Rock County, WI Fire Regulations: Brush Clearance (2026)
Key Facts
- Weed law
- Wis. Stat. 66.0407
- Landowner duty
- Destroy all noxious weeds
- Listed weeds
- Canada thistle, leafy spurge, bindweed
- Wildfire clearance
- No state defensible-space mandate
- Enforcer
- Town weed commissioner
Summary
Wisconsin has no defensible-space wildfire law, but Wis. Stat. 66.0407 requires every landowner to destroy noxious weeds (Canada thistle, leafy spurge, field bindweed and locally designated weeds) on their land. Removal by open burning must still follow DNR NR 429 rules.
A person owning, occupying or controlling land shall destroy all noxious weeds on the land. The person having immediate charge of any public lands shall destroy all noxious weeds on the lands.
Full Breakdown
Unlike western states, Wisconsin does not mandate wildfire brush-clearance zones. The controlling vegetation rule is Wis. Stat. 66.0407, which makes each person owning, occupying or controlling land destroy all noxious weeds on it. Noxious weeds include Canada thistle, leafy spurge, field bindweed, any weed the DNR designates by rule, and any weed a municipality or county board declares noxious. Towns appoint weed commissioners who may order abatement. Rock County's Land Conservation Division administers related erosion-control and land-management ordinances. If you clear brush by burning, you must still obtain any required burn permit and follow DNR open-burning limits.
Violations & Fines
Weed commissioners may destroy noxious weeds not abated by the owner and assess the cost to the property (often as a tax lien). Fines are set by local weed ordinances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I required to clear brush for wildfire safety?
What happens if I ignore a weed notice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rock County
Compare Rock County to another location·View the Wisconsin fire regulations overview
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