Tree removal permit rules in Farmington Hills, MI — sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances — list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
A Tree Removal Permit must be obtained from the Farmington Hills Planning Office prior to all tree removal activity involving trees six (6) inches or more DBH (diameter at breast height) in accordance with City of Farmington Hills Zoning Chapter 34-5.18. The requirement applies citywide, not just to development sites. Replacement trees must have shade potential and other characteristics comparable to the trees being removed. Trees within ten (10) feet of the building envelope must be replaced when removed.
Farmington Hills regulates tree removal through Chapter 34 (Zoning), specifically Section 34-5.18 and the related Section 34-5.14, supplemented by Chapter 31 (Vegetation). The core rule: a Tree Removal Permit must be obtained from the Planning Office prior to all tree removal activity involving trees six (6) inches or more DBH. DBH means diameter at breast height. Pre-removal documentation requires a Tree Survey (minimum 1 inch = 50 feet scale) and a Superimposed Tree Survey with red paint or flag markings for verification by the Planning Office. Trees existing within ten (10) feet of the building envelope must be replaced when removed. Replacement trees must have shade potential and other characteristics comparable to the trees being removed, and must be of the same species as the removed trees where available from Michigan nurseries. Four-foot-high wooden snow fencing or other rigid material must be erected around the drip line of all trees to be saved in accordance with Chapter 34-5.18. Deciduous trees that are relocated rather than removed are limited to no more than ten-inch caliper or DBH. The permit requirement applies city-wide to all properties — including single-family residential — not just to active development sites, distinguishing Farmington Hills from many neighboring Michigan communities. The Planning Office at (248) 871-2400 issues permits and reviews replacement plans. Statutory layering: trees in regulated wetlands are also subject to the Michigan Wetlands Protection Act (MCL 324.30101 et seq.) administered by EGLE, and forest practices on commercial forest property are governed by Part 503 of NREPA (MCL 324.50301 et seq.). Farmington Hills is a Tree City USA and participates in the Michigan DNR Urban & Community Forestry program.
Removing a tree of 6 inches DBH or greater without a Tree Removal Permit is a Chapter 34 Zoning violation citable as a municipal civil infraction in 47th District Court, with replacement obligations imposed by the Planning Office. Removing a tree designated for retention on an approved development plan, or damaging a protected drip-line zone, triggers replacement orders and may result in stop-work, certificate-of-occupancy holds, and civil infraction fines. Removing or damaging a tree on City right-of-way or City-owned property without permission is enforced as injury to public property with restitution measured by ISA Trunk Formula or Replacement Cost Method appraisal. Damage to a neighbor's tree is actionable in Oakland County Circuit Court with treble damages under MCL 600.2919 for willful destruction of trees.
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