Livonia, MI Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)

290 of the Livonia Code of Ordinances requires at least one tree planted at a central location in the parkway, the strip between the sidewalk and the curb, in front of every residential lot in a new subdivision, with a minimum spacing of 45 feet between trees. Wider lots need more: lots 85 feet or more in width need at least two trees, and lots 125 feet or more in width need three, with corner lots requiring trees planted on both street-facing sides within the parkway.

Trees and shrubs are also required in every island and boulevard area. The city's Department of Public Works, not the developer directly, purchases and plants every tree placed in a right-of-way. 50 per linear foot of the actual length of any boulevard-area islands. That deposit must be paid before the City Planning Commission gives final plat approval, or before construction begins, whichever comes first. Once collected, Tree Fund money can only be spent purchasing, replacing, planting, and maintaining trees within that subdivision's rights-of-way and islands for five years after the deposit; after five years, any surplus, along with interest earned on deposits, can be redirected to right-of-way and island tree maintenance anywhere else in the city. The City Council retains authority to raise or lower the required Tree Fund deposit by resolution for any specific plat.