Farmington Hills, MI Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)

City Code § 31-17 authorizes the city manager to grant permission to public utilities to trim and keep trimmed trees within the city's streets, alleys, parks and public places so their overhead lines stay safe and accessible. The trimming itself must follow approved practices and proceed under the general direction of the department of public services. Before starting work under that permission, the utility must give the city reasonable prior notice; that requirement is waived only for a true emergency, which the section defines as an event that could not have been foreseen through reasonable care and foresight and that might damage the utility's overhead lines.

This provision sits alongside the broader tree-protection rule at § 31-7, which bars anyone from breaking, injuring, mutilating, killing or destroying any tree or shrub in the city, or letting electric wires or other lines contact a tree in a way that could damage it, and requires anyone whose facilities interfere with trimming or removal of a tree to clear that interference once the department gives notice. Both sections apply to trees on public streets, parkways, parks and city-controlled land under § 31-1(b); trimming purely on private property away from city rights-of-way is not reached by this utility-line permit itself.