Landscaping Rules in Janesville, WI (2026)
5 verified landscaping rules for Janesville, Wisconsin, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Every property owner in the City of Janesville whose tree or shrub stands within or overhangs a public street must keep it trimmed under Code § 34-197: lower limbs at least seven feet above any sidewalk and 15 feet above the street. Hazardous limbs must also come down under § 34-198, enforced by the Operations Director.
Janesville Street Tree Trimming Requirements
Some RestrictionsJanesville Code of General Ordinances §§ 34-197, 34-202
(a)It shall be the duty of every owner of any tree standing within and/or abutting the limits of any street, or so located that any of its limbs extend over any street or sidewalk, to keep the same so trimmed that its lower limbs shall be at least seven feet above the sidewalk and 15 feet above the surface of the street over which it may extend. ... Any person who violates any of the provisions...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
In the City of Janesville, owners must remove any ash, elm, or other tree that the City Forester finds diseased, infested, or damaged and declares a public nuisance under Sec. 22-134. The Forester can enter property without consent to inspect, test, and order removal, with costs billed to the owner as a lien.
Janesville Diseased Tree Removal Duty
Heavy RestrictionsJanesville Code of General Ordinances § 22-134(b)-(c); § 22-149(a)
(b)It shall be unlawful for any owner of any lot or parcel of land in the City to possess, permit, or maintain on any such lot or parcel of land any ash, elm, or other species of tree, or parts thereof, which is a public nuisance.(c)It shall be the duty of every real property owner to promptly remove and properly dispose of any such trees, and parts thereof, constituting a public nuisance and/o...
Weed Ordinances
In the City of Janesville, no owner, occupant, renter, or lessee may let noxious weeds grow on property they own or control, and Sec. 22-204(b) sets a hard 12-inch cap: any weed or grass taller than 12 inches is a noxious weed unless it is a crop awaiting harvest or landscaping planted under the City's natural landscaping rules.
Janesville 12-Inch Weed and Grass Limit
Some RestrictionsJanesville Code of General Ordinances § 22-204(a)-(b)
(a)No person shall permit the growth of noxious weeds on any property in the City which is owned, occupied, rented, leased or controlled by that person. In addition to the state statute definition for noxious weeds (Wis. Stats. § 66.0407) and Invasive Species (Wis. Stats. § 23.22) noxious weeds shall include, but is not limited to, the following list of species: ... (b)In addition, all other we...
Native Plants
In the City of Janesville, Sec. 22-207 allows homeowners to replace mowed turf with a managed natural landscape of native plants and rain gardens, as long as the area stays weed-free, has a definable edge, and any rain garden sits at least ten feet from a building foundation and five feet from property lines.
Janesville Allows Managed Native Landscaping
Some RestrictionsJanesville Code of General Ordinances § 22-207(a),(b)(2)-(3)
(a)Purpose. ... It shall be lawful to grow native and beneficial plants, including, but not limited to, ferns, grasses, forbs, aquatic plants, trees and shrubs in a landscape when these plants were not obtained in violation of local, state, or federal laws. ... (2)Rain gardens. Rain gardens must be located ten feet or more from any building foundation to ensure infiltrating water does not seep ...
Composting
In the City of Janesville, Sec. 22-208 caps residential compost bins at 125 cubic feet and five feet in height, requires them in a rear yard only, at least five feet from a property line or 20 feet from a neighbor's principal structure, and bans meat, dairy, fish, and pet waste from the pile.
Janesville Backyard Compost Bin Standards
Some RestrictionsJanesville Code of General Ordinances § 22-208(b)
(b)Composting requirements. The generator of compostable materials shall be responsible for maintaining compost piles and bins under his or her control as follows:(1)No compost bin shall exceed 125 cubic feet in volume and five feet in height.(2)All compost piles and bins shall be so maintained as to prevent the attraction or harborage of rodents and pests.(3)All compost piles and bins shall be...
Looking for Rock County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Janesville city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Rock County →