Southfield, MI Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)

Sec. 9.41 of the City Code defines noxious weeds to include Canada thistle, dodders, several mustard species, wild carrot, bindweed, perennial sowthistle, hoary alyssum, ragweed, poison ivy, poison sumac, and, critically for any vacant or unimproved lot, all weeds of any variety found growing or standing in excess of 12 inches in height measured from the ground, plus any other plant the city council declares a nuisance by resolution. The owner of land where noxious weeds are found must destroy them before they reach a seed-bearing stage and keep them from regrowing.

The Director of Public Service can notify the owner, agent or occupant by certified mail describing eradication methods; failure to give that notice is not a defense to enforcement. If the owner refuses to act, the director enters the land, destroys the weeds, and bills the cost to the owner, with the amount becoming a lien on the property enforceable under Sec. 1.13. As an alternative to individual notice, the city can publish a March newspaper notice in a paper of general circulation warning that weeds not cut by May 1 will be cut by the city at the owner's expense, and the city may cut as many times as necessary during the season.

A parallel process in subsection (5) applies to subdivided vacant lots along improved streets after 10 days' notice. Weeds in fields growing small grain crops, on railroad property, or on government-owned land are exempt.