Tree Removal Permit Requirements in Village of Salem Lakes, WI
The Village of Salem Lakes was created February 21, 2017 by the consolidation of the Town of Salem and the Village of Silver Lake into a single village government. ZIP 53179 (Trevor, WI) is an unincorporated community within Salem Lakes; mailing addresses for Trevor route through the Trevor or Silver Lake post offices but the actual permit-issuing jurisdiction is the Village of Salem Lakes. The village Building Inspection Department at 9814 Antioch Road in Salem (the village hall) issues all building, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC permits and enforces the Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code. Wisconsin has a STRONG STATEWIDE code framework administered by the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS): (1) 1- and 2-family dwellings — Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code (UDC), Wis. Admin. Code SPS 320-325, base referenced to the 2015 IRC with extensive Wisconsin amendments; (2) Commercial buildings — Wis. Admin. Code SPS 361-366, incorporating 2015 IBC with WI amendments; (3) Electrical — Wis. Admin. Code SPS 316, adopting NFPA 70 / NEC 2017 statewide; (4) Plumbing — Wis. Admin. Code SPS 382-387 (Wisconsin's OWN plumbing code, NOT the IPC); (5) Energy — SPS 322 (residential, UDC-integrated) and SPS 363 (commercial). IECC Climate Zone 6A (cold-humid). Standard frost depth in southern Kenosha County is 48 inches per SPS 321.18. Wisconsin contractor licensing is handled by DSPS: Dwelling Contractor Certification (business-level, required for any company doing 1-2 family residential), Dwelling Contractor Qualifier (DCQ) (individual certification tied to the company; 12-hour continuing education every 4 years), Master and Journeyman Electrician licenses (NEC-based exam), Master and Journeyman Plumber licenses (Wisconsin plumbing code exam). Wisconsin does NOT license HVAC technicians at the state level (refrigeration certification is separate). Distinctive features for 53179 / Salem Lakes projects: (1) MULTIPLE NAVIGABLE LAKES — Camp Lake, Center Lake, Hooker Lake, Powers Lake, Cross Lake, and Lake Shangrila are all navigable and trigger the Wisconsin Shoreland Management Program (NR 115). Key rules: 75-foot principal-structure setback from the Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM), 35-foot vegetative buffer, and 15% impervious-surface cap within 300 feet of OHWM; mitigation is required for any non-conforming-structure expansion. (2) FLOODPLAIN — NR 116 statewide standards; FEMA NFIP administered locally via the Kenosha County Floodplain Ordinance with the village. (3) WETLANDS — Wisconsin DNR jurisdiction under NR 103; the Fox River and Bassett Creek corridors traverse Salem Lakes and trigger Wis. Stat. Ch. 30 navigable-waterway permits for any in-water or below-OHWM work. (4) STORMWATER — village handles general site stormwater; Kenosha County overlays municipal authority on shoreland, floodplain, and non-metallic mining. (5) SEPTIC / POWTS — Many older Salem Lakes parcels are on Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (POWTS) regulated under SPS 383-385; system installers must hold a DSPS Master Plumber Restricted Service license; soils evaluation and tank/drainfield permits are issued through Kenosha County Health Department. (6) ELECTRICAL UTILITY — We Energies serves most of Salem Lakes; coordinate service-entrance and meter-base work with We Energies before the village final inspection. (7) PRIVATE WELL — many parcels rely on private wells regulated under NR 812 (well-construction code), inspected by Wisconsin DNR.
By Joey, Founder · Last verified April 28, 2026 · How we research →
When you don’t need a Tree Removal permit in Village of Salem Lakes
Residential tree removal on private property is generally exempt from a permit, but trees within 300 ft of a navigable lake's OHWM are protected under NR 115 (35-ft vegetative buffer rule); selective cutting is allowed but full clearing requires shoreland-zoning approval.
Trees within or near We Energies easements may be trimmed/removed by the utility free of charge as part of vegetation management; coordinate with We Energies before contracting a private arborist for transmission-adjacent work.
Tree Removal Permit Costs: Village of Salem Lakes vs. Nearby
| City | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Village of Salem Lakes | N/A |
| Milwaukee | $25 – $500 |
| Madison | $25 – $500 |
| Green Bay | $25 – $500 |
Fees shown are estimates based on local building code data. Actual fees may vary based on project scope and valuation. See all Village of Salem Lakes permit costs →
Zoning & HOA Considerations
Many cities protect trees above a certain diameter at breast height (DBH), commonly 6", 12", 19", or 20", and some cities protect specific species (oak, sycamore) regardless of size. Portland, Atlanta, Austin, Seattle, and Los Angeles all have significant tree protection rules. Houston and most of Texas have none.
If you live in an HOA community: hOAs commonly regulate tree removal, particularly for front-yard trees and specimen trees. Even where city law permits removal, HOA approval may be required.
Estimated Project Timeline in Village of Salem Lakes
Here's a typical timeline for a tree removal project in Village of Salem Lakes, WI:
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Frequently Asked Questions
Contact Village of Salem Lakes's building department for current Tree Removal permit fee information. Fees typically vary based on project scope and valuation.
It depends on the specifics of your project. Some smaller Tree Removal projects may be exempt from permit requirements, while larger ones typically require a permit. Use our free lookup tool to check your specific situation.
Working without a required permit in Village of Salem Lakes can result in fines, stop-work orders, being required to remove completed work, and complications when selling your home. It's always best to check first.
Contact Village of Salem Lakes's building department for current processing times. Timelines vary based on project complexity and whether plan review is required.
If you live in an HOA community, you may need architectural review approval in addition to a building permit. HOA rules and city building codes are separate, you may need to satisfy both. Review your CC&Rs and submit to your HOA's architectural review committee before starting work.
Learn More About Tree Removal Permits
Read our complete guide covering permit requirements, costs, common exemptions, and the application process.
Read Tree Removal Guide →