Sun Prairie, WI Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)
Key Facts
- Clearance over street/alley
- 14 feet minimum
- Clearance over sidewalk
- 10 feet minimum
- Terrace trimming cost
- Free, performed by the city
- Enforcing official
- City forester / public works director
- Waiver available for
- Newly planted trees, case by case
Summary
Trees on Sun Prairie terraces, boulevards and private lots near a public right-of-way must be trimmed to keep branches at least 14 feet above the street or alley and 10 feet above any sidewalk. The city forester enforces the standard and can waive it for newly planted trees that don't block traffic or streetlights.
B.Clearance for Vehicular Movement. Trees and shrubs standing in or upon any boulevard, public areas, or upon any private premises adjacent to any public right-of-way or public areas shall be kept trimmed so that the lowest branches projecting over the public street or alley provide a clearance of not less than fourteen (14) feet. ... C.Clearance for Pedestrian Movement. Clearance from sidewalk to lower branches shall not be less than ten (10) feet. All trees standing upon private property in the city, the branches of which extend over the line of the street, shall be trimmed so that no branch shall grow or hang over the line of the sidewalk lower than ten (10) feet above the level of the sidewalk.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 71).
Full Breakdown
090 of the Sun Prairie Code of Ordinances splits tree clearance into two standards. Under subsection B, trees and shrubs standing in or upon any boulevard, public area, or private premises adjacent to a public right-of-way must be kept trimmed so the lowest branches projecting over the public street or alley provide a clearance of not less than 14 feet. The city forester, with the public works director's approval, can waive that clearance for newly planted trees that do not interfere with travel, block a streetlight, or endanger public safety.
Subsection C sets a lower bar for pedestrians: branches over a sidewalk may hang no lower than 10 feet, and any private tree whose limbs extend over the street line must be trimmed to that height. 090(D)). 090(A)), but private trees overhanging the sidewalk line are the owner's responsibility. 100 treats it as a separate hazard: the director of parks, recreation and forestry can order the owner to remove the obstruction within 10 days, or the city removes it and bills the property as a special tax.
Violations & Fines
Ignoring a written trimming or removal order under § 12.40.100 is a violation of that section on its own, subject to the forfeiture set out in § 1.24.010. Interfering with the city forester or an authorized representative while carrying out clearance work is separately prohibited under § 12.40.040, and any resulting cost of clearance the city performs itself is charged back to the property as a special assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who trims terrace trees in Sun Prairie?
How high must my tree be trimmed over the sidewalk?
Can the city waive the 14-foot street clearance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sun Prairie
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Tree Trimming in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Dane County handle tree trimming.