Tree removal permit rules in Washtenaw County, MI — sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances — list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
You generally may remove a tree on your own private property in Ann Arbor without a city permit, but you may not remove or injure any tree in the street right-of-way or on city land without the city administrator's written permission. Development sites face extra tree rules.
Under Ann Arbor Chapter 40 section 3:12, the city administrator holds sole authority over planting, maintenance, and removal of trees in the street right-of-way and on city property, and no one may plant, remove, break, spray, or otherwise injure such a tree without written permission. Ordinary healthy trees fully on your private lot are not permit-controlled for homeowners, though landmark and woodland trees removed during development trigger the Natural Features Protection rules and canopy-loss mitigation. Washtenaw County itself does not regulate private tree removal; that is a municipal matter.
Removing or injuring a city/right-of-way tree without permission violates Ch. 40; civil fines up to $1,000 per offense plus replacement/restitution and canopy-loss fees on development sites.
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