Oakland County does not issue a county-wide tree-removal permit for private property. Tree-removal regulation is delegated to each of the 62 cities, villages, and townships under the Michigan Township Zoning Act and Home Rule City Act. Several Oakland County jurisdictions — notably Charter Township of Oakland (Chapter 389), Bloomfield Township (Ord. 608), Farmington Hills (Chapter 31 / Zoning Chapter 34-5.18), and West Bloomfield (Chapter 23) — require a tree-removal permit for any regulated tree at or above the local DBH threshold (commonly 6 to 8 inches DBH).
In the Charter Township of Oakland, Chapter 389 of the Code prohibits removing, transplanting, or destroying any tree 6 inches DBH or larger (or conifer over 20 feet tall) without first obtaining a tree-removal permit from the Township. Tree-removal permits require a site plan showing trees proposed for removal, replacement species, and protective barriers for trees that will remain on site. Bloomfield Township (Ord. 608) regulates Protected Trees at 8 inches DBH or greater, and Farmington Hills (Zoning Ch. 34-5.18) regulates trees 6 inches DBH or greater. Property owners must always confirm with their local planning, building, or DPW office before removing significant trees. Tree work in the public road right-of-way is permitted separately by the Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC).
In Charter Township of Oakland (Ch. 389, Article V), a violation is a municipal civil infraction with civil fines as set forth in the Code's general penalty provisions. In Bloomfield Township, after-the-fact tree-removal applications for single-family residential property currently carry a $455 fee (commercial/multi-family $300), plus required replacement trees. Repeat offenders and removals of landmark/heritage trees can trigger higher penalties and stop-work orders.
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