Landscaping Rules in Troy, MI (2026)
6 verified landscaping rules for Troy, Michigan, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Troy property owners must keep tree branches trimmed to an 8-foot clearance above any street or right-of-way abutting their land. The Director of Parks and Recreation enforces the rule under Chapter 28 of the City Code and can order corrective trimming when a tree becomes a hazard.
Troy: Trim Trees to 8-Foot Street Clearance
Some RestrictionsTroy Code of Ordinances, Ch. 28 (Tree Regulations), § 5(A)
To trim his trees so as not to cause a hazard to public places or interfere with the proper lighting of public highways by the street lights, and so that a minimum clearance of any overhead portion thereof shall be eight (8) feet above the surface of the street or right-of-way. Said person shall remove all dead, diseased, or dangerous trees, or broken or decayed limbs which constitute a menace ...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Troy's Tree Regulations chapter bars anyone from trimming, spraying or removing a tree in a public place, street right-of-way or park without a permit from the Parks and Recreation Director. On private parcels awaiting development, clearing more than 25 percent of a lot's trees in five years also needs the Director's prior approval.
Troy Permit Required to Remove Public Trees
Significant RestrictionsTroy City Code, Chapter 28 (Tree Regulations), § 3(A) and § 5(D)
3. Permits for Tree Planting, Care, Removal. (A) Preserve or Remove. No person shall trim, spray, preserve or remove trees, other plants and grassy areas in public places without first filing an application and procuring a permit from the Director. ... (D) Tree Protection Prior to Development. To prevent the unnecessary destruction of trees on land where a building permit or subdivision approva...
Weed Ordinances
Troy declares turf grass or weeds over eight inches tall a nuisance on any premises and requires owners to cut it back between May 1 and November 1 each year. Owners who fail to abate face a municipal civil infraction and a City mowing bill with a 10 percent administration charge.
Troy 8-Inch Grass and Weed Limit
Some RestrictionsCity of Troy Code of Ordinances, Chapter 82, Sec. 302.4.1
302.4.1 Weeds and Grass. The presence of turf grass and/or weeds exceeding eight (8) inches in height on any premises in the City is hereby declared to be a nuisance. The owner, occupant, or any person having control or management of any premises is required to cut turf grass and weeds on the premises to a height that is eight (8) inches or less.
Water Restrictions
Troy Code Chapter 18, Section 12.01 limits automatic sprinkler systems to the non-peak hours of 11pm to 5am. Manual, attended irrigation not tied to an underground system can run any time, and violations are a municipal civil infraction under Chapter 100.
Troy Outdoor Watering Hours Rule
Some RestrictionsTroy, MI City Code Ch. 18, § 12.01
A. For those properties in the City of Troy that are serviced by an underground irrigation system, outdoor watering, including the sprinkling of lawns and landscaping, shall be only done during the non-peak hours of 11pm to 5am. B. A water user may manually irrigate landscaping at any time, provided the irrigation is not connected to an underground system, and is attended and monitored by the ...
Native Plants
Troy's landscape ordinance requires at least fifty percent of a development's required plantings to be native species, and Section 13.02.A.7 lets developers choose those species based on what already grows on-site and use looser 'natural' planting arrangements in open space and stormwater areas.
Troy Native Plant Landscaping Requirements
Some RestrictionsTroy Zoning Ordinance §§ 13.02.A.2.b, 13.02.A.7
b. ... native species of trees and shrubs shall constitute at least fifty percent (50%) of the total proposed plantings in accordance with the standards set forth in Section 13.02.A.7. ... 7. Use of Native Plants in Landscaping. a. Native plant species chosen for a development shall be based on the native species currently growing on the site, if any. ... c. Natural arrangements emulate the arr...
Composting
Troy lets residents compost yard waste at home under City Code Chapter 16, Section 2.19, so long as bins stay small, screened and away from lot lines. No meat, dairy, fats, cooked food or plastics may go in the pile, and each parcel is capped at three bins.
Troy Backyard Composting Bin Rules
Some RestrictionsTroy, MI City Code Ch. 16, § 2.19
2.19 Composting. The restrictions of Chapter 39, Section 39.90.03; Chapter 88, Section 9.13; Chapter 48, Section 6.101(5), and Section 6.107 shall not be deemed to prohibit composting on private property. The construction and maintenance of yard waste composting bins/piles shall be permitted subject to the following conditions: (2) The contents of compost bins/piles shall not include meats, ...
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