The City of Madison trims tree limbs that extend over city streets on an as-needed basis. Property owners are responsible for trimming shrubs and tree limbs that block sidewalks. The code sets no permit or approval for trimming your own private trees.
Per the city's official FAQ, Madison's Public Works Streets Division trims limbs overhanging city streets and removes dead or hazardous trees on city property. Residents must keep their own shrubs and limbs from blocking sidewalks. For trees on development sites, the Zoning Ordinance (Sec. 4-13-1) requires areas of natural vegetation, especially trees and shrubs, to be preserved along property lines and drainage ways and shown on the landscape plan, though noxious, nuisance, or unhealthy vegetation may be removed. There is no ordinance limiting how a homeowner trims a healthy tree on their own lot.
No specific trimming penalty; overgrown vegetation obstructing a sidewalk or right-of-way is a property-maintenance nuisance under Sec. 22-97 subject to abatement and the general penalty (up to $500).
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