Warren, MI Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)

City Code Chapter 38, Article III (Sec. 38-22 through 38-24) lets Warren property owners grow planned natural landscaping instead of mowed turf. Sec. 38-23 states the city will itself strive to plant native plants, reduce mowed turf grass areas, and increase tree canopy toward a 30 percent citywide goal. Under Sec. 38-24(a), an owner may maintain a planned natural landscaping area if it is not located in a right-of-way, if it abides by property maintenance ordinances not exempted under 38-24(c) (junk and rubbish, rodent infestation, sanitation, grading and drainage, pest harborage) and by zoning corner-visibility rules, if it keeps a three-foot low growth area setback and a six-foot medium growth area buffer zone from the front lot line, and if the owner regularly maintains the area.

Sec. 38-24(b) lets the owner register the property with the director of public service or a designee; the registration application requires the registrant's name, the property address and parcel number, and a sworn affidavit of ownership. Registration automatically transfers to the next owner on a sale. Sec. 4's ban on certain weeds and plant growth. Article II's Sec. 38-25 sets the penalty for violating any provision of Chapter 38, including a noncompliant natural landscaping area, as a municipal civil infraction. The article was added by Ord. No. 4q as its state law authority.