Landscaping Rules in Appleton, WI (2026)
5 verified landscaping rules for Appleton, Wisconsin, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Appleton's zoning code sets exact tree-clearance numbers for landscaping near streets and sidewalks. Trees planted in a front setback, vision corner, or within ten feet of a driveway must keep six feet of trunk clear from the ground to the first branch, and every tree must be trimmed to a ten-foot underclearance over any public right-of-way once it reaches maturity.
Appleton Tree Clearance Over Public Streets
Some RestrictionsAppleton Municipal Code § 23-601(f)(2)b, (f)(13)
Any landscaping located within the front setback, in a required vision corner or within ten (10) feet of a private driveway (§23-50(g), Vision corner), shall have the following restrictions: ... b. ... Trees must have a clearance from the ground to the bottom of the first branch of a minimum of six (6) feet. ... (13) At maturity, trees shall be maintained so there is a seven (7) foot underclear...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Appleton requires a written permit from the committee of jurisdiction before anyone cuts, prunes, moves or removes a public tree or shrub in the right-of-way, and anyone who removes one must replace it with a tree of equivalent dollar value under Sec. 21-47.
Appleton Public Tree Removal Permit
Significant RestrictionsAppleton Municipal Code Sec. 21-47(a)
(a) Permit required. No person, except upon order of the committee of jurisdiction shall plant, transplant, move, spray, brace, trim, prune, cut above or below ground, disturb, alter or do surgery on any public tree or shrub within the City or cause such acts to be done by orders without first obtaining a written permit for such work from the committee as provided in this section. This subsecti...
Weed Ordinances
Appleton enforces a 6-inch maximum grass height. Code enforcement proactively patrols during growing season. The city maintains high community appearance standards.
Appleton Grass Height Limits
Some RestrictionsWis. Stat. 66.0407
66.0407(1) (1) In this section: 66.0407(1)(a) (a) "Destroy" means the complete killing of weeds or the killing of weed plants above the surface of the ground by the use of chemicals, cutting, tillage, cropping system, pasturing livestock, or any or all of these in effective combination, at a time and in a manner as will effectually prevent the weed plants from maturing to the bloom or flower st...
Native Plants
Appleton allows homeowners to grow native and naturalized plants, including wildflowers, ferns, grasses, shrubs and trees, in a managed landscape design under City Code Sec. 12-59(b), instead of a mowed lawn. Natural landscape areas must sit at least seven feet back from property lines and driveways unless screened by a roadway, fence or similar barrier, and dense tall-grass stands face a 200-square-foot fire-hazard cap.
Appleton Managed Natural Landscaping Rule
Light RestrictionsAppleton Municipal Code § 12-59(b)(1), (3)
(b) Managed natural landscaping. (1) Native and naturalized plants including, but not necessarily limited to, ferns, wildflowers, grasses, shrubs and trees may be grown in a managed landscape design provided said plants were not obtained, or are not growing, in violation of any local, state or federal laws. ... (3) Natural landscape areas shall be set back a minimum of seven (7) feet from all p...
Composting
Appleton lets residents compost yard waste and food scraps under City Code Sec. 12-37, but bins, pits, trenches and barrels must sit in the rear yard, at least three feet from the side and rear lot lines, and meet strict size and ingredient rules. Violators forfeit $10 to $200 per day the violation continues.
Appleton Residential Composting Standards
Some RestrictionsAppleton Municipal Code § 12-37(a), (e)
(a) Purpose and intent. The purpose of this section is to promote the recycling of yard waste and food scraps through composting, and to establish minimum standards for proper compost maintenance. ... (e) Location. ... (1) Compost bins, pits, trenches, and barrels shall be located in the rear yard only. (2) Compost bins, pits, trenches and barrels shall be at least three (3) feet from the side ...
Looking for Outagamie County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Appleton city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Outagamie County →