Cook County Tree Preservation Ordinance 19-3158, codified in Chapter 102 zoning, requires removal permits for protected and heritage trees on unincorporated lots. Native oaks, hickories, and trees over 20-inch DBH are protected; replacement and mitigation are mandatory for permitted removals.
Cook County Tree Preservation Ordinance 19-3158 (adopted 2019, codified in Chapter 102 zoning) governs tree removal on unincorporated Cook County properties of one acre or larger and on all developments requiring zoning approval. The ordinance protects native oak species (Quercus alba, Q. rubra, Q. macrocarpa, Q. velutina, Q. ellipsoidalis), hickories (Carya), and any tree of 20-inch DBH or greater regardless of species. Removal requires a tree removal permit from Building and Zoning, replacement at a mitigation ratio scaled by DBH (often 1 inch removed = 1.5 inches replanted), and species selection from the county's native plant list. Suburban municipalities run separate tree ordinances; the county rule applies only in unincorporated areas.
Unpermitted removal of a protected oak, hickory, or 20-inch-DBH tree on unincorporated Cook County land violates Ordinance 19-3158 and triggers per-inch-DBH fines plus mandatory replacement. Developer-scale violations can carry $5,000+ daily fines and stop-work orders.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Skokie, IL
Aircraft overflight noise in Skokie is regulated by the FAA, not the Village. Skokie lies within the O'Hare International Airport noise corridor, and residen...
Skokie, IL
Skokie restricts lawn equipment use — including gas and electric leaf blowers — to 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM Monday through Saturday and 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Sunda...
Skokie, IL
Skokie enforces a village-wide overnight parking ban from 2:00 AM to 6:00 AM on all public streets. Residents and guests must obtain an overnight parking per...
Skokie, IL
Skokie Village Code Chapter 98 prohibits parking recreational vehicles, boats, trailers, and campers on residential streets or in front yards. RVs and boats ...
Skokie, IL
Skokie prohibits parking of commercial vehicles over 8,000 pounds gross weight on residential streets and driveways overnight. Box trucks, semi-tractors, and...
Skokie, IL
Skokie limits residential fences to 4 feet in front yards and 6 feet in side and rear yards. Corner lots have additional sight-line restrictions at intersect...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Cook County.
See how Skokie's protected tree species rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.