Landscaping Rules in Fitchburg, WI (2026)
6 verified landscaping rules for Fitchburg, Wisconsin, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Fitchburg, Wisconsin requires trees and shrubs that stand in or overhang a public way to be kept trimmed for safe overhead clearance under City Code Section 54-106(d). The city forester can waive the clearance requirement for newly planted trees found not to interfere with safe travel or public safety.
Fitchburg WI Street Tree Clearance Rule
Some RestrictionsFitchburg City Code § 54-106(d)
(d)Trimming. Trees and shrubs standing and/or overhanging any public way shall be kept trimmed so that the lowest branches provide a safe overhead clearance. The city forester may waive this requirement for newly planted trees upon determining that any such tree or shrub will not interfere with safe public travel, or endanger public safety.
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Fitchburg, Wisconsin requires a written permit from the city forester before anyone plants, removes, braces, trims, prunes or cuts a tree or shrub in a public way or public area. City Code Section 54-105 covers routine city work only when done by employees within their duties, and it binds every resident, contractor and utility crew otherwise.
Fitchburg WI Public Tree Removal Permit
Some RestrictionsFitchburg City Code § 54-105(a)
(a)Permit required. No person, other agents or employees of the city acting within the scope of their employment, shall plant, remove, brace, trim, prune, cut above or below the ground, disturb or alter any tree or shrub in any public way or public area or cause such acts to be done by others, without first obtaining a written permit from the city forester as hereinafter provided. However, no p...
Weed Ordinances
Fitchburg, Wisconsin caps plant growth on improved lots in the urban service area at eight inches and requires noxious weeds to be cut. City Code Sec. 37-69 exempts cultivated gardens, prairie grasses and approved native landscapes from the height limit.
Maximum Weed and Grass Height in Fitchburg, WI
Some RestrictionsFitchburg City Code § 37-69
All improved lots subject to this article located in the urban service area shall be maintained free from plant growth in excess of eight inches. All noxious weeds shall be cut. Plant growth shall be defined as all grasses, annual plant and vegetation other than trees and shrubs; provided, however, that this shall not include cultivated flower or vegetable gardens, prairie grasses, or native la...
Water Restrictions
Fitchburg runs a three-stage water shortage response, from a voluntary watch to a mayor-ordered mandatory water warning that can bar new sodded or seeded lawns, up to a full water emergency restricting any water use. Violating a mandatory order carries a $20.00 to $100.00 forfeiture per occurrence under Chapter 40 of the Fitchburg City Code, Dane County.
Mandatory Watering Restrictions in Fitchburg, WI
Significant RestrictionsFitchburg City Code §§ 40-565(a), 40-567
(a)Declaration of a water warning. The mayor, upon the recommendation of the director of public works, may impose a water warning under the criteria set forth below. Such a water warning shall continue until it is determined that it is no longer necessary in order to maintain a sustainable water system. Under a water warning the mayor is authorized to implement mandatory lawn watering restricti...
Native Plants
Fitchburg, Wisconsin lets landowners apply for a land management plan to grow a native landscape or natural lawn over the normal eight-inch grass cap. City Code Sec. 37-71 through Sec. 37-73 sets what the plan must contain, including required trim strips near sidewalks and neighbors.
Native Landscape Permit Rules in Fitchburg, WI
Light RestrictionsFitchburg City Code §§ 37-71, 37-73(b)
Any owner or operator of land in the city may apply for approval of a land management plan for a native landscape, one where the grasses exceed eight inches in height, with the building inspector. ... The management plan must include provisions for cutting at a length not greater than eight inches the terrace area, that portion between sidewalk and the street or a strip not less than four feet ...
Composting
Fitchburg, Wisconsin bans landfilling yard waste. Under Chapter 41 of the city code, yard waste from homes must be composted or land applied through a public or private recycling center, and residents in this Dane County city are encouraged, but not required, to compost yard waste on their own property instead.
Fitchburg, WI Yard Waste Composting Rules
Some RestrictionsFitchburg City Code § 41-85(5)
(5)Yard waste shall be composted or land applied through local public or private recycling centers. Residents are encouraged to compost yard waste on site.
Looking for Dane County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Fitchburg city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Dane County →