Landscaping Rules in Lansing, MI (2026)
4 verified landscaping rules for Lansing, Michigan, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Lansing's landscaping code requires trees and shrubs on a site plan to be trimmed so they don't conflict with pedestrians using the sidewalk.
Lansing Sidewalk Tree Trim Rule
Light RestrictionsLansing Codified Ordinances § 1252.09(b)
Trees and shrubs shall be trimmed to avoid conflicts with pedestrian use of the sidewalk.(c)Landscaping at corner properties shall be planted to provide the clear vision required in Section 1250.03.03. Landscaping in the clear vision triangle shall not contain obstructions greater than 36 inches in height.(d)Weeds shall be kept under control.(e)Buffer strips shall be properly maintained accordi...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Lansing requires a written permit from the City Forester before anyone may remove, destroy, cut, trim, or otherwise injure a tree, plant, or shrub in a City highway, park, or boulevard.
Lansing Requires Permit to Remove Trees
Some RestrictionsLansing Codified Ordinances § 688.01
No person shall, without first obtaining a written permit to do so from the City Forester, remove, destroy, break, cut, deface, trim or in any way injure or interfere with any tree, plant or shrub in any highway, park or boulevard of the City. This section does not apply to the Department of Public Service after having notified the City Forester. (Ord. No. 749, 4-13-87)
Weed Ordinances
Lansing property owners must keep grass under eight inches and premises free of weeds under the City's adopted Property Maintenance Code, with violations treated as a codified nuisance subject to a shortened correction notice.
Lansing 8-Inch Grass Height Limit
Some RestrictionsLansing Codified Ordinances § 1460.01(w) (amending IPMC § 302.4)
The first paragraph of Section 302.4 is replaced with the following: All premises shall be maintained free of weeds and of grass eight inches or more in height.(x)The text of Section 302.8 is replaced with the following: No motor vehicle that is inoperative, stripped, dismantled, or in a state of major disassembly or disrepair may be kept on any exterior premises. Motor vehicles may be removed ...
Composting
Lansing lets residents compost yard waste and fruit or vegetable matter on their own property, as long as it doesn't create a nuisance or smell beyond the property line.
Lansing Home Composting Rules
Light RestrictionsLansing Codified Ordinances § 1060.03(f)
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent an individual from composting yard waste and fruit and vegetable matter on his or her own property as long as the composting does not create a nuisance or hazard to health, and does not emit offensive odors beyond the property lines of the site in which the compost is located.(g)The burning of yard waste on any premises in the City is prohib...