Lake Zurich adopts tree ordinance

Lake Zurich residents must get a $50 permit to cut down a tree more than 10 inches in diameter on private property.

The requirement is part of a revised tree ordinance adopted by the village board Monday night.

Residents can consult with the village arborist on whether a tree is in an unsafe location, diseased or weakened enough to warrant removal without a permit, Village Administrator John Dixon said.

"We just want to make sure (removals) are done safely and completely, particularly if they have a disease," Dixon said.

Residents can get a permit waiver if a tree is dead, dangerously close to power lines, a hazard to people, property or other nearby trees, and it is obstructing free passage or view of streets, walks, driveways or paths. A permit or release is not needed for removal of trees damaged during a storm.

Anyone who removes a tree 10 inches or larger in diameter without a permit or waiver could be fined no less than $25 and no more than $750 for each violation.

Lake Zurich's original tree ordinance regulated only tree-cutting in planned unit developments and subdivisions with multiple housing.

"This new ordinance has no impact on that," tree commissioner Al Froehde said. "Those requirements still stand."

The permit requirement for cutting trees on private properties was added to help preserve trees after the village started seeing more frequent demolition of existing homes.

"This is slanted at when somebody does a tear down and a rebuild. It's (for) the protection of the trees that are on that property," Froehde said.

The permit also protects against arbitrary cutting of healthy trees by private property owners, he said.

"This is similar to ordinances that are in place in many other municipalities, and it is not as strict," Froehde said. Towns such as Northbrook, Highland Park and Deerfield have far stricter ordinances, he said.