Beloit, WI Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in Beloit, 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
- Governing section
- § 34.21(2)(a)5, tree preservation
- Applies to
- Trees credited on an approved site/landscape plan
- Approval needed
- Community Development Director sign-off before removal
- Replacement stock
- Minimum 3-inch diameter tree required
- Illegal-removal stock
- 3-inch diameter, 14-foot-tall replacement required
- Forfeiture range
- $500 to $3,500, scaled by diameter removed
Summary
Beloit's landscaping ordinance protects mature trees credited on an approved site plan: under Beloit Code of Ordinances § 34.21(2)(a)5, no one may damage or remove a preserved tree without the Community Development Director's approval, and removing one without a tree removal permit triggers replacement with larger 3-inch, 14-foot stock plus a forfeiture scaled to the tree's diameter.
5.In new developments, existing mature trees may not be damaged or removed until a site plan is submitted to and approved by the Community Development Director or his designee. ... b.Removal of Trees Designated for Preservation. In the event a tree is removed, damaged or destroyed by an act of man without receiving approval from the Community Development Director or his designee, it shall be replaced with a new tree which shall meet the following requirements:i.The minimum diameter of the trunk of a replacement tree shall be 3" when measured at 12" above grade. ... c.Tree Replacement/Penalties. Any person who removes a tree in violation of this section and fails to replace the tree as required by this section shall, upon conviction of the violation, be subject to a forfeiture as provided below: ... The trunks of shade trees required for replacement of trees removed without a tree removal permit shall be 3" in diameter when measured 6" above grade, and 14' in height or greater when planted.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Update 01 - 05-2026).
Full Breakdown
21, which apply to site plans for parking lots of 5 or more spaces, outdoor sales and storage lots, loading docks, equipment yards and paved areas over 2,500 square feet, plus new developments generally. When a project's landscape plan credits an existing mature tree, defined as one with a trunk 6 inches or more in diameter at 4 feet above grade, toward the required shade-tree count, that tree may not be damaged or removed once the site plan is submitted, unless the Community Development Director or a designee approves the removal.
A tree preservation and protection plan must show which trees will be removed and which preserved, with temporary fencing installed around the critical root zone before any grading or removal work begins; digging, trenching, filling or storing materials inside that root zone is barred. If a protected tree is removed, damaged or destroyed without approval, the responsible person must replace it with a tree at least 3 inches in trunk diameter, measured 12 inches above grade, under an approved landscaping plan. 21(7)(a)1 sets the physical bar even higher for replacement stock tied to a tree removed without a tree removal permit: 3 inches in diameter at 6 inches above grade and at least 14 feet tall when planted, well above the normal 2-inch, 1-foot minimum for an ordinary new shade tree.
Beloit has no general permit requirement for a homeowner cutting down an ordinary backyard tree; the protection applies specifically to trees counted on an approved development landscape or site plan.
Violations & Fines
Removing, damaging or destroying a protected tree without approval and failing to replace it as required triggers a forfeiture under § 34.21(2)(a)5.c, scaled to the total diameter removed: $500 for 6 to 12 inches, rising through $750, $1,000, $1,500, $2,000 and $2,500 brackets up to $3,000 for 42 to 48 inches and $3,500 for anything larger, on top of the mandatory replacement planting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in my Beloit backyard?
What counts as a protected tree in Beloit?
What happens if a protected tree is cut down without approval?
Are replacement trees held to a higher standard than new plantings?
Who approves tree removal on a development site in Beloit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Beloit
Compare Beloit to another location·View the Wisconsin landscaping rules overview
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Tree Removal & Heritage Trees in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Rock County handle tree removal & heritage trees.