Wisconsin Noxious Weed Destruction Statute

Under Wis. Stat. 66.0407, all landowners must destroy noxious weeds growing on their property each year. The statute defines noxious weeds as Canada thistle, leafy spurge, field bindweed (creeping jenny), weeds designated by the Department of Natural Resources, and any others a municipality or county declares noxious by ordinance. Town boards designate weed commissioners who may enter property to destroy weeds when owners fail to comply. Costs of destruction are charged back to the landowner as a special tax. Highway patrolmen handle weeds in highway rights-of-way. The duty applies uniformly to all Wisconsin property regardless of municipality.

Failure to destroy noxious weeds allows the weed commissioner to enter property, destroy them, and charge costs (typically $50-$300+) to the owner as a property tax assessment.