Troy, MI Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)
Key Facts
- Overhead clearance
- 8 feet above street/right-of-way
- Corner sight-triangle shrub height
- 30 inches max within 25 ft of corner
- Enforcing office
- Director, Dept. of Parks and Recreation
- Compliance window
- 10 to 30 days per written order
- Appeal deadline
- 48 hours to City Manager
- Non-compliance remedy
- City performs work, liens cost to tax bill
Summary
Troy property owners must keep tree branches trimmed to an 8-foot clearance above any street or right-of-way abutting their land. The Director of Parks and Recreation enforces the rule under Chapter 28 of the City Code and can order corrective trimming when a tree becomes a hazard.
To trim his trees so as not to cause a hazard to public places or interfere with the proper lighting of public highways by the street lights, and so that a minimum clearance of any overhead portion thereof shall be eight (8) feet above the surface of the street or right-of-way. Said person shall remove all dead, diseased, or dangerous trees, or broken or decayed limbs which constitute a menace to the safety of the public. The City shall have the right to trim any tree or shrub on private property when it interferes with vehicular and/or pedestrian traffic in public places or the proper spread of light along the street from a street light, or interferes with visibility of any traffic control device or sign, such trimming to be confined to the area immediately above the right-of-way.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 28, Section 5(A) of the Troy Code of Ordinances places a continuing duty on "any person growing trees within the City" to trim branches so they do not create a hazard to public places or block streetlight illumination, and to keep a minimum overhead clearance of eight feet above the surface of the street or right-of-way. Owners must also remove dead, diseased, or dangerous trees and broken or decayed limbs that menace public safety. If an owner fails to keep that clearance, Section 5(A) lets the City itself trim any tree or shrub on private property that blocks vehicle or pedestrian traffic, interferes with streetlight spread, or obscures a traffic control device or sign, confining that City-initiated cut strictly to the area immediately above the right-of-way.
A related sight-triangle standard in Section 11 caps shrubs and bushes at 30 inches within 25 feet of a corner lot's intersecting right-of-way lines, and any trees kept in that triangle must have branches trimmed to the same 8-foot clearance above the roadway surface so drivers' sightlines stay open. The Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation, per Section 2, holds exclusive jurisdiction over trees in public places and can order trimming, preservation, or removal on private property whenever necessary for public safety or to stop disease from spreading to public trees.
Orders are served in person, left with someone of suitable age on the premises, mailed to the owner's last known address, posted on the door, or published weekly for three weeks under Section 14(A).
Violations & Fines
Section 14(B) requires a compliance deadline of no less than 10 days and no more than 30 days in the written order, except in cases of extreme danger to life or property, which the Director may abate immediately. A recipient has 48 hours under Section 14(C) to appeal to the City Manager, who must decide within 5 working days. If the owner still fails to comply, Section 14(D)-(E) lets the Director perform or contract the work and place the cost as a lien on the property, collected on the next tax bill.
Frequently Asked Questions
How high do I need to trim branches hanging over a Troy street?
What happens if I ignore a City order to trim my trees?
Can I appeal a trimming order from the Director?
Does the corner-lot rule affect my hedge as well as my trees?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Troy
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