Native plantings are encouraged across Dane County. Madison (MGO Β§23.29) explicitly permits natural lawns with registered plans. Dane County Land and Water Resources offers cost-share for native buffers. Wis. Stat. Β§66.0407 restricts local weed ordinances targeting intentional native plantings.
Madison General Ordinance Β§23.29 (Natural Lawn) lets homeowners maintain a registered natural or native lawn that is exempt from the standard 8-inch grass-height limit in MGO Β§23.29(1). Property owners file a simple registration with Building Inspection describing the planted area; the rule expressly protects prairie plantings, rain gardens, and pollinator habitat. Fitchburg (Β§26-1) and Middleton allow similar managed natural areas. Wisconsin Stat. Β§66.0407 empowers municipalities to regulate noxious weeds on the state list (Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 161) but cannot be applied to bar intentionally cultivated native species. Dane County Land and Water Resources Department administers cost-share and tech assistance under Dane County Code Ch. 14 for native buffer strips, particularly within the Yahara watershed for phosphorus reduction. HOAs may still enforce covenants, but Wis. Stat. Β§236.293 limits restrictions on solar-related and certain water-conservation landscaping. Invasive species on the Wis. Admin. Code NR 40 list (garlic mustard, buckthorn, Japanese knotweed) must be controlled regardless of whether the property is managed for natives.
Madison unregistered tall-grass natural lawns: MGO Β§23.29 forfeiture $114 to $292, plus city abatement costs. NR 40 invasive species: DNR enforcement up to $5,000 per violation. HOA fines contesting registered natural lawns are vulnerable under Wis. Stat. Β§66.0407 protections.
Dane County, WI
Dane County municipalities regulate leaf blowers under local noise ordinances. Wisconsin has no statewide gas blower ban. Madison General Ordinance 24.04 imp...
Dane County, WI
Madison enforces a citywide Alternate Side Parking rule (MGO Β§12.76) from March 15 to March 14 annually between 1:00 AM and 7:00 AM. Fitchburg, Middleton, Ve...
Dane County, WI
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Dane County, WI
Dane County municipalities allow wood (cedar, treated pine), vinyl, wrought iron, chain-link, and composite fencing. Madison General Ordinance Β§28 zoning spe...
Dane County, WI
Wisconsin UDC SPS 390 and the state-adopted ISPSC require all residential pools and spas to be surrounded by a minimum 48-inch barrier with self-closing, sel...
Dane County, WI
Smoke detector requirements in unincorporated Dane County are set by Wisconsin state law, not the county. Wis. Stat. Β§101.645 requires functional smoke detec...
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