Dane County, WI Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)

Madison General Ordinance §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 §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 (§26-1) and Middleton allow similar managed natural areas. Wisconsin Stat. §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. §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.