To become a Tree City USA community, four standards must be met:
- A tree board, department, or commission to be accountable for the management of city municipal trees. Smaller cities, like Vermilion, usually establish a commission of nonpaid volunteers.
- A basic tree care ordinance, passed by city council, establishing a tree commission establishing a tree board or commission giving them responsibility for public tree care and providing for guidance for planting, maintaining, and removing trees from public spaces. (This was done on January 23, 2012)
- A community forestry program with an annual budget of at least $2 per capita. This standard is met, not only from budgetary monies from city, as well as grants, etc., but also work done with public trees within the city service department and parks department.
- An annual Arbor Day observance and proclamation.