Landscaping Rules in Waukesha County, WI (2026)

3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Waukesha County, Wisconsin.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Waukesha County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Tree Trimming

On ordinary residential lots there is no county tree-trimming permit. But within 35 feet of a lake or stream's ordinary high-water mark (OHWM), removal or destruction of buffer vegetation is prohibited except routine maintenance under the county Shoreland Protection Ordinance and NR 115.

Tree Trimming Rules in Waukesha County, WI

Some Restrictions

Wis. Admin. Code NR 115.05(1)(c)2.

Removal or destruction of vegetation in the vegetative buffer zone shall be prohibited except for routine maintenance of vegetation, which means normally accepted horticultural practices that do not result in the loss of any layer of existing vegetation and do not require earth disturbance.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Waukesha County issues a Vegetation Removal permit for cutting trees within the Shoreland/Floodland jurisdiction, Environmental Corridors and Isolated Natural Resource Areas, and on preservation-restricted or EC-zoned land. Ordinary lots away from water and corridors need no county permit.

Tree Removal Permits in Waukesha County, WI

Some Restrictions

Waukesha County Shoreland Protection Ordinance (Vegetation Removal)

A Vegetation Removal permit is necessary for certain tree cutting and/or vegetative removal activities in the Shoreland and Floodland Jurisdictional areas (generally within 1,000 feet of a lake or 300 feet of a stream), within Environmental Corridors, on lands with preservation restrictions, and on properties zoned EC Environmental Corridor District.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Weed Ordinances

Wisconsin law (Wis. Stat. 66.0407) makes destroying noxious weeds MANDATORY. Every landowner must destroy Canada thistle, leafy spurge, field bindweed and any locally-declared noxious weed. Weed commissioners enforce it, and municipalities must publish an annual notice by May 15.

Noxious Weed Rules in Waukesha County, WI

Some Restrictions

Wis. Stat. 66.0407(1)(b), (3)

A person owning, occupying or controlling land shall destroy all noxious weeds on the land. ... 'Noxious weeds' means Canada thistle, leafy spurge, field bindweed ... and any other weed the governing body of any municipality or the county board of any county by ordinance or resolution declares to be noxious within its respective boundaries.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Landscaping Rules by City in Waukesha County

1 cities in Waukesha County have their own landscaping rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

WaukeshaPop. 71,158

5 verified rules • Composting, Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

All Waukesha County ordinances

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