Royal Oak Township, MI Invasive Plant Rules: Prohibited Species (2026)

Chapter 8, Article III of the Royal Oak Charter Township Code is titled Weed Control. Section 8-50 defines poisonous or injurious weeds as those species and varieties of Canada thistle, dodders, mustards, wild carrot, bindweed, perennial sowthistle, hoary alyssum, ragweed, poison ivy and poison sumac, as designated by the State Noxious Weed Act, Public Act No. 359 of 1941 (MCL 247.61 et seq.). That ten-plant list is the Township's own prohibited-species list. Other plants are reached only through the separate height rule in § 8-51.

Section 8-51 makes it unlawful for any owner, occupant, agent or person having control or management of any land, either public or private, within the township, to allow the presence of those weeds on the land or any portion of it. The duty is not limited to the titleholder: a tenant or a property manager in control of the parcel is covered by the same words.

Enforcement runs through § 8-52. The Township Code Officer mails a written notice to the last known address of the owner, occupant, agent or person in control, directing abatement of the violations within seven days. If the notice is ignored, the Township Code Officer may assign Township employees or contractors to enter the land and destroy the weeds by spraying, cutting or other methods, taking care not to damage the property or adjacent sidewalks. The expense, if not paid to the Township within 60 days from the date a statement was forwarded, is reported to the Township Board of Assessors, which assesses the amount against the land. Section 8-52 also provides that a failure to give the written notice is not a defense to an action to enforce the article.