Landscape Architect and Drawing Requirements

The requirements for landscape drawings and the eligibility of who is able to and required to stamp landscape drawings for permit has had some changes in Chicago.

The title of Landscape Architect is a legislated/registered title, meaning that you cannot present yourself as a landscape architect without holding a license. Per the Landscape Architecture Registration Act, in Illinois, no person shall use the title "registered landscape architect" or "landscape architect" without being so registered by the Department. This act is effective January 1, 2024, and is scheduled to be repealed January 1, 2027 and requires that all landscape architects meet the requirements for licensure, including graduating from an approved landscape architecture program, documented experience and hours of work in the industry, as well as passing the CLARB’s Landscape Architect Registration Examination (LARE). Once all of these requirements are met, the landscape architect must also obtain a unique stamp to seal drawings.

Note that the act does allow for prior registrations under the Illinois Landscape Architecture Act of 1989 to be continued. A person who was actively registered under the previous act and had renewed his or her registration before January 1, 2020, may have his or her registration restored without fee upon the effective date.
Beyond these state licensing requirements for licensure, the City of Chicago has specific requirements for what information is required to be included on the landscape drawings. The city lists the following items as required. Note that this is a summary of the City’s requirements, and a full list of requirements can be found here:

• Notation of scale (no smaller than 1" = 40'0")
• Estimated time of planting. Only June 15 or December 15 of any given year can be used
• North arrow
• Property lines, easements and right-of-way frontage, with dimensions
• Sight triangles at intersections and at alley driveway curb cuts.
• Total vehicular use area calculations
• Location and dimensions of all landscaped areas including perimeter screening, parkway plantings and interior landscaping; location, botanical name and size of all plant material and ground cover; and the location of other pertinent landscape features.
• Location of existing and proposed street lights and fire hydrants in public rights-of-way
• Size and location of all existing and proposed public and private utility improvements within the public rights-of-way
• Proposed layout of vehicular use areas including the location, dimensions of parking spaces, curb islands, interior plantings, pedestrian walkways and maneuvering aisles.
• Location of all existing mature trees on site that the applicant proposes to remove; the location of all trees with caliper greater than 2" which are to be retained and counted towards the minimum requirements.
• Location, design, height and building material of all proposed walls, planter boxes and fences.
• Indicate street traffic direction arrows
• A certified statement, signed by the owner(s) committing to the maintenance of required landscaping.

Beyond these specific drawing requirements, all landscaping must follow the standards and requirements of the Chicago Landscape Ordinance, linked here (https://www.chicago.gov/conten...) and are reviewed for compliance as a part of the building permit review process. Note that the drawings can be stamped by a Landscape Architect or an Architect.

Let us know if you have any questions regarding landscape drawing requirements.