If you’re asking these questions, you’ve come to the right place. Galesburg residents have a number of options on how to landscape their terraces. The City requires that you keep your yard and terrace well maintained and free of noxious weeds but allows you to plant a wide variety of plants.
Some basic terms: Your yard is the area between the building and the sidewalk or adjoining lot line. The terrace is the area between the curb or edge of roadway and the sidewalk or adjoining lot line.
- Prior to planting residents should apply for our NO COST landscape permit and provide a landscape plan or sketch. To apply, call 309-345-3623 or visit the Public Works Department on the 2nd floor of City Hall located at 55 W. Tompkins Street.
- Call JULIE LOCATE SERVICE at 1-800-892-0123 or 811 before digging as most terraces have underground utilities (know that the City may need to dig up whatever you plant there in the event of street or utility construction).
In both your yard and terrace, there are some limits on how high your plantings can be. This is about safety and visibility. In areas at intersections with streets or near driveways, plantings should not be taller than 18 inches (see zones A and B in figure below), within a one foot border adjacent to curbs and sidewalks they should not be taller than 12 inches (see zone C in figure below) and the rest of the terrace area planting should not be taller than 30 inches ( see all other zones in figure below); also, you may not plant anything within a 6 foot radius of a fire hydrant (see figure below).
Approved plantings include any non-woody plantings such as flower gardens, natural grasses or other plants provided they comply with the height restrictions based on their placement. Terrace tree plantings require a separate $15 permit and permission from the City Arborist or Parks Superintendent.
The City Engineer shall have the right to remove or restrict any terrace plantings or landscape features that are deemed to interfere with safety, maintenance operations or other authorized terrace usage.
Zones A and B in the public right of way – Less than 18 inches in height
Zone C – Less than 12 inches in height
All other areas in the terrace and area in the sight triangle – Less than 30 inches in height