URBAN FORESTRY/TREE PRESERVATION

Springfield, Ill., City Code tit. IX, ch. 102

in effect

Springfield, Ill., City Code § 102.01 Purpose.

§ 102.01. - Purpose. (a) The purpose of this chapter [is] to promote and protect the public health, safety, and general welfare by preserving, protecting and enhancing the urban forest located on public land. (b) The urban forest is a critical infrastructure, which provides services to the entire community, by the regulations and goals with respect to the planting, maintenance, protection, preservation, and removal of trees, shrubs, and other plants. (c) Urban forest protection and tree preservation are necessary to protect, preserve, conserve and enhance the city's natural, physical and aesthetic environment. (d) Trees enhance our quality of life: (1) Trees produce oxygen; absorb pollution from the air; and sequester carbon dioxide; (2) Trees stabilize soils, reduce erosion, and filter pollution from stormwater; (3) Trees reduce flooding by slowing and absorbing water; (4) Trees reduce energy consumption and moderate heat islands by shielding structures from harsh winds and sun; (5) Trees provide a buffer and screen against noise, light and pollution; (6) Trees improve property values and improve commercial district buyer traffic; (7) Areas with trees have higher levels of community interaction and lower crime rates; (8) Trees provide habitat for the living creatures around us: Birds, butterflies, and other wildlife; (9) Larger trees provide larger benefits. When a large tree is removed and replaced with a smaller tree, the benefits and services are reduced. (Ord. No. 285-07-22, § 1(Exh. A), 7-5-22)

Springfield, Ill., City Code § 102.02 Definitions.

§ 102.02. - Definitions. For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning. Arboricultural Specifications and Standards of Practice for Springfield (hereinafter, "Arboricultural Specifications Manual"). A manual prepared by the arborist pursuant to the ordinance containing administrative regulations and also standards for the planting, maintenance, and removal of trees, shrubs, and other plants. Arborist. The city arborist of Springfield, Illinois. City-owned property. Property within the corporate limits of the City of Springfield, Illinois, and (1) Owned by the City in fee simple absolute, or (2) Implied or expressly dedicated to the public for present or future use for purposes of vehicular or pedestrian traffic, or for public easements. Desirable trees. Trees listed in appendices A, B, and C of the Arboricultural Specifications Manual as being desirable in parkways. Infrastructure. The basic underlying framework or features that provide collective services, including, but not limited to, roads, waterlines, storm sewers, bioswales, landscaping, and trees. Invasive species. An introduced or exotic species that significantly modifies or disrupts the ecosystem in which it colonizes (e.g. Callery pear). Landscape plan. A plan approved by the city defining the location and species of plants and associated hardscape including grading. See section 155.480, landscape, screening, and lighting regulations. Nuisance trees. Nuisance trees are trees that may provide potential impacts to other trees, people, or structures. This would include, but not be limited to, diseased, infested, structurally unsound trees or known invasive species. Property owner. The record owner or contract purchaser of any parcel of land. Trees, shrubs, and other plants. All vegetation, woody or otherwise, except lawn grass and flowers less than 24 inches in height. Urban forestry plan (the "plan"). A five-year or more detailed plan, developed under the direction of a certified arborist or forester and approved by the City of Springfield, Illinois. The plan shall outline strategies for tree planting, care, and preservation, which comply with recognized national standards. (Ord. No. 585-10-03, § 1(Exh. 1), 10-21-03; Ord. No. 285-07-22, § 1(Exh. A), 7-5-22)

Springfield, Ill., City Code § 102.10 The Springfield Urban Forestry Commission: establishment, composition, appointment of members, duties.

§ 102.10. - The Springfield Urban Forestry Commission: establishment, composition, appointment of members, duties. (a) Establishment. The Springfield Urban Forestry Commission ("UFC") is hereby established. Its functions and duties are limited to those as set forth in this chapter. (b) Composition. The UFC shall be composed of ten commissioners. Seven commissioners shall be appointed by the mayor with the approval of the city council. These seven commissioners shall serve without pay and shall reside within the City of Springfield, Illinois. The remaining three commissioners shall be ex-officio and shall not vote. The three ex-officio commissioners shall be: The director of public works (or his/her representative), the general manager of public utilities (or his/her representative), and the arborist. Subject to the exceptions in subsection (c), immediately below, each commissioner of the UFC shall serve for a term of three years. (c) Appointment of members. Three of the seven commissioners initially appointed to the UFC who is not an ex-officio member shall serve for a term of one year; two of the seven commissioners initially appointed shall serve for a term of two years; and, two of the seven commissioners initially appointed shall serve for a term of three years. All terms shall start on a common date. Determination of the length of terms of the seven commissioners initially appointed shall be by lot. The director of public works shall designate the chairperson of the UFC. The commissioners appointed pursuant to ordinance 4-1-96 shall serve an initial term to expire on the date all other commissioners' terms expire and then shall serve three year terms. (d) Expiration or vacation of terms. Within 30 days following the expiration of the terms of any appointed commissioner, a successor shall be appointed by the mayor with the approval of the city council, and the successor shall serve for a term of three years. Should any commissioner resign or be removed from the [UFC], a successor shall be appointed by the mayor with the approval of the city council and shall serve for the unexpired period of the vacated term. A member of the UFC may be removed by the mayor with the approval of a majority of the city council. (e) Duties and responsibilities. (1) Within a reasonable time after the appointment of the UFC, upon call of the chairperson of the UFC, the UFC shall meet and adopt rules of procedure for regular and special meetings. The UFC shall meet at least, but not limited to, six times per year. (2) The UFC shall advise and consult the arborist on any of the following matters: a. Amendments to the Springfield Urban Forestry/Tree Protection Ordinance, Arboricultural Specifications Manual, or the urban forestry plan; b. Policy concerning selections, planting, maintenance, and removal of trees, shrubs, and other plants on city-owned property; c. Allocation of funds, grants or gifts to the City of Springfield intended for use by the city arborist, and all expenditures of said funds by the city arborist; d. Establishment or presentation of educational and/or informational horticultural programs for the City of Springfield; e. Development of policies and procedures regarding the arborist's duties; f. Issuance of permits or licenses required by the city Code in accordance with this chapter or procedures, rules or regulations approved by the UFC; g. Development of procedures, rules or regulations pursuant to or in accordance with this chapter. (Ord. No. 254-5-01, § 1, 5-1-01; Ord. No. 585-10-03, § 1(Exh. 1), 10-21-03; Ord. No. 285-07-22, § 1(Exh. A), 7-5-22)

Springfield, Ill., City Code § 102.20 City arborist: establishment, duties.

§ 102.20. - City arborist: establishment, duties. (a) Establishment. The position of arborist in the City of Springfield, Illinois is hereby established. The arborist shall be an individual experienced in the profession of forestry or a related field and licensed or certified in forestry by an accredited forestry industry body, e.g. International Society of Arboriculture. (b) Duties. The arborist shall perform the following duties: (1) The arborist and/or a city-approved certified arborist or forester, with the assistance of the UFC, shall develop, and each subsequent year, update the urban forestry plan. The plan shall outline urban forestry program activities for a minimum of the next five years. The plan shall describe the urban forestry activities to be undertaken by the city, the reasons for those activities, the means of accomplishing the activities, the possible funding source(s), the alternatives available to the city to fund or accomplish the activity and the projected date of completion. Activities set forth in the plan may include, but are not limited to, street tree inventory, planting, tree removal, beautification projects, and horticultural educational projects or programs. (2) The arborist, with the assistance of the UFC, shall develop and periodically review and revise, as necessary, the Arboricultural Specifications Manual. This manual shall contain regulations and standards for the planting, maintenance, pruning, species restrictions, and removal of trees, shrubs and other plants upon city-owned property. (3) The arborist shall cause the urban forestry plan and the Arboricultural Specifications Manual, and all revisions and amendments to it, to be published and promulgated and shall cause three copies of the manual and all revisions and amendments to it, to be available for public inspection at the office of city clerk. Notice that such information is available for public inspection shall be posted at the entrance of the municipal building at least one week day of each of four consecutive weeks immediately following the initial availability of the Arboricultural Specifications Manual, or revisions or amendments thereto. The Arboricultural Specifications Manual, and any revisions and additions thereto shall become effective on the fifth day following the final publication as required under this section. (4) The arborist shall make available for public inspection a copy of the urban forestry/tree protection ordinance, information about the activities of the UFC, a copy of the Arboricultural Specifications Manual and a copy of the urban forestry plan. Copies may be purchased also at the office of the city clerk. (5) The arborist shall administer the urban forestry plan, the urban forestry/tree protection ordinance, and the provisions of the Arboricultural Specifications Manual. (6) The arborist shall perform or direct whatever acts are necessary, including the planting and maintenance of trees, the removal of undesirable trees, shrubs, and other plants to ensure that they conform with the urban forestry plan and the Arboricultural Specifications Manual. (c) Public utility companies. Nothing in this section shall be construed to exempt any public utility company or their agents from any of the requirements of this chapter or the urban forestry plan or the Arboricultural Specifications and Standards of Practice Manual. (Ord. No. 285-07-22, § 1(Exh. A), 7-5-22)

Springfield, Ill., City Code § 102.30 Administrative review by executive assistant to the mayor.

§ 102.30. - Administrative review by executive assistant to the mayor. The executive assistant to the mayor shall have the authority to review the conduct, acts and decisions of the city arborist and the tree commission decisions. Any person may appeal from any ruling or final decision of the executive assistant to the mayor to the city council who may review the matter and affirm, modify or repeal said decision. This provision shall not prevent any individual from appealing said decision of the city council to a court of competent jurisdiction. (Ord. No. 585-10-03, § 1(Exh. 1), 10-21-03)

Springfield, Ill., City Code § 102.40 Protection of public property trees, shrubs and other plants.

§ 102.40. - Protection of public property trees, shrubs and other plants. The requirements of the Arboricultural Specifications Manual are hereby adopted as the standard of care for the city's green infrastructure. Any work being conducted which may impact public property trees, shrubs, and other plants must comply as follows: (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to remove, injure or undertake any procedure which will cause death, substantial damage, or create a hazard, to any public property tree, shrub, or plant, without first applying for and receiving a tree permit from the city arborist, unless otherwise authorized by this section. (b) Tree, shrub, or plant removal permits must be applied for and issued by the city before work can commence. (e) Tree, shrub, or plant management practices, including planting, maintenance, pruning, and protection shall comply with the most recent edition of the American National Standards Institute, ANSI A300. (d) In the event of any construction or site improvement which may impact public property trees, shrubs, or plants, a free protection plan must be approved by the city arborist. Trees to be saved or removed shall be clearly marked on both the plan and at the job site. (e) Trees, shrubs, or plants that are removed shall be replaced with trees listed as desirable in appendices A, B, or C of the Arboricultural Specifications Manual to take full advantage of the size of the planting space, i.e., large trees in large spaces, medium trees in medium spaces and small trees in small places, subject to the discretion of the arborist. Trees that are damaged shall be remediated. The city may exercise its rights in recovering any damages or expenses. The city may pursue expenses for replacing or remediating a tree which has been damaged, removed, or made non-viable. (Ord. No. 285-07-22, § 1(Exh. A), 7-5-22)

Springfield, Ill., City Code § 102.999 Violation and penalty.

§ 102.999. - Violation and penalty. Any person who violates any provision of this chapter or who fails to comply with any notice issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, upon being found guilty of violation, in addition to any assessed costs, shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $500 for each separate offense, each day during which any violation of the provisions of this chapter shall occur or continue shall be a separate offense. (Ord. No. 285-07-22, § 1(Exh. A), 7-5-22)

Source: City of Springfield, Illinois, Code of Ordinances (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/il/springfield/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITIXGERE_CH102URFOTRPRFetched: 11/8/2026