Tree Canopy Preservation

City Council passed a tree ordinance to protect tree canopy on private property. Starting on June 1st, 2024, trees on private property are protected from construction damage  and removal. Any exterior project that is going to be within 25 feet of any private or public tree (including the trunk, branches, and roots) requires a tree preservation permit. 

The City of Evanston recognizes that tree canopy provide innumerable benefits to the well-being of the community -- people, wildlife, and other plants benefit from having healthy trees. Protecting trees also helps the City to meet its environmental and climate resilience goals, which are outlined in the Climate Resilience Action Plan (CARP). A recent study by the Chicago Region Trees Initiative uses remote sensing to estimate that 7 out of every 10 trees are on private property, which represents the majority of the tree benefits this community receives.

Any person or company performing any construction, or other activities, within 25 feet of any public or private tree is required to apply for a permit. This construction may be in the City of right of way, in a front yard, side yard, or back yard. The City will evaluate the request and issue a permit when the work is expected to impact a tree. In the majority of cases, the work will impact some portion of the tree -- most commonly the roots.

Click here for more information on tree canopy preservation permits and to apply.

The City prioritizes the safety of its community. Trees that are imminently threatening the safety of people and/or property may be removed and a permit will be issued retroactively. The property owner and tree care company should take pictures and document the emergency. These pictures should be submitted to the City during the permit request process. 

Trees on private property can only be removed if either:

• the tree removal is related to a construction project; or
• the tree is dead/imminently dying/ diseased (with a severe pest or disease that kills trees)

If a property owner wants to remove a tree for other reasons, a variation must be granted by the Human Services Committee. 

To request a variation, follow these steps:

1. The property owner should fill out and submit this form
2. The request will be heard at an upcoming, regularly scheduled HSC meeting
3. Per City code, the property owner is required to notify neighbors
4. The HSC will decide whether to grant the variation
5. If the variation is granted, the property owner will receive a permit to remove the tree, including mitigation requirements as appropriate