Do You Need a Permit to Remove a Tree?

It depends entirely on which city you are in and where the tree is standing. Here is the breakdown.

There is no single Michigan law covering tree removal on private property. It is entirely local, and the rules across Metro Detroit range from nothing at all to a permit plus replacement trees plus a fee. Here is how it actually breaks down.

The universal rule: whose tree is it?

Before anything else, figure out where the tree stands. The strip between the sidewalk and the street, called the right of way or the tree lawn, belongs to the city almost everywhere in Metro Detroit. You cannot remove those trees, and you should not pay anyone to. If a right of way tree is dead or hazardous, call the city and they will usually handle it at no charge. In Detroit that is the General Services Department at 313-628-0900.

City by city

Verify before you cut. Ordinances get amended. This table is a starting point, not legal advice. We confirm current requirements with the municipality before we quote any removal in a city with an ordinance, and we will tell you if a permit is needed.

Three exceptions that override almost everything

• Dead or hazardous trees. Nearly every ordinance has an exemption for trees that are dead, dying, or an imminent hazard. Documentation from an arborist usually satisfies it.
• Emergencies. A tree on your house at 2am does not require a permit first. Photograph everything.
• Utility clearance. DTE has authority to clear vegetation around its lines regardless of local ordinance.

What about my neighbor's tree?

Michigan follows the general rule that you may trim branches and roots that cross onto your property, up to the property line, at your own expense, as long as you do not kill the tree. You cannot cross the line to cut, and if you damage or kill the tree you can be liable. Talk to your neighbor first. It is cheaper than a lawyer.