Landscaping Rules in Farmington Hills, MI (2026)
8 verified landscaping rules for Farmington Hills, Michigan, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Grass Height Limits
Chapter 17 (Nuisances), Article II of the Farmington Hills Code of Ordinances requires property owners on land within 100 feet of a platted subdivision, single-family residential condominium, or any major road to keep noxious vegetation and lawn grass cut to a maximum height of eight (8) inches above ground level, or to a level that prohibits a flower-bearing state, whichever is less. Vegetation not appropriately cut by June 1 and thereafter for the remainder of the year may be cut by the City, with the owner billed for the cost of each cut as provided in Section 17-29.
Farmington Hills Grass & Noxious Vegetation — 8-Inch Limit (Chapter 17 Nuisances)
Some RestrictionsTree Trimming
Farmington Hills does not require a permit to prune healthy trees on private residential property. Trees in the public right-of-way and on City-owned property are maintained by the Department of Public Services (DPS) in coordination with the Planning Office, which administers the Zoning Chapter 34-5.18 tree provisions. Farmington Hills is a Tree City USA designated by the Arbor Day Foundation and observes Arbor Day annually as part of program participation.
Farmington Hills Tree Trimming — Private Pruning Unregulated; ROW Trees Coordinated with DPS
Few RestrictionsTree 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. Replacement trees must have shade potential and other characteristics comparable to the trees being removed. Trees within ten (10) feet of the building envelope must be replaced when removed.
Farmington Hills Tree Removal — Permit Required for Trees 6 Inches DBH and Larger (Ch. 34-5.18)
Heavy RestrictionsWeed Ordinances
Farmington Hills regulates noxious vegetation locally through Chapter 17 (Nuisances), Article II, alongside the 8-inch grass-height standard. State-level invasive-plant authority sits with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and EGLE under Part 413 of NREPA (MCL 324.41301 et seq.). In May 2026, the Michigan Commission of Agriculture & Rural Development added six species — callery pear, common buckthorn, glossy buckthorn, Japanese barberry, water hyacinth, and water lettuce — to the State's Prohibited and Restricted Plant lists.
Farmington Hills Noxious Weeds — Ch. 17 Local + Michigan Invasive Species Order Layer
Some RestrictionsWater Restrictions
Farmington Hills purchases drinking water from the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) — sourced from Lake Huron via the Lake Huron Water Treatment Plant in Port Huron and from the Detroit River via the Springwells Water Treatment Plant. From April 1 through October 31, outdoor watering follows a hard-coded odd/even address-based schedule under Chapter 33 (Water and Sewers), Article V — odd-numbered addresses water Monday/Wednesday/Saturday and even-numbered addresses water Tuesday/Thursday/Sunday, with no irrigation permitted between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Farmington Hills Water Restrictions — Odd/Even Watering April 1–October 31 (Ch. 33 Art. V)
Heavy RestrictionsRainwater Harvesting
Michigan has no statewide volume cap on residential rainwater collection, and Farmington Hills does not regulate residential rain barrels under its municipal code. Rain-barrel installations must conform to the Michigan Plumbing Code where they connect to building systems, and any cross-connection to potable water requires backflow protection. The Oakland County RainSmart Rebates program offers up to $2,000 to homeowners in southeast Oakland County (including Farmington Hills) for rain barrels, rain gardens, and tree-planting installations.
Farmington Hills Rainwater Harvesting — Allowed; No State Volume Cap; Rebates Available
Few RestrictionsNative Plants
Farmington Hills does not mandate native plants in private landscapes, but actively encourages native and Michigan-adapted species through the City's Reduce Flooding campaign as a way to slow rainfall and reduce runoff into the Rouge River. Native-meadow plantings that exceed the 8-inch grass-height standard in Chapter 17, Article II may still be subject to nuisance abatement within the 100-foot trigger zones, so coordination with Code Enforcement is recommended. Michigan has NO statewide HOA xeriscape protection law equivalent to Colorado's CRS 38-33.3-106.5.
Farmington Hills Native Plants — Encouraged for Rouge River Watershed; No HOA Xeriscape Preemption
Few RestrictionsArtificial Turf
Farmington Hills does not prohibit artificial turf on residential, commercial, or institutional property. Michigan has no statewide artificial-turf or non-functional-turf prohibition equivalent to Colorado SB 24-005. Artificial-turf installations on developed sites that affect impervious-surface coverage are subject to Chapter 34 (Zoning) site-plan review and the City's Storm Water Management Plan / MS4 NPDES permit obligations to the Rouge River watershed.
Farmington Hills Artificial Turf — No City Ban; Stormwater + Plan Review Standards Apply
Few RestrictionsLooking for Oakland County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Farmington Hills city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Oakland County →