Landscaping Rules in Waukesha, WI (2026)
5 verified landscaping rules for Waukesha, Wisconsin, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Waukesha requires trees over a public street to be trimmed to a 13.5-foot clearance and trees over a sidewalk to an 8-foot clearance, under Municipal Code Sec. 3.06. The City Forester enforces the standard, can waive it for newly planted trees, and can order hazardous branches abated as a nuisance.
Street Tree Clearance Rules in Waukesha
Some RestrictionsWaukesha Municipal Code § 3.06
Trees and shrubs standing in or upon any public right-of-way, public areas or upon any private premises adjacent to any public right-of-way or public areas shall be kept trimmed so that the lowest branches projecting over the public street or alley provide a clearance of not less than 13 1/2'. The City Forester may waive the provisions of this section for newly planted trees if he determines th...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Waukesha bans clear cutting of woodland outright in its RS-1, RS-2, and RS-3 single-family districts under Municipal Code Sec. 22.19. Everywhere else in the City, clear cutting a woodland or stripping topsoil from a site requires a conditional use permit from the Plan Commission.
Waukesha Tree Clear-Cutting Restrictions
Significant RestrictionsWaukesha Municipal Code Sec. 22.19
No clear cutting of woodland areas shall be permitted in RS-1, RS-2, and RS-3 residential districts. Clear cutting in other districts, or removal of topsoil from properties, shall be permitted by conditional use permit only. Deciduous shade trees five (5) inches or larger in caliper and coniferous trees ten (10) feet or greater in height shall be preserved unless it is demonstrated to the satis...
Weed Ordinances
Waukesha caps grass and weeds at 8 inches on any lawn area under Municipal Code § 17.04(4)(c). Owners who prefer native plantings can register a Natural Lawn with the City's Weed Commissioner to exceed that height, and the Housing Inspector can order violations abated within 7 days.
Grass and Weed Height Limit in Waukesha
Some RestrictionsWaukesha Municipal Code § 17.04(4)(c)-(e)
HEIGHT RESTRICTION. Grass or weeds shall not exceed the height of 8” on any lawn area. NATURAL LAWNS. A natural lawn is any land managed to preserve or restore native Wisconsin grasses and forbs, native trees, shrubs, wildflowers and aquatic plants. Any owner or operator of a lot or parcel maintaining or desiring to maintain a natural lawn may register for a natural lawn if grasses and forbes e...
Water Restrictions
From May 1 through October 1, Waukesha ties lawn sprinkling to street address under Municipal Code §13.11: odd-numbered properties may water only Tuesdays and Saturdays, even-numbered properties only Thursdays and Sundays, and only before 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m. Hand watering and new landscaping are exempt.
Odd-Even Sprinkling Rules in Waukesha
Some RestrictionsWaukesha Municipal Code § 13.11
SPRINKLING RESTRICTED. At all times between the first day of May and the first day of October, the following sprinkling restrictions shall be in effect. Properties having odd-numbered street addresses are prohibited from sprinkling lawns and gardens except on Tuesdays and Saturdays, at which time sprinkling is permitted at any time before 9:00 a.m. and after 5:00 p.m. Properties having even-num...
Composting
Waukesha caps backyard compost bins at 125 cubic feet and 5 feet tall, and requires them to sit in the rear yard at least 3 feet from a property line or building. Piles that attract rodents become a nuisance case, and violators face a $10 to $200 forfeiture for every day the violation continues.
Composting Rules in Waukesha
Some RestrictionsWaukesha Municipal Code § 13.10
All compost piles other than compost piles consisting solely of yard waste, excluding fruit, shall be enclosed in a free standing compost bin. Each compost bin shall be no larger in volume than one hundred twenty-five (125) cubic feet, and shall be no taller than five (5) feet. All compost piles and bins shall be so maintained as to prevent the attraction or harborage of rodents and pests and t...
Looking for Waukesha County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Waukesha city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Waukesha County →