Southfield, MI Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)

Southfield City Code Sec. 9.41 defines noxious weeds to include Canada thistle, dodders, mustards, wild carrot, bindweed, perennial sowthistle, hoary alyssum, ragweed and poison ivy and poison sumac by name, and then sweeps in all weeds of any variety found growing or standing in excess of 12 inches in height measured from the ground, plus any plant the city council declares a nuisance by resolution. Subsection (2) requires the landowner to destroy the weeds before they reach a seed-bearing stage and to prevent regrowth or a detriment to public health.

Under subsection (3), the Director of the Department of Public Service may notify the owner, agent or occupant by certified mail describing eradication methods; if the notified party refuses to act, the director's staff can enter the land, destroy the weeds, and charge the cost back to the owner as a lien enforced under Sec. 1.13. Subsection (4) lets the city instead publish a March newspaper notice that uncut weeds after May 1 will be cut at the owner's expense, and the city can cut as many times as necessary.

Subsection (6) exempts fields growing small grain crops such as wheat, oats, barley or rye, railroad property, and land owned by a government instrumentality. Sec. 9.41 is designated a municipal civil infraction under Sec. 1.704.