Invasive Plant Rules in Detroit, MI: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Detroit or are thinking about moving there, invasive plant rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Detroit has 2 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of invasive plant rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Front Yard Gardens

Detroit allows urban gardens by right in every residential district, but the city's Forestry Division bans planting any tree species or other plant it deems injurious or invasive, plus oats, wheat, and rye to control rodents.

Key details: Governing section: Detroit City Code § 50-12-397. Use type: By-right in every residential district. Banned plants: Tree species and Forestry-designated invasive plants. Setback rule: Crop areas 5 feet from property lines. Enforcing agency: General Services Dept. Forestry Division.

Planting a prohibited tree species or a plant the Forestry Division flags as injurious or invasive on an urban garden violates § 50-12-397; enforcement runs through the Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department's zoning code process.

Prohibited Species

Detroit's zoning code bars planting silver maple, boxelder, mulberry, cottonwood, black locust, willow, American and Siberian elm, and other listed species citywide unless the Recreation Department grants special review approval.

Key details: Species banned: 12 listed tree species. Exception path: Recreation Dept. special review. Applies to: new landscaping on covered projects. Also caps: single species at 50% of plantings.

Zoning reviewers can reject landscape plans that specify a listed species without Recreation Department approval, and Chapter 50 requires all required landscaping to be installed and healthy before a final certificate of occupancy issues, so noncompliant plantings can hold up project sign-off.

This is one of the stricter rules in Detroit's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

The Bottom Line

Detroit's invasive plant rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Detroit is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Detroit can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.