Milwaukee, WI Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)

1. INTERFERENCE WITH TRAFFIC

OR STREET LIGHTS. Branches of trees,

shrubs, flowers or other vegetation shall not be

permitted

to overhang streets, sidewalks and alleys at such

a height as to interfere with vehicle or pedestrian

traffic, or with the proper radiation of light from

the Milwaukee municipal street lighting system. It

shall be the duty of property owners to trim trees,

shrubs, flowers or other vegetation to conform

with this section upon due notice from the

commissioner of public works.

2. INTERFERENCE WITH TRAFFIC

CONTROL DEVICES. Branches of trees,

shrubs, flowers or other vegetation shall not be

permitted to overhang streets, sidewalks and

alleys at such a height or in such a manner as to

interfere with the visibility of official traffic control

devices. Whenever trees or shrubs or the

branches of trees or shrubs or other obstructions

are found to block or interfere with the visibility of

an official traffic control device, the provisions of

s. 116-56 shall not apply. The commissioner of

public works may take immediate action after he

has received notification of such interference, to

remove, trim or cause to have removed or

trimmed the branches of such tree or shrub,

flowers or other vegetation or to remove or to

cause to have removed other obstructions

irrespective of the ownership of the tree, shrub,

flowers, other vegetation or other obstruction.