Landscaping Rules in Warren, MI (2026)
6 verified landscaping rules for Warren, Michigan, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Warren bars anyone but the city from performing maintenance, including trimming, on a public tree unless an exception applies, and it requires any utility company to get an annual permit from the engineering division before removing, trimming, or otherwise altering a public tree or shrub. Utility trimming must meet ANSI A300 industry standards, and storm-damage or hazard trimming by a licensed contractor must be reported to the city within two business days.
Warren Utility Tree-Trimming Permit Requirement
Significant RestrictionsWarren, MI City Code §§ 38-14, 38-17, 38-18
Except as provided in section 38-15, a person shall not perform maintenance on a public tree. ... A utility company shall obtain an annual permit before removing, trimming, or otherwise altering a public tree or public shrub. ... The utility company has a duty to ensure: (1) the work performed under the permit complies with all industry standards, including the ANSI A300 standards; (2) it provi...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Removing a public tree or shrub in Warren requires a permit from the department of public service under Section 38-11, whether the person doing the removal is a resident, contractor, or utility company. Before the city removes a tree itself, or lets a utility remove one under its annual permit, an inspector must physically walk the site and apply the urban forestry committee's written removal standards.
Warren Public Tree Removal Permit Rule
Some RestrictionsWarren, MI City Code § 38-11
(a)A person shall not remove a public tree or public shrub without a permit issued by the department of public service or its designated division or department.(b)Before the city removes a public tree or permits a utility company to remove a public tree under an annual permit, the department of public service or its designated division or department shall conduct an in-person inspection of the ...
Weed Ordinances
Warren defines unlawful overgrowth as grass exceeding six inches under Sec. 21-47 and bans it on any premises under Sec. 21-48; the city abates uncut lots after May 1 each year and bills the responsible party.
Warren 6-Inch Grass and Weed Height Limit
Some RestrictionsCity of Warren Code of Ordinances Secs. 21-47, 21-48
Overgrowth means grass over six (6) inches or plants that encroach on public easements or cause public safety concerns. "Overgrowth" does not include planned natural landscape areas. ... Responsible parties shall not cause or allow the growth or accumulation of noxious weeds and/or rubbish on the premises.
Native Plants
Warren lets property owners maintain a planned natural landscaping area of native plants under City Code Sec. 38-24, exempting it from the six-inch weed and grass height ban if the owner keeps a setback from the front lot line and registers with the department of public service.
Warren Planned Natural Landscaping Area Rules
Some RestrictionsWarren, MI Code of Ordinances § 38-24
Property owners may maintain a planned natural landscaping area, if the property owner complies with all of the following:(1)Does not have a planned natural landscaping area in a right-of-way;(2)Abides by applicable laws and ordinances not listed in section 38-24(c)...;(3)Maintains a three-foot low growth area setback and a six-foot medium growth area buffer zone from the front lot line; and(4)...
Artificial Turf
Warren's zoning code requires the strip of land between a homeowner's lot line or sidewalk and the street curb to stay covered in grass, sod, or artificial turf rather than bare dirt, gravel, or loose stone. Commercial and industrial parcels get a narrow concrete allowance next to the curb, but everyone must keep decorative rock confined to small curbed planters.
Warren Requires Grass, Sod or Artificial Turf
Some RestrictionsWarren Code of Ordinances, Appendix A (Zoning), § 4.41
Said area between the lot line or sidewalk and the curb of the street or traveled portion of the highway shall be maintained with grass, sod or artificial turf in all residential areas. This same area if in commercial or industrial zones or abutting property used in such a manner, on paved streets shall be maintained with grass, sod or artificial turf, except that a strip of concrete not to exc...
Composting
Warren lets residents compost leaves and yard waste at home for mulch or gardening with no bin standard, but curbside compost pickup requires clear bags weighing no more than 40 pounds. City Code Section 16-9 sets the bag standard; uncontained or opaque bags of compost material are left uncollected.
Warren Residential Compost Collection Rules
Light RestrictionsWarren City Code § 16-9
(a)Compost material bags shall be clear in order to indicate to compost material collectors that the bags are intended for residential compost collection service.(b)Specifications for city compost material bags and their use and any future changes to those specifications shall be developed in accordance with this ordinance. These specifications shall include, but shall not be limited to, the ma...
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