Battle Creek, MI Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)

Section 1026.04 of the Battle Creek Codified Ordinances is the tree removal permit rule for the City of Battle Creek, Michigan. Subsection (a) gives the Director of Public Works control over all trees in curb lawns, street rights-of-way and parks, including their planting, care and removal. Subsection (b) requires citizens who want to plant, prune or remove a tree in the curb lawn or public right-of-way to apply for a permit submitted to the Department of Public Works. The application must include the applicant's name and address, the location of the tree, the species to be planted, pruned or removed, and any other information the Director requires.

Subsection (c) lets the Director condition approval on the work being done to applicable American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards and on the citizen assuming all or part of the cost. Chapter 1026 defines the "curb lawn" as the area between the street curb and sidewalk on streets with curbs and gutters, and the area between the traveled road and the dedicated public right-of-way elsewhere.

Section 1026.01(b) confines the chapter, except as otherwise stated, to public streets, curb lawns, parks and other land the City owns or controls. Within that territory several related rules apply. Section 1026.07 bars anyone from breaking, cutting down, damaging, poisoning or removing a public tree except as the chapter provides, and bars setting a fire within twenty-five feet of one. Section 1026.08 requires a written permit from the Director before placing a driveway or excavation within five feet of any public tree. Section 1026.05 lets the Department remove trees in unsafe condition, of a prohibited species or infected with injurious pests.

Private trees are touched only where they overhang a street. Section 1026.09 requires owners to remove dead, diseased or dangerous trees and limbs there, and Section 1026.10 lets the Director order measures against dangerous infestations, including pruning, spraying or destruction. The chapter's cross-reference note points to Chapter 860 of the Business Regulation and Taxation Code for tree trimming, cutting or removing.