Dead and dangerous trees in Palatine
The code's tree article covers all trees, plants and shrubs in public rights-of-way and public places, and those on private property that constitute a hazard or threat. A tree or shrub overhanging a sidewalk, roadway, or other adjoining property so as to impede traffic or travel must be trimmed by the owner of the premises where it grows, and a tree or limb likely to fall on a public or private place must be removed by that owner, each within 10 days of written notice from the public works director.
Elm and ash under Palatine's code
Palatine's nuisance section2 makes it unlawful for a property owner to permit an elm tree infected with Dutch elm disease or an ash tree infested with emerald ash borer to remain on their property. Both are declared nuisances. After the Village notifies the owner that the tree is in fact diseased or infested, the tree must be removed and destroyed within 10 days. When no action follows, the Village may do the work itself and bill the cost to the property owner. Village staff may inspect elm or ash trees on private property they suspect of disease or infestation, and take samples.
Permits for yard trees in Palatine
Palatine's subdivision regulations3 require developers to make every reasonable effort to preserve healthy trees of 4 inches diameter or larger, measured 12 inches above grade, and to mark those trees on the preliminary plat. That rule applies when land is being divided for development.
Whether a private tree that is not a hazard requires a permit is a question for the Village.
Parkway trees in Palatine
The Palatine Forestry Division4 is responsible for more than 25,000 parkway trees along Village streets and boulevards. It conducts all maintenance of parkway trees,5 including trimming, removal and replacement. Its arborists6 determine whether a parkway tree is dead, declining or hazardous; trees that cannot be saved go on the removal list.
It is unlawful under Palatine's code1 to remove or cut any tree in a street, parkway, or other public place without a permit from the Director of Public Works. The code also states that anyone doing tree planting, removal, or trimming for compensation in a parkway or public place must hold a Village license and obtain a permit from the Director for each job.
Topping public trees is also addressed: the code defines topping as the severe cutting back of limbs to stubs larger than 3 inches in diameter within the crown, removing the normal canopy, and says it is unlawful as a normal practice for any street, park, or public tree.
Trees at corners
Palatine's code1 says owners must trim trees, shrubs and planted vegetation so they do not obstruct the view at street intersections. Within a 20 foot radius of a corner point, the lowest limb of a tree must be at least 5 feet above the ground, or 3 feet above the top of corner shrubs, whichever is higher. The Village can address questions about a given corner.
Brush in Palatine
Palatine offers two brush collection options. For the annual winter pickup, loose brush goes to the curb for the first Monday in February;7 the next scheduled date is February 1, 2027. Material must be out by 7 a.m. That is one pass per street, no repeat collections.
For the regular season from April through December, Groot picks up bundled brush7 on the refuse day. Bundles must be secured with biodegradable cotton twine or rope and stay at or under 4 feet long and 60 pounds. For regular yard waste8 collection, bundles must also stay at 2 feet in diameter or less, and branches must be 4 inches in diameter or less. Logs and stumps are not accepted.
Palatine brush limits by pickup
The Village's limits for each route. The winter pickup takes loose brush, not bundles.
Public Works does not pick up brush after every storm. After severe storms, the Village decides whether a special collection is needed; if one is called, the Forestry Division makes one pass to collect fallen tree limbs.
Storms in Palatine
NOAA Storm Events9 logs 13 wind entries for Palatine from 1996 through 2026; 11 name trees, limbs or branches in the description.
On June 10, 2026, a report at Palatine describes multiple trees and power lines blown down. An August 16, 2025, entry for a location 1.24 miles southeast of the Village reports numerous broken branches (most of them several inches in diameter), at least one tree split at the trunk, and another uprooted.
Palatine's code1 says companies with poles and wires in public places must keep those wires away from trees as far as possible and keep the trees properly trimmed, unless a franchise agreement says otherwise.
Where storm damage leaves a tree in contact with a power line, treat the wire as live and keep clear. Do not attempt to move any part of the tree. A line on the ground,10 on fire, or sparking calls for 911, as does any injury at the scene. To report a limb on a ComEd line,11 reach ComEd at 1-800-334-7661.
Palatine's housing
Palatine's 28,469 housing units have a median year built of 1977, per the Census ACS data;12 about 7,727 come from the 1970s and about 2,927 from 2000 or later. The stock13 includes about 12,089 detached single-family homes, about 4,409 attached single-family units, and about 9,781 units in buildings of five or more, with about 67 percent of the Village's households owning their home.
Contractor registration in Palatine
Palatine handles contractor registrations14 online through the Citizen Self Service portal, on a page that does not name tree work; all registrations expire December 31.