Oakland County, MI Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in Oakland County, MI, sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances, list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
Key Facts
- County-wide permit
- None: municipal only
- Charter Twp of Oakland threshold
- 6 in DBH (or conifer >20 ft)
- Bloomfield Twp threshold
- 8 in DBH (Ord. 608)
- Farmington Hills threshold
- 6 in DBH (Zoning 34-5.18)
- After-the-fact fee (Bloomfield Twp)
- $455 single-family
Summary
Oakland County does not issue a county-wide tree-removal permit for private property. Tree-removal regulation is delegated to each of the 62 cities, villages, and townships under the Michigan Township Zoning Act and Home Rule City Act. Several Oakland County jurisdictions, notably Charter Township of Oakland (Chapter 389), Bloomfield Township (Ord. 608), Farmington Hills (Chapter 31 / Zoning Chapter 34-5.18), and West Bloomfield (Chapter 23), require a tree-removal permit for any regulated tree at or above the local DBH threshold (commonly 6 to 8 inches DBH).
No person shall remove, cause to be removed, transplant or destroy, on any land in the Township to which this chapter applies, any tree having six inches or greater diameter breast height, or conifer greater than 20 feet in height, without first obtaining a tree removal permit.
Full Breakdown
In the Charter Township of Oakland, Chapter 389 of the Code prohibits removing, transplanting, or destroying any tree 6 inches DBH or larger (or conifer over 20 feet tall) without first obtaining a tree-removal permit from the Township. Tree-removal permits require a site plan showing trees proposed for removal, replacement species, and protective barriers for trees that will remain on site. Bloomfield Township (Ord. 608) regulates Protected Trees at 8 inches DBH or greater, and Farmington Hills (Zoning Ch. 34-5.18) regulates trees 6 inches DBH or greater. Property owners must always confirm with their local planning, building, or DPW office before removing significant trees. Tree work in the public road right-of-way is permitted separately by the Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC).
Violations & Fines
In Charter Township of Oakland (Ch. 389, Article V), a violation is a municipal civil infraction with civil fines as set forth in the Code's general penalty provisions. In Bloomfield Township, after-the-fact tree-removal applications for single-family residential property currently carry a $455 fee (commercial/multi-family $300), plus required replacement trees. Repeat offenders and removals of landmark/heritage trees can trigger higher penalties and stop-work orders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit from Oakland County to cut down a tree on my property?
Does cutting a tree in the road right-of-way require a permit?
Is there a state-level Michigan tree-removal law?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Oakland County
Compare Oakland County to another location·View the Michigan landscaping rules overview
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