Tree permits · Wisconsin
Oak trees: under Madison General Ordinance 23.40(7), a permit is required to work on any oak in the city between April 1 and October 15, including oaks on private property. Street trees are protected during construction: from January 1, 2026 the tree protection zone is one foot per inch of trunk diameter (at least 5 feet).
The city's Urban Forestry section plants, prunes and cares for the trees along city streets. If a street tree cannot be saved during development, the party removing it pays the tree's value into a tree replacement fund. The city page calls removal a last resort.
The oak permit page says permits in the April 1 to October 15 window are issued on an emergency basis; it does not explain more. To report a neighbor's private tree in poor condition, contact Building Inspection.
Contact the Urban Forestry office (forestry@cityofmadison.com, 608-266-4816) to start an oak work permit. The permit is free, and you also need a bid for a consultation from a private arborist.
For tree protection rules on approved plans, fines apply, violators pay the full cost to remove and replace the tree, and from January 1, 2026 related street permits can be suspended or revoked.
HOA rules can be stricter; check yours.
A city permit does not override your HOA. Check your covenants before work starts.
Last checked 26 October 2026. Rules change; check the official source before work starts. Short explanation, not legal advice. Spotted a change? See our corrections page.
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For some trees. Madison requires a permit for certain trees or certain sites, not every tree. Madison says trees on private property are the owner's responsibility. But any work on an oak tree between April 1 and October 15 needs a free city permit, and this includes oaks on private property. Street trees are cared for by the city's Urban Forestry section. Our confidence: high. Short explanation, not legal advice.
Oak trees: under Madison General Ordinance 23.40(7), a permit is required to work on any oak in the city between April 1 and October 15, including oaks on private property. Street trees are protected during construction: from January 1, 2026 the tree protection zone is one foot per inch of trunk diameter (at least 5 feet).
The city's Urban Forestry section plants, prunes and cares for the trees along city streets. If a street tree cannot be saved during development, the party removing it pays the tree's value into a tree replacement fund. The city page calls removal a last resort.
The oak permit page says permits in the April 1 to October 15 window are issued on an emergency basis; it does not explain more. To report a neighbor's private tree in poor condition, contact Building Inspection.
Contact the Urban Forestry office (forestry@cityofmadison.com, 608-266-4816) to start an oak work permit. The permit is free, and you also need a bid for a consultation from a private arborist.
For tree protection rules on approved plans, fines apply, violators pay the full cost to remove and replace the tree, and from January 1, 2026 related street permits can be suspended or revoked.
HOA rules can be stricter; check yours. Read your HOA covenants or ask the board before work starts.
Your address, the tree species if you know it, the trunk width measured about 4.5 feet above the ground, photos of the whole tree, and whether it is near the street, a sidewalk or a power line. Ask if a permit is needed and how long it takes.
Some do and some do not. Ask before you sign, and get it in writing who applies and who pays the fee. In many places the property owner is the one responsible for following the rules.
No. It is a short, plain summary of public rules with links to the official sources. For a firm answer on your property, ask the city or a local attorney.
Short explanation, not legal advice. Last checked 26 October 2026.