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Tree Protection

Tree Protection in Farmington Hills, MI: What Residents Actually Need to Know

By CityRuleLookup Editorial Team

If you live in Farmington Hills or are thinking about moving there, tree protection are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Farmington Hills has 4 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of tree protection, and some of them might surprise you.

Tree Replacement Requirements

When a tree of 6 inches DBH or larger is removed under a Chapter 34-5.18 Tree Removal Permit, replacement trees must have shade potential and other characteristics comparable to the removed trees, and must be of the same species as the removed trees where available from Michigan nurseries. Trees existing within ten (10) feet of the building envelope must be replaced when removed. Deciduous trees relocated rather than removed are capped at ten-inch caliper or DBH for transplant feasibility.

Key details: Authority: Zoning Chapter 34-5.18. Trigger: Trees within 10 ft of building envelope when removed. Replacement Standard: Comparable shade potential + characteristics. Species Match: Same species when available from Michigan nurseries. Relocation Cap: Deciduous ≤10-inch caliper / DBH.

Failure to plant required replacement trees under a Chapter 34-5.18 permit is a Zoning violation enforced by the Planning Office with civil-infraction fines, certificate-of-occupancy holds, and replacement orders. Planting replacement trees that fail to match the comparable-shade or Michigan-nursery same-species standards may trigger replacement-of-replacement orders. Damage to drip-line protection fencing or to a designated retention tree may be cited as a Zoning violation with replacement obligations. State-law violations under MCL 324.30101 (wetland restoration) are enforced by EGLE. Damage to a neighbor's tree exposes the actor to treble damages plus attorney fees under MCL 600.2919.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Farmington Hills actively enforces its tree replacement requirements requirements.

Tree Removal Permits

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, in accordance with City of Farmington Hills Zoning Chapter 34-5.18. The requirement applies citywide — including single-family residential parcels — and is among the stricter tree-removal permit thresholds in southeast Michigan. The Planning Office at (248) 871-2400 issues permits, reviews replacement plans, and verifies field markings.

Key details: Authority: Zoning Chapter 34-5.18. DBH Trigger: 6 inches or more. Citywide Scope: Yes — applies to single-family residential too. Permit Office: Planning Office — (248) 871-2400. Tree Survey Scale: Minimum 1 inch = 50 feet.

Removing a tree of 6 inches DBH or larger without a Tree Removal Permit is a Chapter 34 Zoning violation enforced as a municipal civil infraction in 47th District Court, with Planning Office authority to impose replacement orders, stop-work, and certificate-of-occupancy holds. Damage to the protected drip-line zone of a tree designated for retention triggers replacement orders. Removing or damaging a City-owned or right-of-way tree without permission is enforced as injury to public property with restitution measured by ISA Trunk Formula or Replacement Cost Method appraisal. Damage to a neighbor's tree is actionable in Oakland County Circuit Court with treble damages plus attorney fees under MCL 600.2919 for willful destruction. State-law violations of MCL 324.30101 (wetland disturbance) are enforced by EGLE.

Compared to other cities, Farmington Hills takes a harder line on tree removal permits. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

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. Michigan-state layers include NREPA Part 503 (Forest Practices Act, MCL 324.50301), Part 413 (Invasive Species, MCL 324.41301), and the Wetlands Protection Act (MCL 324.30101).

Key details: Primary Authority: Zoning Chapter 34-5.18 (citywide 6-inch DBH permit). Landscape Companion: Chapter 34-5.14. Vegetation Chapter: Chapter 31 (Vegetation). Nuisance Layer: Chapter 17, Article II (8-inch grass). Tree City USA: Farmington Hills — Arbor Day Foundation.

Chapter 34-5.18 violations — unauthorized removal of trees 6 inches DBH or larger, damage to designated preservation trees, failure to install drip-line fencing, or failure to plant required replacement trees — are enforced as municipal civil infractions in 47th District Court by the Planning Office, with civil-infraction fines, certificate-of-occupancy holds, replacement orders, and stop-work authority. Chapter 17, Article II violations (grass over 8 inches, noxious vegetation in trigger zones) follow the written-notice / City-cut / Section 17-29 cost-recovery process. Removing or damaging a tree on City right-of-way or City-owned property without permission is enforced as injury to public property with ISA Trunk Formula or Replacement Cost Method restitution. State-law violations include MCL 324.41323 invasive-species penalties (up to $20,000), MCL 324.30101 wetland restoration enforced by EGLE, and MCL 600.2919 treble damages plus attorney fees in Oakland County Circuit Court.

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

Heritage & Protected Trees

Farmington Hills does not maintain a stand-alone heritage-tree or champion-tree registry. Instead, the 6-inch DBH citywide permit trigger under Chapter 34-5.18 functions as the de facto specimen-tree protection — any tree meeting the threshold is subject to permit review before removal, with retention encouraged and replacement required for trees near building envelopes. The Michigan Botanical Foundation and Michigan DNR maintain informal champion-tree records at the state level.

Key details: Heritage Registry: None — no stand-alone heritage/landmark designation. De Facto Protection: Citywide 6-inch DBH permit trigger (Ch. 34-5.18). State Champion Trees: Informal — MI DNR + Michigan Botanical Foundation. Tree City USA: Farmington Hills — Arbor Day Foundation. Historic-District Layer: MCL 399.201 et seq. — Historic District Commission.

Damaging, removing, or destroying any tree of 6 inches DBH or larger without a Tree Removal Permit is a Chapter 34 Zoning violation enforced as a municipal civil infraction in 47th District Court, with replacement orders and civil-infraction fines. Damage to a tree on City-owned or right-of-way property is enforced as injury to public property with restitution typically based on ISA Trunk Formula or Replacement Cost Method appraisal. Damage to a notable historic-district tree may also trigger Historic District Commission enforcement under the Michigan Local Historic Districts Act, with restoration orders. Willful destruction or carrying away of trees from another person's land is subject to treble damages plus attorney fees under MCL 600.2919.

The Bottom Line

Farmington Hills is tougher than many cities when it comes to tree protection. Out of the 4 rules covered here, 3 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Farmington Hills, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

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.