Brown County, WI Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in Brown County, WI, sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances, list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
Key Facts
- Full buffer credit
- 3 points, trees plus shrub layer
- Grass-only buffer credit
- 2 points, no tree/shrub layer
- Side-lot buffer bonus
- Up to 2 additional points
- Discretionary bonus
- Up to 3 more, Administrator's approval
- Triggered by
- Permits under §§ 22.23, 22.24, 22.47
Summary
When a Brown County shoreland permit requires mitigation, restoring the shoreline buffer's tree and shrub layer earns the full three points; a grass-only buffer without trees earns only two.
(1) Mitigation Options -Maintenance of Existing or Establishment of Buffers.
(a) Primary Active Buffer Zone - Shore buffer zone within 35 feet of the ordinary high-water mark, including trees, shrubbery, ground cover and other natural vegetation, and subject to no mowing is permitted other than the allowable viewing corridor. 3 points.
(b) Passive Buffer Zone - Shoreland vegetation buffer area within 35 feet of the ordinary high- water mark, including un-mowed grass or other ground cover vegetation, but without the tree and shrub layers required to meet the three-point mitigation standard. two points.
(c) Side Lot Buffer Zone - A 10-foot-wide side lot buffer zone including trees, shrubbery, ground cover and other natural vegetation extending along a side lot line for a depth of at least 75 feet from the ordinary high-water mark. one point. The side lot buffer area is subject to the condition of no mowing is permitted. Points for side lot line buffers may be additive, for a maximum of two points, if buffer areas exist and are maintained along both side lot lines.
(2) Mitigation Alternative Option.
(a) At the discretion of the Brown County Zoning Administrator, up to three additional mitigation points may be approved for restoration or protection activities that are likely to provide
Full Breakdown
Chapter 22 ties shoreland development permits that trigger mitigation to a point system meant to offset lost water quality, habitat and scenic value. A Primary Active Buffer Zone, an unmowed 35-foot shore buffer with trees, shrubs, ground cover and other natural vegetation, minus the allowed viewing corridor, earns 3 points, the maximum under the base options. A Passive Buffer Zone that keeps unmowed grass or groundcover but skips the tree and shrub layers earns only 2. A 10-foot side-lot buffer with trees and shrubs adds up to 2 more points, and the Zoning Administrator can approve alternative practices for up to 3 additional points.
Violations & Fines
Falling short of the required mitigation points on a permit that mandates it blocks approval; proceeding with the removal or construction without meeting it is a Chapter 30 forfeiture, with each day of the violation a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to replant trees if my shoreland permit requires mitigation?
Can existing vegetation count toward the mitigation points?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Brown County
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