Oakland County, MI Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Authority
- MCL 247.61-247.72
- Notice Period
- 10 days written
- State Fine
- Up to $100
- Lien Authority
- MCL 247.65 - tax roll
Summary
Noxious weed control in Oakland County is governed by Michigan's Noxious Weeds Act (Act 359 of 1941, MCL 247.61-247.72). Each city, village, and township appoints a Commissioner of Noxious Weeds with authority to inspect properties, order destruction of listed weeds, and abate at owner's cost. Listed weeds include Canada thistle, giant hogweed, poison ivy, ragweed, and others.
'Noxious weeds' includes Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), dodders (any species of Cuscuta), mustards (charlock, black mustard, and Indian mustard, being Brassica kaber, Brassica nigra, and Brassica juncea), wild carrot (Daucus carota), bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), perennial sowthistle (Sonchus arvensis), hoary alyssum (Berteroa incana), giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum), ragweed (Ambrosia spp.), poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans), and poison sumac (Toxicodendron vernix), and any other plant which in the opinion of the governing body of any city, village, or township and the commissioner of agriculture is regarded as a common nuisance. Noxious weeds does not include milkweed (any species of the genus Asclepias).
Full Breakdown
MCL 247.62 defines 'noxious weeds' as Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), dodders (any species of Cuscuta), mustards (charlock, black mustard, and Indian mustard - Brassica spp. and Sinapis arvensis), wild carrot (Daucus carota), bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), perennial sowthistle (Sonchus arvensis), hoary alyssum (Berteroa incana), giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum), ragweed (Ambrosia spp.), poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans), and poison sumac (Toxicodendron vernix). Milkweed (Asclepias spp.) is specifically excluded to support monarch habitat. MCL 247.64 requires landowners to destroy noxious weeds before they reach seed-bearing stage. MCL 247.65 authorizes the Commissioner of Noxious Weeds, after 10 days' written notice, to enter the land and cause destruction, with the cost recovered as a tax assessment or lien. Oakland County's Cooperative Extension (Michigan State University Extension) provides identification assistance, especially for giant hogweed and Japanese knotweed.
Violations & Fines
MCL 247.66 imposes a fine of up to $100 for failure to destroy noxious weeds after notice. Most Oakland County municipalities supplement this with municipal civil infraction tickets ($50-$500), plus the actual cost of contractor cutting (typically $150-$400 per visit) added to the property tax bill as a special assessment lien.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is poison ivy actually a noxious weed I have to remove?
What about giant hogweed - that's dangerous, right?
Can my municipality come onto my property to cut weeds?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Oakland County
How Oakland County compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·Compare Oakland County to another location·View the Michigan landscaping rules overview
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