Farmington Hills, MI Tree Protection: Tree Replacement Requirements (2026)

Farmington Hills' tree-replacement framework sits within Chapter 34-5.18 of the Zoning Ordinance and is administered by the Planning Office. The core duties: (1) Trees within 10 feet of the building envelope must be replaced when removed; (2) Replacement trees must have shade potential and other characteristics comparable to the trees being removed; (3) Replacement trees must be of the same species as the removed trees where the species is available from Michigan nurseries — a 'native sourcing where feasible' rule that supports Michigan's urban-forestry diversity. The species-match requirement is significant: it pushes property owners and developers to source from established Michigan tree nurseries and to plant species suited to southeast Michigan's climate and soils, supporting Farmington Hills' Tree City USA status. The 10-foot-from-building-envelope rule means trees in close proximity to construction footprints — even when removal is necessary for the project — carry replacement obligations rather than simple removal. Tree relocation is treated as an alternative to removal, with deciduous trees capped at ten-inch caliper or DBH for transplant feasibility. Four-foot wooden snow fencing or other rigid material must be installed around the drip line of all trees designated for preservation, and damage to the drip-line zone triggers replacement orders even if the tree is not formally felled. The Tree Protection Ordinance Affidavit (January 30, 2019) is a required pre-construction submittal. Right-of-way and City-owned tree removals authorized through the Planning Office and Department of Public Services typically include replacement under the City's street-tree planting standards. Trees in regulated wetlands are subject to Michigan Wetlands Protection Act (MCL 324.30101) restoration standards administered by EGLE in addition to local replacement rules. The Rouge River corridor's Alliance of Rouge Communities watershed plan supports replacement-tree planting as a stormwater best-management practice.