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

Routine pruning of healthy trees on private residential property is not subject to a Farmington Hills permit. Trees in the public right-of-way are maintained by the Department of Public Services, and trees on City-owned land (parks, municipal facilities) are similarly managed by DPS in cooperation with the Planning & Community Development Department, which administers Chapter 34-5.18 (Zoning) and Chapter 31 (Vegetation). Pruning, removing, or damaging a tree planted in City right-of-way or on City property without permission is prohibited. Michigan common law follows the Massachusetts (self-help) rule for overhanging branches: an adjoining landowner may trim branches and encroaching roots back to the property line at their own expense, provided they do not trespass and do not kill the tree. Utility line-clearance pruning is performed by DTE Energy and Consumers Energy under their easement rights and Michigan Public Service Commission tariff authority. Farmington Hills' status as a Tree City USA is administered through the Arbor Day Foundation's four-standard program (tree board or department, tree-care ordinance, $2-per-capita urban forestry expenditure, annual Arbor Day observance), coordinated with the Michigan DNR Urban & Community Forestry program. The Rouge River watershed runs through Farmington Hills, and trees adjacent to the river and its tributaries play a designated water-quality role in the Alliance of Rouge Communities' watershed management plan; pruning of such trees should be coordinated with DPS where the activity is within designated floodplain or wetland buffers under the Michigan Wetlands Protection Act (MCL 324.30101).