Landscaping Rules in Wausau, WI (2026)
3 verified landscaping rules for Wausau, Wisconsin, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Wausau requires branches overhanging a public street to be trimmed to a 14-foot clearance and branches over a public sidewalk to a 10-foot clearance, and the rule applies to trees on public or private property alike. Municipal Code § 12.56.150(b) also lets the City Forester waive the rule for newly planted trees that pose no hazard.
Tree Trimming Clearance Rules, Wausau
Some RestrictionsWausau Municipal Code § 12.56.150(b)
(b)Trimming:(1)All trees and shrubs, on public or private property, which have branches overhanging a public street, shall have said branches trimmed to a clearance height of 14 feet; all trees and shrubs, on public or private property, which have branches overhanging a public sidewalk, shall have said branches trimmed to a clearance height of ten feet. The City forester may waive the provision...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
In Wausau, no one may remove, cut down, or otherwise disturb a tree or shrub growing in a public area, street terrace, park, or other City land without a written permit from the City Forester. Illegal removal in the public way triggers a 1:1 caliper-inch replacement or a City-set per-tree fee under Municipal Code §§ 12.56.040 and 12.56.080.
Tree Removal Permit Rules, Wausau WI
Some RestrictionsWausau Municipal Code §§ 12.56.040, 12.56.080
No person shall in any public area of the City: break, injure, mutilate, kill, or destroy any tree or shrub; permit any animal under his control to do so ... Illegal removal of trees or shrubs within the public way shall be replaced at a 1:1 caliper inch or a per tree fee will be assessed as determined by the City Forester. ... No person shall plant trees or shrubs in any public area unless a w...
Weed Ordinances
Wausau caps grass, weeds and brush at one foot on every property in the City. Section 6.48.010 requires owners and occupants to mow anything taller, folds in the state noxious-weed statute, Wis. Stat. Section 66.0407, by reference, and exempts golf courses and public parkland located wholly within the City.
Weed and Grass Height Limit in Wausau
Some RestrictionsWausau Municipal Code Sec. 6.48.010
No person owning property or occupant of property within the City shall permit to grow or pollinate upon the premises any weeds, grasses or brush which cause or produce hay fever in human beings, exhale unpleasant or noxious odors or may conceal filthy deposits or provide a place for the accumulation of trash or litter. In order to prevent such growth and pollination, it shall be the duty of ev...
Looking for Marathon County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Wausau city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Marathon County →