Chicago's Bureau of Forestry within Streets and Sanitation has exclusive jurisdiction over parkway trees under MCC 10-32. Private property tree removal is largely unregulated, but parkway and park trees are protected with strict permit and replacement requirements.
MCC 10-32-010 through 10-32-260 protect public parkway trees, prohibiting unauthorized pruning, removal, injury, or paving over root zones. Only the Bureau of Forestry or its contractors may prune or remove parkway trees, and any damage caused by construction or excavation requires the contractor to pay a tree appraisal value plus replacement, typically $1,000 to $10,000 per tree depending on diameter and species. Heritage and large-diameter trees, plus protected species like American Elm, Bur Oak, and Kentucky Coffeetree on park property, receive higher valuations. Private trees on private property are generally not regulated, but development projects subject to MCC 17 zoning landscape plans must preserve specified trees and replace any removed.
Damaging or removing a parkway tree without permit triggers MCC 10-32-110 fines of $300 to $1,500 per tree plus appraised tree value, and contractors face license suspension and stop-work orders.
Chicago, IL
Removal of parkway trees (in the public right-of-way) requires authorization from the Bureau of Forestry under MCC 10-32. Private trees on private property d...
Chicago, IL
Chicago requires replacement of parkway trees damaged or removed during construction with a minimum 4-inch caliper B&B tree under MCC 10-32. The city also pl...
Chicago, IL
Chicago does not have a formal heritage tree or landmark tree ordinance. However, parkway trees of significant size or age receive practical protection throu...
See how Chicago's protected tree species rules stack up against other locations.
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