What to Know Before Clearing Land Around Weston
River frontage has its own limits. On unincorporated shoreland, Wisconsin's rule NR 115 reaches 300
feet back from a river or stream, or to the landward edge of the floodplain if that is farther. County
ordinances keep a vegetative buffer at least 35 feet deep from the high-water mark, with access and
viewing corridors capped at 30 percent of the frontage or 200 feet, whichever is less. On a riverside lot, that buffer decides how much gets cleared. Inside Weston or Wausau, ask the applicable zoning authority which shoreline rules govern the parcel.
Honeysuckle comes back. Bush honeysuckle and buckthorn can close the shrub layer beneath a woodlot. Clearing opens the ground, but honeysuckle cut without treatment can resprout vigorously, so plan follow-up visits. Our
Wisconsin bush honeysuckle removal guide
lays out the plan.
Who to ask about permits. DNR storm water permit coverage applies once a project
disturbs an acre or more, with the Notice of Intent filed at least 14 working days ahead. Inside the
Village of Weston and its extraterritorial zoning area in the Town of Weston, the village's Planning
& Development department handles zoning and land divisions; on unincorporated shoreland, the county
ordinance applies. Requirements vary by parcel, scope and jurisdiction, and the governing authority
makes the determination.