Default rule and exceptions
Chicago's Bureau of Forestry plants, prunes, maintains, and removes the City's 500,000+ parkway trees under Municipal Code Ch. 10-32; the abutting owner's only mandated duty is watering/fertilizing zoning-required trees and routine parkway-lawn care.
| Party | What they are responsible for |
|---|---|
| Property owner | Water and fertilize parkway trees required to be installed under the zoning code, and provide routine care of the parkway lawn. |
| City | DSS Bureau of Forestry plants, prunes, cultivates, maintains, and removes trees on parkways, medians, or other public property under its jurisdiction. |
| Exceptions | None on record |
What the source says
Last verified against the primary source on Sep 24, 2026.
Chicago has more than 500,000 parkway trees and each is maintained by the DSS Bureau of Forestry.
[T]he deputy commissioner shall have the authority: (a) To plant, prune, cultivate, maintain and remove any tree, shrub or other plant material now or hereafter located on a parkway, median or other public property under his jurisdiction...The owner or person in control of property contiguous to the parkway shall be responsible for watering and fertilizing parkway trees required to be installed pursuant to Title 17, Section 5.13A* of the city's zoning code and for routine care of the parkway lawn.
City rules rest on state law. Read Illinois's sidewalk statute, quoted verbatim, or see all 50 states in one table.
Common questions
Who pays for street tree / parkway in Chicago, IL?
The city / utility. Water and fertilize parkway trees required to be installed under the zoning code, and provide routine care of the parkway lawn.
What is this based on for Chicago, IL?
This verdict is sourced to City of Chicago :: Forestry and 2 sources in total, each independently re-checked before publication.
Sources
- City of Chicago :: Forestryofficial-guide · verified-primary · accessed 2026-09-13
- Municipal Code of Chicago § 10-32-030 (Authority of deputy commissioner) and § 10-32-050 (Care of parkway)regulation · verified-primary · accessed 2026-09-13
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