What Farmington Hills Regulates: A Complete Ordinance Overview

Farmington Hills, Michigan may not be the biggest city in the state, but it has its own set of local rules that residents need to follow. With 106 tracked ordinances across 23 categories, there is more here than you might expect.

Noise Ordinances

Decibel Limits: Farmington Hills is one of the comparatively few Michigan cities with a codified dB(A) limit table. Sec.

Also covered: Barking Dogs (moderate), Industrial Noise (moderate), Quiet Hours (moderate). See the full noise ordinances guide for Farmington Hills for details.

Fence Regulations

Pool Barriers: Swimming pool barriers in Farmington Hills must comply with the Michigan Residential Code Appendix G (adopted from the 2015 IRC), which is preempted to the state by the Stille-DeRossett-Hale Act. A minimum 48-inch (4-foot) barrier is required, with openings no greater than 4 inches in diameter, and self-closing/self-latching gates with the latch at least 54 inches above grade.

Also covered: Neighbor Fence Rules (permissive), Retaining Walls (moderate), Material Restrictions (moderate). See the full fence regulations guide for Farmington Hills for details.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Fencing Requirements: Pool barriers in Farmington Hills must meet IRC Appendix G as adopted in the Michigan Residential Code: minimum 48-inch height, no 4-inch sphere openings, self-closing/self-latching gates opening outward with latch at least 54 inches above grade, and dwelling-as-barrier door/window alarms unless a powered ASTM F1346 cover is used. Chapter 28 Sec.

Also covered: Safety Rules (strict), Hot Tub Rules (strict), Pool Permits (strict). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for Farmington Hills for details.

Noise from Specific Sources

HVAC & Mechanical Noise: HVAC and other fixed mechanical equipment (air conditioner condensers, chillers, rooftop units, pool pumps, generators, heat pumps) are regulated under Sec. 17-101(c) Table A receiving-property caps.

Animal Ordinances

Wildlife Feeding: Farmington Hills adopted Ordinance C-5-2017 in 2017 prohibiting the feeding of deer within the city. The ordinance is part of the City's deer-management strategy in response to chronic deer overpopulation in this suburban Oakland County community.

Also covered: Beekeeping (moderate), Breed Restrictions (permissive), Livestock (strict). See the full animal ordinances guide for Farmington Hills for details.

Landscaping Rules

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees: A Tree Removal Permit must be obtained from the Farmington Hills Planning Office prior to all tree removal activity involving trees six (6) inches or more DBH (diameter at breast height) in accordance with City of Farmington Hills Zoning Chapter 34-5.18. The requirement applies citywide, not just to development sites.

Also covered: Rainwater Harvesting (permissive), Artificial Turf (permissive), Tree Trimming (permissive). See the full landscaping rules guide for Farmington Hills for details.

Tree Protection

Tree Ordinances: Farmington Hills' tree-protection framework rests on Zoning Chapter 34-5.18 (citywide 6-inch DBH Tree Removal Permit), Chapter 34-5.14 (landscape standards), and Chapter 31 (Vegetation), supplemented by Chapter 17 (Nuisances) for grass and noxious vegetation. The City is a Tree City USA designated by the Arbor Day Foundation.

Also covered: Tree Replacement Requirements (strict), Tree Removal Permits (strict), Heritage & Protected Trees (moderate). See the full tree protection guide for Farmington Hills for details.

Home Business

Signage Rules: Farmington Hills prohibits any exterior signage associated with a home occupation. Under Sec.

Also covered: Zoning Restrictions (moderate), Cottage Food Operations (permissive), Customer Traffic Restrictions (strict). See the full home business guide for Farmington Hills for details.

Short-Term Rentals

Permit Requirements: In September 2023, the Farmington Hills City Council adopted Zoning Text Amendment 3, 2023 amending Chapter 34 (Zoning) - and related provisions in Chapter 9 (Community Development, Housing Code) - to prohibit non-owner-occupied short-term rentals in residential zoning districts. The amendment revised the definition of 'Motel' in Chapter 34, Article 2, Section 2.2 to capture commercial transient rental of residential dwellings as a motel use not permitted in residential districts.

Also covered: Taxes & Fees (moderate), Night Caps (permissive), Noise Rules (moderate). See the full short-term rentals guide for Farmington Hills for details.

Parking Rules

Abandoned Vehicles: Abandoned vehicles in Farmington Hills are handled under Michigan Vehicle Code MCL 257.252a, which treats a vehicle that has remained on public property for a period of not less than forty-eight hours as an abandoned vehicle subject to being taken into custody by a police agency. Within twenty-four hours after the vehicle is taken into custody, law enforcement must enter the vehicle as abandoned into the Law Enforcement Information Network (LEIN) and notify the Secretary of State, which then notifies the registered owner.

Also covered: Curb Color Rules (moderate), RV & Boat Parking (moderate), Driveway Rules (moderate). See the full parking rules guide for Farmington Hills for details.

Property Maintenance

Trash Bin Storage: Residential garbage and recycling in Farmington Hills is collected weekly by Priority Waste under contract with the City. Carts may be placed at the curb no earlier than 6:00 PM the day before collection and must be removed within 12 hours after collection.

Also covered: Snow & Sidewalk Clearing (permissive), Garage Sale Rules (permissive), Vacant Lot Maintenance (moderate). See the full property maintenance guide for Farmington Hills for details.

Fire Regulations

Fireworks: Farmington Hills regulates consumer fireworks under Chapter 12 of the Code of Ordinances within the strict limits set by the Michigan Fireworks Safety Act (MCL 28.451 et seq.) as amended by 2018 PA 635 (which replaced the more permissive 2011 PA 256 holiday window with the current narrower list). MCL 28.457 prohibits local fireworks ordinances from restricting discharge on the following days after 11 a.m.: December 31 (until 1 a.m.

Also covered: Outdoor Burning (strict), Wildfire Zones (permissive), Fire Pit Rules (moderate). See the full fire regulations guide for Farmington Hills for details.

Accessory Structures

ADU Rules: Farmington Hills does not have an accessory dwelling unit ordinance — separate ADUs are not a permitted accessory use in single-family districts under Chapter 34. Michigan currently has no statewide ADU mandate; House Bills 5529-5532 and HB 5585 of the 2025-2026 Housing Forward Act package would create one but remained in House Committee as of early 2026..

Also covered: Carport Rules (moderate), Tiny Homes (strict), Shed Rules (moderate). See the full accessory structures guide for Farmington Hills for details.

Trash & Recycling

Pickup Rules & Schedules: Farmington Hills residential garbage, recycling, yard waste, and bulk pickup are provided weekly by Priority Waste under a long-term contract with the City, administered by the Division of Public Works at (248) 871-2850. Standard service is a 95-gallon trash cart (as of October 2023) for weekly curbside collection, with single-stream recycling and yard waste from early April through early December.

Also covered: Bin Placement Rules (moderate), Bulk Item Disposal (moderate). See the full trash & recycling guide for Farmington Hills for details.

Outdoor Lighting

Dark Sky Rules: Outdoor lighting in Farmington Hills is governed by the Zoning Chapter 34 of the Code of Ordinances, specifically Sec. 34-5.16 (Exterior Lighting), as substantially revised by Ordinance No.

Invasive Plant Rules

Bamboo Restrictions: Farmington Hills does NOT have a dedicated running-bamboo containment ordinance. Bamboo plantings, including running varieties like Phyllostachys aureosulcata and Phyllostachys nigra, are not categorically prohibited by the Farmington Hills Code.

Environmental Rules

Flood Zones: Farmington Hills participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and regulates floodplain development under the local zoning ordinance (Chapter 34) in conjunction with EGLE floodplain review under Part 31 of NREPA, MCL 324.3101 et seq. (Floodplain Regulatory Authority MCL 324.3104 / 324.30301).

Also covered: Stormwater Management (strict), Grading & Drainage (strict), Erosion Control (strict). See the full environmental rules guide for Farmington Hills for details.

Sign Regulations

Political Signs: Farmington Hills regulates signs in Chapter 34 (Zoning), administered by the Planning Department (248-871-2540). The City's sign code is content-neutral after Reed v.

Also covered: Holiday Displays (permissive), Garage Sale Signs (moderate). See the full sign regulations guide for Farmington Hills for details.

Building Setbacks & Zoning

Setback Rules: Farmington Hills sets minimum front, side, and rear yard setbacks district-by-district in Chapter 34 of the Zoning Ordinance. Single-family districts (RA-1, RA-2A, RA-2B, RA-3, RA-4) have progressively smaller setbacks as lot sizes shrink.

Solar Energy

Panel Permits: Solar PV systems in Farmington Hills require both a building permit and an electrical permit from the Building Division at (248) 871-2450, with electrical interconnection through the serving utility (DTE Energy for most of Farmington Hills; some areas are Consumers Energy). The Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 34, Section 3.26) ALLOWS solar energy collectors in ALL zoning districts.

Also covered: HOA Restrictions (permissive). See the full solar energy guide for Farmington Hills for details.

Cannabis Regulations

Dispensary Zoning: Farmington Hills has OPTED OUT of all commercial marihuana establishments — there are NO licensed recreational marihuana retailers, growers, processors, microbusinesses, designated consumption establishments, secure transporters, or safety compliance facilities permitted in Farmington Hills. The opt-out is authorized by MCL 333.27956 (MRTMA Section 6) and is codified in the Farmington Hills Code at Chapter 18 (Offenses), Article II, Section 18-9 (prohibition of marihuana establishments) and reflected in the Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 34) by the absence of any marihuana-establishment use district.

Also covered: Home Cultivation (permissive). See the full cannabis regulations guide for Farmington Hills for details.

Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors

Food Truck Permits: Operating a food truck in Farmington Hills requires (1) a Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Mobile Food Establishment or Special Transitory Food Unit (STFU) license under the Michigan Food Law of 2000 (Act 92 of 2000, MCL 289.1101 et seq.), administered locally by the Oakland County Health Division (248-858-1280); (2) compliance with the City's Special Event / Temporary Outdoor Sales process under Code Sec. 22-119 when operating at an event or on private property; and (3) Oakland County Health Division inspection / health permit.

Also covered: Vending Zones (moderate). See the full food trucks & mobile vendors guide for Farmington Hills for details.

Drone Rules

Recreational Drones: Federal and Michigan state law preempt almost all local drone regulation in Farmington Hills. Under the Michigan Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act (Act 436 of 2016, MCL 259.301 et seq.), Sec.

What to Do With This Information

Whether you are renting, buying, or renovating in Farmington Hills, knowing the local rules upfront saves headaches later. Dig into the individual ordinance pages linked above for the complete picture, including fines and exemptions.