Landscaping Rules in Dane County, WI (2026)
1 county-level rule, plus city-specific rules for 4 cities in Dane County, Wisconsin.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
In Dane County's unincorporated shoreland areas, within 300 feet of a lake, river, or stream's ordinary high-water mark, removing trees and shrubs from the vegetative buffer zone is prohibited unless it falls under a narrow no-permit exception or is authorized by a shoreland zoning permit, and even permitted water-access clearing is capped by lot width.
Dane County Shoreland Tree Removal Permit Rule
Significant RestrictionsDane County Code of Ordinances, ch. 11.04(2), (4)(a)
(2) Removal of vegetation. Unless excepted in sections (3), (4) or (5) below, removal of vegetation is prohibited within the vegetative buffer zone. ... (4) Exceptions with shoreland zoning permit. Removal of vegetation within the vegetative buffer zone is permitted, subject to the approval of a shoreland zoning permit by the zoning administrator, for the following. (a) Access and viewing corri...
Landscaping Rules by City in Dane County
4 cities in Dane County have their own landscaping rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
5 verified rules • Composting, Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
3 verified rules • Tree Removal & Heritage Trees, Tree Trimming
6 verified rules • Composting, Native Plants
3 verified rules • Tree Removal & Heritage Trees, Tree Trimming
All Dane County ordinances
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Dane County Ordinance Hub →