9 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Macomb County, Michigan.
Verified from official government sources
Macomb County government sets no residential grass-height limit. In Michigan, tall-grass and lawn-maintenance rules are set and enforced by your city, village, or township (charter or general-law township) through local property-maintenance or blight ordinances, not by the County.
Macomb County government does not regulate trimming of trees on private residential property. Pruning rules, if any, are set by your city, village, or township. County-managed street trees, park trees, and drain rights-of-way are the only trees the County maintains directly.
Macomb County government does not require a permit to remove a tree on private residential land. Tree-removal ordinances, where they exist, are enacted by individual cities, villages, and townships. The County's only related control is soil-erosion permitting when stump removal is part of a regulated land disturbance.
Weed abatement in Michigan is a township/city/village power, not a county one. Under the state Noxious Weeds Act (MCL 247.61 et seq.), a municipality (not Macomb County) may appoint a weed commissioner, order owners to destroy listed weeds, abate them, and place a lien for the cost on the land.
MCL 247.64(1), Noxious Weeds Act 359 of 1941
If the owner, agent, or occupant refuses to destroy the noxious weeds, the commissioner shall enter upon the land and destroy the noxious weeds. Expenses incurred in the destruction shall be paid by the owner of the land, and the township, city, or village of which the commissioner is an officer shall have a lien against the land.
Macomb County government does not run a countywide watering or drought-restriction program. Drinking water is supplied wholesale by the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) and delivered by local municipal systems, so any lawn-watering or sprinkling limits come from your city, village, or township, not the County.
Macomb County government does not restrict residential rainwater harvesting. Michigan has no statewide ban on rain barrels or cisterns, and the County encourages rain gardens and rain barrels for stormwater management through Public Works and MSU Extension. Any plumbing rules come from state code and your municipality.
Macomb County government does not restrict planting native species, and Michigan's noxious-weed law expressly protects milkweed. The County and MSU Extension promote native and pollinator plantings; any 'tidy yard' limits on naturalized landscaping come from your city, village, or township, not the County.
MCL 247.62(2), Noxious Weeds Act 359 of 1941 (as amended 2024)
Noxious weeds does not include milkweed (any species of the genus Asclepias).
Macomb County government does not regulate artificial turf on residential property. Whether synthetic lawn is allowed, and any setback, drainage, or coverage limits, is decided by your city, village, or township zoning and property-maintenance code, not by the County.
Macomb County government does not regulate backyard composting. Michigan law encourages composting as an alternative to landfilling yard waste, and nuisance limits on odor, rodents, or bin placement are set by your city, village, or township, not by the County.
2 cities in Macomb County have their own landscaping rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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