Rochester Hills, MI Tree Protection: Heritage & Protected Trees (2026)

Division 3 of Chapter 126, Article III sets out Rochester Hills' landmark tree protections. Section 126-462 requires a tree removal permit before any landmark tree is removed, subject to the same exceptions listed in Section 126-266 for regulated trees generally, though the nominal-removal exception for three or fewer trees, the small-parcel residential exception, and the large-parcel accessory-structure exception all expressly do not reach landmark trees. Under the citywide review standards in Section 126-368(10), removal of a landmark tree is not permitted where a reasonable alternative would let the tree survive, so the reviewing authority, the Planning Commission for site-plan or plat matters or the director of Parks and Natural Resources otherwise, must weigh site design changes before approving removal.

When removal is authorized, Section 126-463 requires replacement trees equal to at least 100 percent of the removed tree's diameter at breast height, credited either tree-by-tree or on an accumulated basis, well above the 50 percent standard that applies to an ordinary specimen tree. The permit applicant supplies a tree survey identifying every landmark tree by diameter and species, and the replacement or relocation site itself needs city approval, with payment into the city tree fund as a fallback when on-site or in-city replacement is not feasible.