Royal Oak Township, MI Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)

Section 8-51 of the Royal Oak Charter Township Code, in Chapter 8, Article III (Weed Control), sets the height rule. It is unlawful for any owner, occupant, agent or person having control or management of any land, either public or private, within the township, to allow the presence of other weeds or any species or variety exceeding eight inches in height, or wild growing brush or underbrush exceeding eight inches in height. The rule is written for any land, so it reaches a lawn at a occupied house, a commercial lot and a parcel with no building in the same words. Poisonous or injurious weeds named in § 8-50 are barred outright by a separate paragraph, without regard to height.

The process in § 8-52 is notice first. The Township Code Officer mails a written notice to the last known address of the owner, occupant, agent or person in control, directing the violations to be abated within seven days. Failure, neglect or refusal to abate within that time lets the Township Code Officer assign Township employees or contractors to enter the land and destroy the weeds or growth by spraying, cutting or other methods, so as not to damage the property or any adjacent sidewalks.

The cost follows the land. If the expense is not paid to the Township within 60 days from the date a statement was forwarded to the owner, occupant, agent or person in control, it is reported to the Township Board of Assessors, which assesses the amount against the land in question. The section closes by stating that any failure to give the written notice is not a defense to an action to enforce the article, so a notice that never arrived does not wipe out the violation.