Landscaping Rules in Southfield, MI (2026)
5 verified landscaping rules for Southfield, Michigan, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Southfield requires branches from private-property trees to clear sidewalks and bike paths by at least 8 feet, and streets by at least 14 feet, with a 6-inch side clearance if a branch sits lower. If an owner ignores a written correction notice, the superintendent of parks and recreation trims it and bills the property.
Southfield Tree Branch Clearance Over Sidewalks
Some RestrictionsSouthfield City Code § 3.25
A branch of any tree or shrub located on private property which overhangs a sidewalk or bike path shall have an under-clearance of at least eight (8) feet, and if under eight (8) feet in height, a side-clearance of at least six (6) inches. A branch of any tree or shrub located on private property which overhangs a street shall have an under-clearance of at least fourteen (14) feet; and if under...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Removing, trimming, or otherwise disturbing a tree or shrub in a Southfield highway, park, or public place requires a written permit from the superintendent of parks and recreation. The superintendent can condition a removal permit on planting a replacement, due within six months or the next planting season.
Southfield Permit to Remove Public Trees
Significant RestrictionsSouthfield City Code §§ 3.26, 3.27
No person shall hereafter plant, move, spray, fertilize, brace, trim, do surgery work, cut aboveground or below ground, cut any branch or root therefrom or otherwise disturb any tree or shrub in any highway, park or public place of the city, nor cause such acts to be done by others, without first obtaining a written permit from the superintendent of parks and recreation, who shall issue the per...
Weed Ordinances
In the City of Southfield, weeds of any variety, plus a named list including Canada thistle, ragweed and poison ivy, are noxious weeds once they grow past 12 inches tall under City Code Sec. 9.41, and owners who fail to destroy them can have the city cut the growth and place a lien on the property for the cost.
Southfield Noxious Weed Height Limit
Some RestrictionsSouthfield City Code § 9.41
(1)Definitions. ... (c)Noxious weeds shall include Canada thistle (circium arvense), dodders (any species of Cuscata), mustards (charlock, black mustard and Indian mustard, species of Brassica or Sinapis), wild carrot (Daucus carota), bindweed (convolvulos arvensis), perennial sowthistle (Sonchus arvensis), hoary alyssum (Berteroa incana), ragweed (ambrosia elatior l.) and poison ivy (rhus toxi...
Rainwater Harvesting
The City of Southfield regulates rainwater harvesting hardware under City Code § 5.60-D. Rain barrels and cisterns must be positioned to catch rooftop runoff, built watertight with sealed joints and a smooth interior, and set up to overflow safely at least ten feet from the building foundation, with buried cisterns requiring an observation riser standing at least six inches above grade.
Southfield's Rain Barrel and Cistern Standards
Some RestrictionsSouthfield City Code § 5.60-D(B), (C), (I), (K), (N)
B.Rain barrels and cisterns should be positioned to receive rooftop runoff.C.Provide for the use or release of stored water between storm events in order for the necessary stormwater storage volume to be available. ... I.The proximity to building foundations must be considered from overflow conditions. Overflow discharge must be a minimum of ten (10) feet from building foundation. ... K.Cistern...
Native Plants
In the City of Southfield, a natural lawn of native plants and wildflowers that grows past eight inches is legal only under an approved natural lawn management plan. Property owners file the plan and a $75 fee with the planning department, keep native growth five feet off the neighbor's line, and notify owners within 300 feet before the city rules on the permit.
Southfield's Managed Natural Lawn Rules
Significant RestrictionsSouthfield City Code § 9.50B
Findings: ... The city finds that the installation and maintenance of managed natural lawns is beneficial to the city's environment in that managed natural lawns improve stormwater retention, increase water quality and biodiversity, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide a habitat for birds, butterflies and other beneficial insects and species. ... The growth of a natural lawn in excess of...
Looking for Oakland County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Southfield city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Oakland County →