Landscaping Rules in Livonia, MI (2026)
6 verified landscaping rules for Livonia, Michigan, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Livonia bars property owners from maintaining any tree or shrub that causes a traffic hazard, obstruction, or public menace. After city certification, the inspection department can order the owner to remove it within 10 days; ignoring the notice lets the city do the work and bill the owner, or prosecute.
Livonia Hazard Tree Trimming Requirement
Some RestrictionsLivonia Code of Ordinances § 12.24.130
No person shall, within the city, maintain on his or her property any tree or shrub which may cause a traffic hazard or obstruction or in any way constitute a menace to the health, safety, and welfare of the public. ... On certification by the police department and the department of public works that any trees or shrubbery on private property do constitute a traffic hazard ... the owner or owne...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Removing, pruning, or otherwise affecting a tree or shrub in a Livonia public place, meaning streets, parks, and city-owned land, requires a permit from the department of public works, which weighs safety risk, disease, storm damage, and species before approving. Working without the permit is a misdemeanor.
Livonia Public-Place Tree Removal Permit
Some RestrictionsLivonia Code of Ordinances § 12.24.055
No person shall plant, remove, prune, injure, or otherwise affect any tree or shrub in or on any public place without first having obtained a permit therefor as hereinafter provided in this chapter. No Permits shall be issued by the department without compliance with this chapter and the regulations, purpose and goals adopted pursuant thereto. In determining whether a permit should issue the de...
Weed Ordinances
Livonia caps weeds, grass, brush or other unhealthful growth at 9 inches above ground level on any lot in the city, including the unpaved right-of-way strip next to it. Anything taller, plus refuse or debris, is a public nuisance the owner must cut down or remove.
Livonia 9-Inch Maximum Weed and Grass Height
Some RestrictionsLivonia Code of Ordinances § 8.40.050
It is unlawful for the owner or occupant, or any person having control or management of any lot, place, area or parcel of land within the city, to permit or allow the presence thereon or in the unpaved portion of any public right-of-way immediately adjacent thereto of weeds, grass, brush or deleterious, unhealthful growths of any species or variety exceeding a height of nine (9) inches above gr...
Water Restrictions
Livonia has no standing lawn-watering schedule, but Section 13.04.080 lets the mayor declare a water emergency and impose an odd/even street-side sprinkling restriction when system-wide demand threatens public health or safety. Violating a declared restriction is a misdemeanor punishable by up to $100.00 and thirty days in jail.
Livonia Emergency Lawn Sprinkling Restriction
Some RestrictionsLivonia Code of Ordinances § 13.04.080
Whenever the mayor of the city determines that water usage from the water distribution system has reached such a volume that unless restricted, the public health, safety and general welfare is likely to be endangered, the mayor may determine that a state of emergency exists and prescribe water conservation measures in the affected areas for the duration of such emergency, including any restrict...
Artificial Turf
For any site that must file a landscape plan, Livonia's Zoning Ordinance Section 10.04(4)(C) is blunt: "Artificial plants are prohibited from satisfying landscape requirements." Synthetic turf, fake shrubs and plastic greenery cannot substitute for the live grass, trees and shrubs a commercial, multi-family or subdivision landscape plan requires.
Livonia Bars Artificial Turf From Landscape Credit
Light RestrictionsLivonia Zoning Ordinance No. 3160, § 10.04(4)(C)
(4)Minimum Requirements for Plant Material.A)All plant material must conform to the description consistent with generally accepted and published nursery and landscape standards. Plant materials must be typical of their species or variety, have normal habitat of growth, well-branched, and densely foliated when in leaf.B)Plant materials must be chosen according to soil, climatic conditions, and e...
Composting
Livonia allows residential composting only in rear yards, at least 3 feet from any lot line and 25 feet from a neighboring dwelling, with bins capped at 3 feet by 3 feet and 3 feet tall, up to three bins per parcel. Only plant-based biodegradable material is allowed, and screening from adjoining yards is required.
Livonia Backyard Composting Bin Standards
Some RestrictionsLivonia Code of Ordinances § 13.36.245
D.Compost bins/piles shall not be located in any front yard or side yard (including a corner side yard). Compost bins/piles are permitted in rear yards only and shall be located a minimum of three (3) feet from any lot line and twenty-five (25) feet from any dwelling located on adjacent property.E.Compost bins/piles shall not exceed a maximum of three feet by three feet (3' x 3') in area and th...
Looking for Wayne County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Livonia city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Wayne County →