WI SB525

Sign owners who received vegetation removal permits on or after May 19, 2012, no longer need subsequent permits for the same sign and may maintain their viewing window with 15 days advance notice to the department and submission of before/after photos within 15 days of work completion.

Permits for new sign locations may now be applied for prior to sign construction, and applications not approved or denied within 60 calendar days are automatically deemed approved.

Tree removal compensation increases from $200 to $300 per tree (2 inches or more in diameter at breast height), with funds designated specifically for planting living snow fences.

The department rather than a permittee-retained certified arborist now determines the number of trees to be removed and handles tree counting calculations.

Dead, diseased, or invasive species within the viewing window may be removed regardless of whether they obstruct the sign's visibility.