Farmington Hills, MI Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)

Sec. 17-27(a) applies within 100 feet of a platted subdivision or single-family residential condominium, inside such a subdivision or condominium, or within 100 feet of any major road: owners must keep noxious vegetation and long grass to a maximum of 8 inches above ground level, or shorter if that is the height that stops flowering, whichever is less. Sec. 62, plus all wild grass and weeds over 8 inches. Sec. 17-27(b) exempts fields lawfully growing small grain crops like wheat, oats, barley or rye, landscaped areas specifically approved by planning and community development, and areas next to designated natural beauty roads.

Under Sec. 17-28, the city manager or a designee must send certified mail notice to the owner before enforcing, and Sec. 17-29 gives the owner 10 days after that notice to cut the growth; if it is not cut, the city can enter the land, cut it with city equipment, and place a lien on the property for the cost, enforced the same way as a tax lien. Sec. 17-30 lets the city instead publish an annual March newspaper notice setting a June 1 cutting deadline city-wide in lieu of individual mailed notices.

Sec. 17-31 layers a civil fine of up to $500 and up to 90 days in the county jail, plus the city's actual attorney fees, on top of the cutting costs for any owner found guilty of refusing to comply.