Tree Protection in Farmington Hills, MI (2026)
4 verified tree protection rules for Farmington Hills, Michigan, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
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.
Farmington Hills Tree Removal Permits — Citywide Trigger at 6-Inch DBH (Ch. 34-5.18)
Heavy RestrictionsHeritage & 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.
Farmington Hills Heritage Trees — No Stand-Alone Registry; Ch. 34-5.18 Protects All Trees ≥6 DBH
Some RestrictionsTree 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.
Farmington Hills Tree Replacement — Comparable Shade, Same Species from MI Nurseries (Ch. 34-5.18)
Heavy RestrictionsTree 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).
Farmington Hills Tree Ordinances — Ch. 34-5.18 Permit + Ch. 31 Vegetation + Tree City USA
Heavy RestrictionsLooking for Oakland County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Farmington Hills city rules.
Tree Protection in Oakland County →