It’s known by many names: tree lawn, curb strip, road verge, and even more dramatic ones like “hellstrip” and “devil’s strip.”
Increasingly, people are turning the strip of grass between the sidewalk and the street into flourishing gardens.
The space between your sidewalk and the street is often known as the curb strip or “hellstrip.”
But if you choose to do so in Milwaukee, you should know a few things.
The City of Milwaukee allows you to plant flowers in the public right-of-way as long as they are under 3 feet tall. The flowers can’t block sidewalks, drivers’ views, or create hazards, according to city ordinance.
And only the property owner, or someone with their permission, can plant flowers in the public right-of-way that’s directly in front of their home.
Planting edible fruits and vegetables is prohibited without a special permit. You can apply for a garden permit by calling Groundwork Milwaukee at 414-763-9947.
Before digging in the public right-of-way, you also need to give the Wisconsin Public Service Commission three business days advantage notice by calling the Diggers Hotline at 811.
If there’s a violation, the city will give the property owner 30 days to fix it. After that, the Department of Public Works may remove the plants and bill the owner. Unpaid charges will be added to your property tax bill as a delinquent tax, along with a $25 administrative fee.
More: Can my Milwaukee neighbor let their yard grow wild with weeds?
In addition, the city isn’t liable if plants get damaged by tree work, utility repairs, or snow removal.
For more information, check out Ordinance 116-54, which outlines the use of public ways and spaces in Milwaukee.
Quinn Clark is a Public Investigator reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. She can be emailed at QClark@gannettcom.
Tell us what questions you want answered
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: In Milwaukee, can I plant in tree lawn between sidewalk, street?