Tree Ordinance, defines the parkway as the public area between the sidewalk and the curb, or the part of the right-of-way not used for vehicular or pedestrian traffic, in Sec. 29-2. Sec. 29-4(d) fixes tree planting sites: trees must stand at least 30 feet apart if small (mature height 15 feet or less), 40 feet apart if medium (15 to 50 feet), and 50 feet apart if large (50 feet or more). No tree may go within 35 feet of an intersection or a traffic control sign, ten feet of a fire hydrant, or five feet of an underground utility line, and only small trees are allowed directly under overhead utility lines.

Distance from the curb, pavement, or sidewalk itself must be at least two feet for a small tree, three feet for a medium tree, and four feet for a large tree. Before any of this planting happens, Sec. 29-3 requires anyone doing arboricultural work for hire on a street or municipally owned property to file an application with the city arborist at least 48 hours in advance and obtain a permit, which carries no fee; the arborist issues it only if the work follows the city's adopted Arboricultural Specifications and Standards of Practice, and any permit is void if its terms are violated. Sec. 1 standard.