Detroit's Tree Code Ch. 41 (2018) governs parkway and street-tree planting, removal, and replacement. The General Services Department (GSD) and Greening of Detroit plant most street trees free of charge, with property owners maintaining them after establishment.
Detroit's parkway (the strip between sidewalk and curb) is city right-of-way, but adjacent property owners share maintenance duties. Tree Code Ch. 41 (2018) requires a permit before any planting, pruning, or removal of street trees. The General Services Department issues permits and selects approved species suited to Detroit's climate and salt exposure. Homeowners who request a free tree through Greening of Detroit's planting program get site evaluation, species selection, and 2-year care. After establishment, owners are expected to water during droughts and report damage. Removing a healthy parkway tree without permit triggers replacement costs and fines.
Removing or topping a street tree without a permit can result in fines of $200–$1,000 per tree plus assessed replacement value, which for a mature street tree can exceed $3,000. Topping is treated as severe damage.
Detroit, MI
Detroit's Climate Strategy and Tree Code prioritize urban-forest equity, targeting 75,000 new trees by 2034 in lower-canopy neighborhoods. Mapping shows hist...
Detroit, MI
Detroit requires permits for removing trees on public property and trees within the public right-of-way. The city's General Services Department manages stree...
See how Detroit's parkway planting rules stack up against other locations.
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