Landscaping Rules in Sterling Heights, MI (2026)
5 verified landscaping rules for Sterling Heights, Michigan, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Sterling Heights requires property owners to trim trees and shrubs bordering public streets to an 8-foot clearance or back to the property line, keeping branches off the road and streetlights.
Sterling Heights Street Tree Trimming Rule
Some RestrictionsSterling Heights Code of Ordinances § 51-12
The owner or person in charge or control of any lot or parcel of land within the city upon which any tree, shrub, vine or plant may be standing adjacent to any public highway shall trim or cause to be trimmed, either at the property line or to a clear height of at least eight feet above the surface of such public highway, all branches thereof which overhang any portion of such public highway or...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Anyone who removes a regulated or landmark tree under a Sterling Heights permit must replace or relocate it under a set credit schedule or pay into the Tree Preservation Fund.
Sterling Heights Tree Replacement Rules
Significant RestrictionsSterling Heights Code of Ordinances § 51-44(B)(1)
(B) Replacement required. (1) If the permit holder cannot preserve the required number of trees onsite but has elected to replant the required number of trees onsite without an arborist's assessment, the following schedule shall apply: Each replacement credit represents the amount of replacement trees necessary to meet the article's replacement requirements provided herein. The permit holder sh...
Weed Ordinances
Sterling Heights requires owners to destroy noxious weeds and grass over six inches before they go to seed; miss the deadline and the City cuts them and bills you, with a lien on the property if you don't pay.
Sterling Heights Noxious Weed Removal Rule
Some RestrictionsSterling Heights City Code § 302.4.1 (Property Maintenance Code)
The owner, agent, or occupant of (a) any subdivided land (lot) in a subdivision in which buildings have been erected on 60% of the lots, or (b) a lot or parcel adjacent to a paved street or road used or open to the public upon which noxious weeds are found growing shall destroy such noxious weeds before they reach seed bearing stage or six (6) inches in height, and prevent their regrowth, or pr...
Water Restrictions
Sterling Heights limits municipal water use for lawn and landscaping irrigation to non-peak hours, 12:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m., from Memorial Day through Labor Day, enforced under a City Manager administrative order with full ordinance force.
Sterling Heights Lawn Watering Hours
Some RestrictionsSterling Heights Code of Ordinances §§ 53-102, 53-103
NON-PEAK HOURS. The hours between 12:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. from Memorial Day through Labor Day each year. ... The City Manager shall create and implement an administrative order that shall be designed to further the City's objective of limiting use of the municipal water system for purposes of lawn and landscaping irrigation to non-peak hours.
Composting
Sterling Heights caps home compost piles at 5 feet tall and 125 cubic feet, set back 3 feet from lot lines.
Sterling Heights Compost Bin Standards
Some RestrictionsSterling Heights Code of Ordinances § 45-4
Compost piles shall be located only in a rear yard a minimum of three feet from any lot line and 15 feet from any residence located on adjacent property as depicted on Diagram A; (See diagram following § 45-4.) (2) Compost piles and compost bins shall not exceed five feet in height and 125 cubic feet in volume. On lots smaller than 12,500 square feet, the total volume of compost shall not...
Looking for Macomb County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Sterling Heights city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Macomb County →