Friday, May 31, 2024 | View in browser
EVANSTON, IL - In September 2023, the City Council unanimously passed Ordinance 15-O-23, a significant step in protecting the urban canopy on private property in the City of Evanston. This initiative aligns with the City’s climate readiness strategy, as outlined in the Climate Action and Resilience Plan (CARP).
Tree Preservation Permit
Starting Saturday, June 1, a Tree Preservation Permit will be required to protect trees on private property during construction. Tree removal is permitted in cases where the tree is dead, poses a significant risk to people or property, is invasive, or is expected to fail imminently. The permit request form should outline the reason for the removal and can be submitted by either the property owner or the contractor. An arborist from the city will review the permit request, conduct a site visit if necessary, and respond within 14 days. Emergency removals are allowed as specified on the webpage and in the Tree Canopy Preservation Policy.
What is the process for obtaining the tree preservation permit?
When a property owner would like to build or do construction on their property within 25 feet of a tree, a tree preservation permit will be needed. This includes digging or making changes to the outside of the property near the tree, like the roots, trunk, or branches. The Tree Canopy Preservation Policy outlines permit requirements, including a diagram showing the location and size of the trees relative to the proposed construction. The property owner or the contractor must submit a plan to protect the trees during construction. If a tree is to be removed, this needs to be included in the building permit application.
What is the cost?
The cost to obtain a Tree Preservation Permit is $80. However, the Tree Canopy Preservation Policy classifies trees based on their size and species and mandates ecosystem mitigation. If the planting requirements are not fulfilled, removals may require a fee at the current rates. Information about tree preservation can be found on the City's Tree Preservation Permits website.
For more information, please call/text 847-448-4311. For convenience, community members may simply dial 3-1-1 in Evanston.
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Media Contact: Cynthia Vargas
cvargas@cityofevanston.org
Phone: 847-448-8234
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