Landscaping Rules in Madison, WI (2026)
8 verified landscaping rules for Madison, Wisconsin, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Grass Height Limits
Madison limits grass and weeds to 8 inches under MGO 27.05. Owners of natural landscape areas with filed management plans are exempt. Building Inspection issues orders with 5 day compliance windows and abates at owner expense.
Landscaping: Grass Height
Some RestrictionsTree Trimming
Madison Urban Forestry Division regulates all work on public trees under MGO 10.10. No trimming or removal of terrace or park trees is allowed without a permit. Private trees overhanging public ways must be clear to 8 feet sidewalk and 14 feet street.
Landscaping: Tree Trimming
Heavy RestrictionsTree Removal & Heritage Trees
Removal of any public or terrace tree in Madison requires a permit from the City Forester under MGO 10.10. Private tree removal generally does not require a permit but is regulated in landmark tree and shoreland zones.
Landscaping: Tree Removal
Heavy RestrictionsWeed Ordinances
Madison enforces MGO 27.05 against noxious weeds and rank vegetation exceeding 8 inches. The City Weed Commissioner inspects complaints and can order abatement with costs billed to the property tax roll.
Landscaping: Weed Ordinances
Some RestrictionsWis. Stat. §66.0407
66.0407 Noxious weeds. (1) In this section: (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 stag...
Water Restrictions
Madison Water Utility enforces year-round odd-even sprinkling rules under MGO 13.18. Watering is prohibited between noon and 6 PM. Drought advisories can trigger stricter limits or bans.
Landscaping: Water Restrictions
Some RestrictionsRainwater Harvesting
Madison actively encourages rainwater harvesting and offers Rain Barrel rebates through the Water Utility and Engineering Stormwater programs. Residential collection is not regulated at the state level in Wisconsin.
Landscaping: Rainwater Harvesting
Few RestrictionsNative Plants
Madison strongly promotes native plantings through the Natural Lawn program and MGO 28.142 natural landscape exemption. Owners who file a management plan are exempt from the 8 inch grass height rule.
Landscaping: Native Plants
Few RestrictionsArtificial Turf
Madison permits artificial turf on residential lots but treats it as an impervious surface for stormwater and lot coverage calculations under MGO 28 zoning code. Permits may be required in shoreland zones.
Landscaping: Artificial Turf
Some RestrictionsLooking for Dane County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Madison city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Dane County →