Landscaping Rules in Farmington Hills, MI

If you live in Farmington Hills or are thinking about moving there, landscaping rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Farmington Hills has 3 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of landscaping rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Weed Ordinances

Farmington Hills caps noxious weeds and lawn grass at 8 inches above ground level near subdivisions, condominiums and major roads under Code Sec. 17-27. The city can cut violating lots after 10 days' notice and bill the owner, plus a fine of up to $500.

Key details: Height limit: 8 inches above ground. Governing section: City Code Sec. 17-27. Notice period: 10 days after certified mail. Max civil fine: $500 plus up to 90 days jail. Applies near: Subdivisions, condos, major roads.

An owner who fails to cut noxious vegetation or lawn grass over 8 inches within 10 days of notice faces city abatement billed as a property lien under Sec. 17-29, plus a civil fine of up to $500 and up to 90 days in jail plus attorney fees under Sec. 17-31.

Tree Trimming

Public utilities in Farmington Hills need the city manager's permission to trim trees in streets, alleys, parks and public places to protect overhead lines, and normally must give the city reasonable advance notice before starting the work.

Key details: Governing section: City Code § 31-17. Permission required from: City manager. Notice requirement: Reasonable prior notice, waived in emergencies. Direction of work: General direction of dept. of public services. Related tree-protection rule: City Code § 31-7.

Trimming trees within city streets, alleys, parks or public places for utility-line clearance without the city manager's permission, or without giving the required prior notice outside a genuine emergency, violates § 31-17. Separately, damaging a tree so that a utility line contacts it, or failing to abate an interference with tree trimming after department notice, violates the tree-protection duties in § 31-7.

The rules around tree trimming in Farmington Hills lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Farmington Hills controls all trees within street rights-of-way and parks. An abutting property owner needs written permission from the director of public services before pruning, spraying, planting or removing any tree in the road frontage next to their land.

Key details: Governing section: City Code § 31-2. Permit issuer: Director of public services. Scope: Street right-of-way and park trees only. Prohibited species: Poplar, willow, box elder (§ 31-1). Objection window (undesirable tree removal): 7 days to request hearing.

Removing, pruning or planting a right-of-way tree without the director of public services' written permission violates § 31-2. Malicious injury or destruction of any tree is separately referenced to state malicious mischief law, MCL 750.377 et seq. Costs the city incurs removing a tree can be assessed against the abutting property as a single lot assessment.

The Bottom Line

Farmington Hills's landscaping 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 Farmington Hills is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Farmington Hills's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.