Green Bay, WI Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)

Section 24-84 defines "unmanaged vegetation growth" as grass, turf grass, hay, weeds or brush over eight inches from lack of active mowing, and requires every landowner, occupant or controller of land to mow, cut or otherwise control it under § 24-84(e)(1). Exemptions in the same definition cover gardens, agricultural land, vegetation within 35 feet of a shoreland's ordinary high-water mark, environmentally sensitive areas like steep slopes and wetlands, registered planned natural landscaping, and no-mow lawn blends. Noxious weeds are separately defined by reference to Wis.

0407(1)(b); the City Clerk must publish notice by May 15 each year that owners must destroy them, and § 24-84(d)(2) requires destruction before the plants reach bloom or flower stage. If a property owner neglects either duty, the Weed Commissioner does the work and the cost is charged and assessed under Wis. 0627(2) (unmanaged growth). Owners who want a natural yard instead of turf can register a "planned natural landscaping area" with the Department of Public Works under § 24-84(g): a scaled site plan, edging description and planting plan are required, plantings need a defined border, invasive species on the DNR's Regulated list are barred, and the area must sit at least three feet from front, side and rear lot lines (zero feet where there's no sidewalk or where a permitted fence runs the line) and stay clear of intersection visibility triangles.