Tree Removal Permits in Racine, WI

Verified against Racine city sources · last checked 2026-08-06

Do you need a permit?

No permit required for most private trees

Racine threw out its old tree chapter in November 2024 and replaced it with one that regulates public areas. The permit clause covers "any public tree, plant, or shrub," and the city's own tree permit page says a permit is required "for any activities that impact trees located on the city right-of-way or city-owned/controlled public property." Nothing in the chapter requires a permit to take a tree out of your own yard. What the chapter does do on private land is declare diseased, invasive and failing trees public nuisances the city can abate and charge to your property.

Size threshold

None. Chapter 102 contains no diameter, DBH or caliper trigger anywhere. The only dimensional language is definitional, at Section 102-1: a Tree is "the leaves, twigs, branches, trunks, roots or any other part or whole of a woody perennial plant with a singular trunk, or multiple trunks, that typically develops into a mature size of over several inches in diameter and ten or more feet in height, and is designated by the city forester to be a tree."

What's protected in Racine

Public trees, plants and shrubs - "any tree, plant, or shrub, or portion thereof, located or planted in or upon a public area."
Public area, which is broad: "any public right-of-way, boulevard, park, and other land owned, controlled, or leased by the city."
Public right-of-way, which is the terrace trap - "any real property over which an easement has been granted or reserved to the local, state, or federal government for transportation purposes, and includes that part of every street and alley, the grade of which has been established, between the lot line and the curb and from property line to property line, including tree planting easements."
Any tree the city forester designates an invasive species, on public or private land, under Section 102-22(a)(2).
There is no protected species list, no heritage or landmark tree category, and no size-based protection for private trees anywhere in the chapter.

How to apply in Racine

1
These steps are for a right-of-way or public tree. A tree behind your lot line needs no permit.
2
The city says to submit a Standard Tree Permit Application, either online or on paper at the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services counter in the City Hall Annex.
3
Section 102-11(b)(2) requires the application to give contact information for the applicant and for whoever is doing the work, a description of the work, anticipated start and end dates, and an acknowledgement that you will abide by the chapter and any conditions of approval.
4
For underground work, add a drawing showing the location, overall dimensions and depth, and "all trees, plants, and shrubs to be maintained or impacted by the proposed work or within eight feet of any proposed excavation."
5
Note the timing conflict and use the longer one. Section 102-11(b)(4) says the application must be submitted "not less than two weeks prior to the start date"; the city's tree permit page says to submit it at least 30 days in advance and that the permit is valid for 90 days.
6
Section 102-11(b)(7): notify the city forester within five days of finishing, and an inspection follows.

Fees, penalties, and the ordinance

Penalties: Section 102-24: "(a) Bond amount. Any person charged with violation of this chapter may pay a deposit of $400.00 plus costs in lieu of a court appearance. (b) Forfeiture range. Any person found in violation of this division shall forfeit not more than $1,000.00. (c) Restitution. In addition to any judgment, any person who damages or causes to be damaged any a public tree, plant, or shrub is liable to the city for the cost of such tree, plant, or shrub, along with any removal or replacement costs. (d) Continuous violation. Each day that a violation continues may be considered a separate violation."
Ordinance: Racine Municipal Code chapter 102 - Trees and Vegetation. The current chapter is new: an editor's note records that "Ord. No. 0010-24, pt. 1, adopted November 19, 2024, repealed the former Chapter 102, Sections 102-26 through 102-30, 102-41 through 102-43, 102-56 through 102-64, 102-76 through 102-80, and enacted a new Chapter 102 as set out herein." Every section of the current chapter carries the citation (Ord. No. 0010-24, pt. 2, 11-19-24). The prior chapter derived from Code 1973 and ordinances running from 2000 to 2020. Code current through Ordinance No. 0082-26, adopted March 3, 2026 (Supp. No. 108).

Worth knowing

The chapter reaches private land in one direction only. Section 102-2(c): "The provisions of this chapter apply to all trees, plants, and shrubs located or planted in or upon any public area or that threaten the health, safety, or welfare of the public." Section 102-22(a) then declares a public nuisance any tree "growing on public or private property" that interferes with a public area, carries an infectious disease, is infested, or "by reason of its location or condition endangers the health, safety, or welfare of persons or property."
A nuisance notice gives you at least 14 days, and the bill lands on your tax roll. Section 102-22(b) requires written notice specifying the violation and a deadline "not less than 14 days, unless the city forester determines that immediate action is necessary." Section 102-22(c): if you do not comply the forester abates it and "shall report the expense thereof to the city treasurer, who shall enter it as a charge against the property."
Excavating near a city tree needs the same permit as cutting one. Section 102-11(a) covers anyone who would "excavate within eight feet of a public tree."
Storms suspend the permit entirely. Section 102-11(d)(2): "No permit is required for an abutting property owner, contractor for the abutting property owner, utility, or the city to perform work on any public tree in order to abate storm damage immediately following such damage."
You are responsible for trimming your own private trees at intersections. Section 102-13(a): "Trees, plants, or shrubs planted in or upon any private property that obstruct the view of intersections or traffic signs or signals, shall be kept trimmed by the owner of the property."
Racine does not license tree services. A full read of chapter 22 (Businesses, Professions and Occupations) found 36 license articles and no tree, arborist or landscaping category - the only tree entry in the whole chapter is Article XXXIII, Christmas Tree Lots and Stands. Vetting your contractor is entirely on you.
You have 15 days to appeal any determination of the city forester, to the board of parks, recreation and cultural services commissioners, under Section 102-23.

What we could not confirm

We would rather tell you what we don't know than guess. Call the office below to confirm these before you cut.

— The permit fee. Section 102-11(b)(3) says only that "Permit fees shall be determined by the budget as set forth in the fee schedule and established by the common council," and the city's tree permit page states cost responsibility falls on the permit holder without naming an amount. Call 262-636-9131.
— A timing conflict the city has not reconciled: the ordinance requires two weeks notice and the city website asks for 30 days. Both are published and both are reported above.
— The permit duration. The city website says 90 days; Section 102-11 sets no term and refers only to an expiration date on the permit.
— The contents of the tree manual. Section 102-4 authorizes the board of parks commissioners to adopt "policies and procedures... collectively referred to as the tree manual," which are not published in the code and may contain provisions not visible in the codified text.
— Whether the November 2024 rewrite narrowed or broadened the city's reach onto private property compared with the repealed chapter. The prior text is not published alongside the new one.
— A direct email address for the forestry division. The city publishes a phone number and a counter location only.

Sources

Who to contact in Racine

Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department, City of Racine. Section 102-5(a) makes the director of parks, recreation and cultural services the city forester or designate one, and Section 102-5(b) requires the forester to hold an urban forestry degree, be at minimum an ISA Certified Arborist, and have six years of experience.

262-636-9131 Official page

City Hall Annex, 800 Center Street, Room 127, Racine, WI 53403

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Size threshold

What's protected in Racine

Public trees, plants and shrubs - "any tree, plant, or shrub, or portion thereof, located or planted in or upon a public area."

Public area, which is broad: "any public right-of-way, boulevard, park, and other land owned, controlled, or leased by the city."

Public right-of-way, which is the terrace trap - "any real property over which an easement has been granted or reserved to the local, state, or federal government for transportation purposes, and includes that part of every street and alley, the grade of which has been established, between the lot line and the curb and from property line to property line, including tree planting easements."

Any tree the city forester designates an invasive species, on public or private land, under Section 102-22(a)(2).

There is no protected species list, no heritage or landmark tree category, and no size-based protection for private trees anywhere in the chapter.

How to apply in Racine

1
These steps are for a right-of-way or public tree. A tree behind your lot line needs no permit.
2
The city says to submit a Standard Tree Permit Application, either online or on paper at the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services counter in the City Hall Annex.
3
Section 102-11(b)(2) requires the application to give contact information for the applicant and for whoever is doing the work, a description of the work, anticipated start and end dates, and an acknowledgement that you will abide by the chapter and any conditions of approval.
4
For underground work, add a drawing showing the location, overall dimensions and depth, and "all trees, plants, and shrubs to be maintained or impacted by the proposed work or within eight feet of any proposed excavation."
5
Note the timing conflict and use the longer one. Section 102-11(b)(4) says the application must be submitted "not less than two weeks prior to the start date"; the city's tree permit page says to submit it at least 30 days in advance and that the permit is valid for 90 days.
6
Section 102-11(b)(7): notify the city forester within five days of finishing, and an inspection follows.

Fees, penalties, and the ordinance

Penalties

Section 102-24: "(a) Bond amount. Any person charged with violation of this chapter may pay a deposit of $400.00 plus costs in lieu of a court appearance. (b) Forfeiture range. Any person found in violation of this division shall forfeit not more than $1,000.00. (c) Restitution. In addition to any judgment, any person who damages or causes to be damaged any a public tree, plant, or shrub is liable to the city for the cost of such tree, plant, or shrub, along with any removal or replacement costs. (d) Continuous violation. Each day that a violation continues may be considered a separate violation."

Ordinance

Racine Municipal Code chapter 102 - Trees and Vegetation. The current chapter is new: an editor's note records that "Ord. No. 0010-24, pt. 1, adopted November 19, 2024, repealed the former Chapter 102, Sections 102-26 through 102-30, 102-41 through 102-43, 102-56 through 102-64, 102-76 through 102-80, and enacted a new Chapter 102 as set out herein." Every section of the current chapter carries the citation (Ord. No. 0010-24, pt. 2, 11-19-24). The prior chapter derived from Code 1973 and ordinances running from 2000 to 2020. Code current through Ordinance No. 0082-26, adopted March 3, 2026 (Supp. No. 108).

Worth knowing

The chapter reaches private land in one direction only. Section 102-2(c): "The provisions of this chapter apply to all trees, plants, and shrubs located or planted in or upon any public area or that threaten the health, safety, or welfare of the public." Section 102-22(a) then declares a public nuisance any tree "growing on public or private property" that interferes with a public area, carries an infectious disease, is infested, or "by reason of its location or condition endangers the health, safety, or welfare of persons or property."
A nuisance notice gives you at least 14 days, and the bill lands on your tax roll. Section 102-22(b) requires written notice specifying the violation and a deadline "not less than 14 days, unless the city forester determines that immediate action is necessary." Section 102-22(c): if you do not comply the forester abates it and "shall report the expense thereof to the city treasurer, who shall enter it as a charge against the property."
Excavating near a city tree needs the same permit as cutting one. Section 102-11(a) covers anyone who would "excavate within eight feet of a public tree."
Storms suspend the permit entirely. Section 102-11(d)(2): "No permit is required for an abutting property owner, contractor for the abutting property owner, utility, or the city to perform work on any public tree in order to abate storm damage immediately following such damage."
You are responsible for trimming your own private trees at intersections. Section 102-13(a): "Trees, plants, or shrubs planted in or upon any private property that obstruct the view of intersections or traffic signs or signals, shall be kept trimmed by the owner of the property."
Racine does not license tree services. A full read of chapter 22 (Businesses, Professions and Occupations) found 36 license articles and no tree, arborist or landscaping category - the only tree entry in the whole chapter is Article XXXIII, Christmas Tree Lots and Stands. Vetting your contractor is entirely on you.
You have 15 days to appeal any determination of the city forester, to the board of parks, recreation and cultural services commissioners, under Section 102-23.

What we could not confirm

We would rather tell you what we don't know than guess. Call the office below to confirm these before you cut.

— The permit fee. Section 102-11(b)(3) says only that "Permit fees shall be determined by the budget as set forth in the fee schedule and established by the common council," and the city's tree permit page states cost responsibility falls on the permit holder without naming an amount. Call 262-636-9131.
— A timing conflict the city has not reconciled: the ordinance requires two weeks notice and the city website asks for 30 days. Both are published and both are reported above.
— The permit duration. The city website says 90 days; Section 102-11 sets no term and refers only to an expiration date on the permit.
— The contents of the tree manual. Section 102-4 authorizes the board of parks commissioners to adopt "policies and procedures... collectively referred to as the tree manual," which are not published in the code and may contain provisions not visible in the codified text.
— Whether the November 2024 rewrite narrowed or broadened the city's reach onto private property compared with the repealed chapter. The prior text is not published alongside the new one.
— A direct email address for the forestry division. The city publishes a phone number and a counter location only.