Tree Protection in Southfield, MI (2026)
2 verified tree protection rules for Southfield, Michigan, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Heritage & Protected Trees
The City of Southfield designates certain trees as landmark trees under City Code § 5.56(13): any tree twenty-four inches D.B.H. or larger citywide, plus a schedule of smaller species-specific thresholds (a red maple at eighteen inches, a dogwood at eight), provided the tree also scores sixteen or higher on the city's health scale. Removing a landmark tree always needs a city tree permit, and the permit holder must replace at least thirty percent of the removed tree's diameter.
Southfield's Landmark Tree Protections
Significant RestrictionsSouthfield City Code § 5.56(13)
(13)Landmark trees. All trees within the city of twenty-four (24) inches D.B.H. or greater and all trees listed below by genus and/or species and minimum size D.B.H. shall be considered landmark trees if they also meet the health/condition criteria of subparagraph (b) below:(a)[Landmark trees:] Common Name Botanical Name Size D.B.H. ... Maple, Red Acer Rubrum 18" ... (b)In order to be considere...
Parkway Planting
In Southfield, trees planted in the parkway strip between the sidewalk and curb must sit at least 40 feet apart, at least 3 feet from the curb or sidewalk, and be at least 1½ inches in diameter. A written permit from the superintendent of parks and recreation is required before anyone plants there.
Southfield Parkway Tree Spacing Rules
Some RestrictionsSouthfield City Code § 3.25
There shall be a minimum distance of forty (40) feet between trees planted in the parkway. No tree shall be planted in the parkway between the sidewalk and the curb less than three (3) feet from the curb or sidewalk lines. However, where the parkway is less than six (6) feet but not less than four (4) feet in width, a tree may be planted midway between the curb and the sidewalk. Any exceptions ...
Looking for Oakland County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Southfield city rules.
Tree Protection in Oakland County →