Planting and Maintenance of Vegetation.
Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 252-75
in effect252-75. Planting and Maintenance of Vegetation.
1. VEGETATION REQUIRED. In addition to any applicable requirements of ch. 295, within one year of occupancy of any single-, 2- or multi-family dwelling, a land-disturbing addition to such dwelling or an accessory structure related to such dwelling, the premises upon which such dwelling is located shall be covered with seeded or sodded grass, trees, shrubs, gardens or other vegetation. Such vegetation shall not contain Canada thistle, leafy spurge, field bindweed or any other weed which the commissioner of health, his or her designated representative within the health department, or any other city official to whom the commissioner’s functions or duties have been delegated pursuant to a memorandum of understanding determines to be noxious. The vegetation shall thereafter be maintained and shall not be replaced with gravel, pavement or any other non-vegetation material. The area upon which vegetation shall be planted and maintained includes any unpaved portion of the public street between the property line and the curb or edge of the street pavement; however, no vegetation other than grass shall be planted and maintained on public street right-of-way unless approved by the commissioner of public works in accordance with ch. 116. The landscaped areas required by this subsection may be used for storm water treatment purposes.
2. EXCEPTIONS. The provisions of this section shall neither apply to lands that are used for farming activities nor preclude the installation of a driveway, parking space, sidewalk, swimming pool, patio, deck or other accessory use or structure which is otherwise in conformance with this code, provided that no parking space, swimming pool, deck exceeding one foot in height or other accessory use or structure shall be located in a front yard, as regulated by ss. 295-13 and 295-17. Furthermore, this section shall not preclude installation of non-living landscaping materials, including but not limited to landscaping timbers, wood chips, decorative bark or landscaping stones, provided that such materials are installed and maintained in conjunction with vegetation required under sub. 1.
Source: City of Milwaukee Legislative Reference Bureau, Milwaukee City Charter and Code of Ordinances (city.milwaukee.gov master PDFs)URL: https://city.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/ccClerk/Ordinances/Volume-2/CH252.pdf#page=6Fetched: 10/26/2026