Tree Removal Permits in Troy, MI

Verified against Troy city sources · last checked 2026-08-06

Do you need a permit?

It depends on the tree

Troy has no ordinary tree removal permit, but it does have one rule a homeowner can trip over. Chapter 28 states its own reach: its provisions "shall apply only to public streets, parkways, parks, and other land publicly owned or controlled by the City or to such land privately owned when such land comes within the purview of this chapter because of the maintenance or continuation of a hazard injurious to the public in general." Then Section 5(D) adds a percentage cap that has nothing to do with trunk size: on land where a building permit or subdivision approval has not been issued, "the destruction within any five (5) year period, of more than twenty-five (25) percent of the trees on any parcel of real property within the City, without prior approval of the director shall be prohibited." On a lot with four trees, taking two crosses that line. The zoning ordinance protects landmark trees and woodlands, but only where site plan review is required, and Troy exempts one- and two-family dwellings from site plan review by name.

Size threshold

Chapter 28 sets no diameter threshold; its cap is a percentage, 25 percent of the trees on the parcel in any five years. The zoning ordinance sets diameters, but only on parcels subject to site plan review. Section 13.07.C defines a Landmark Tree as "Any healthy tree with a DBH 24" or greater, (except invasive species), or a healthy tree of the species described above with the minimum DBH listed" — the species table runs 18 inches for basswood, American beech, black cherry, black walnut, Ohio buckeye, Douglas fir, fir, Kentucky coffeetree, London planetree or American sycamore, all pines, spruce and tulip poplar; 16 inches for hickory, honey locust, red maple, sugar maple and all oaks; 12 inches for arborvitae, bald cypress, birch, black tupelo, flowering cherry, crabapple or hawthorn and dawn redwood; and 8 inches for redbud and serviceberry. A Woodland is "one-quarter (1/4) acre or more of contiguously wooded land where the largest trees measure at least six (6) inches in diameter at breast height (DBH)."

What's protected in Troy

Trees on public streets, parkways, parks and other publicly owned or controlled land, under Chapter 28.
More than 25 percent of the trees on a parcel in five years, on land where no building permit or subdivision approval has issued. Chapter 28 Section 5(D) prohibits that "without prior approval of the director."
Landmark Trees, on parcels subject to site plan review — the species and DBH table above, plus any healthy tree of 24 inches DBH or greater other than an invasive species.
Woodlands, on parcels subject to site plan review — "one-quarter (1/4) acre or more of contiguously wooded land where the largest trees measure at least six (6) inches in diameter at breast height (DBH). The acreage is to be measured from the dripline to dripline of trees on the perimeter."
Any tree within five feet of an excavation or driveway. Chapter 28 Section 8: "Excavations and driveways shall not be placed within five (5) feet of any existing tree without a written permit from the Director."

Fees, penalties, and the ordinance

Fee: No fee is published for the Chapter 28 director's approval, and no tree removal permit appears in the city fee schedule. The 2026-27 City Fee Schedule does carry a heading "STREET AND TREE FEES" listing tree amounts of 800, 700, 600, 500 and 400 dollars against zoning districts R-1A through R-1E, paired with street amounts of 126, 105, 89, 79 and 63 dollars. Those read as per-lot street tree and street improvement charges tied to new residential construction rather than to removal, and the row labels do not line up cleanly with the figures in the published PDF. Confirm with the Building Department before assuming any of it applies to you.
Penalties: Zoning Section 3.08: "any person, firm, or corporation violating the provisions of this Chapter is responsible for committing a Municipal Civil Infraction and subject to the provisions of Chapter 100 of the City of Troy's Code of Ordinances," and "A separate offense shall be deemed committed upon each day during or when a violation occurs or continues." Chapter 100 caps costs at "not more than $500" and provides for "imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 90 days or by a fine of not more than $500, or both." Chapter 28 Section 14 adds cost recovery: if you do not comply with an order to trim or remove, "the director shall remedy the conditions or contract with others for such purpose and charge the costs thereof," and unpaid costs "shall thereupon become a lien upon such property, and shall be included in the next tax bill."
Ordinance: City of Troy Code of Ordinances Chapter 28 — Tree Regulations, Sections 1 through 18. The chapter carries revision dates of 2-28-77, 3-26-79 and 6-5-89; Section 5(D), the 25 percent cap, is from the 6-5-89 revision. Troy publishes its code as per-chapter PDFs rather than through a codifier. Separately, the City of Troy Zoning Ordinance, Section 13.07 (Woodland Protection) and Section 8.02 (Site Plan Required), in the consolidated text published August 5, 2026. Section 1.07 of that ordinance repeals "The City of Troy Zoning Ordinance, and all amendments thereto, and all prior zoning ordinances of the City of Troy... effective coincident with the effective date of this Ordinance," so the current zoning text is a full replacement rather than an amendment.

Worth knowing

The city can order you to cut, and that is the commonest way a Troy homeowner hears from the city. Chapter 28 Section 5(A): "Said person shall remove all dead, diseased, or dangerous trees, or broken or decayed limbs which constitute a menace to the safety of the public," with a minimum eight feet of clearance over the street or right-of-way. Section 12 covers infestations and Section 13 covers Dutch elm disease. Compliance time under Section 14(B) is "in no case... less than ten (10) days, except in case of extreme danger, nor more than thirty (30) days."
You have 48 hours to appeal an order. Section 14(C): a person to whom an order is directed "shall have the right, within forty-eight (48) hours of service of such order, to appeal to the City Manager of the City of Troy who shall review such order within five (5) working days."
Troy bans planting ten species outright, on private property. Chapter 28 Section 5(C) requires owners "To refrain from planting any of the following species": silver maple, box elder, tree of heaven, European barberry, northern catalpa, eastern red cedar, poplar, willow, American elm and Chinese elm. The zoning ordinance keeps a longer prohibited list at Table 13.02-D for new landscaping.
One- and two-family homes are outside site plan review, which is what switches off the woodland rules. Zoning Section 8.02.B: "Erection, moving, relocation, conversion, or structural alterations to a one- or two-family dwelling on an individual lot, and its accessory use(s) or structure(s), are exempt from the full site plan review process."
The woodland replacement rules also exempt houses explicitly. Section 13.07.G lists as exempt "Parcels of land that are not subject to site plan review," along with essential service work, "Tree clearing within an existing public road right-of-way or an existing private road easement," any tree shown to have "a health and condition standard factor of less than 50 percent based upon the standards established by the International Society of Arboriculture," invasive species, and "Removal of trees that have become a potential danger to human life or property."
Where the woodland rules do apply, mitigation is on-site planting, not money. Woodland trees of 6 inches DBH or larger are replaced at "a minimum of fifty percent (50%) of the original DBH removed," and Landmark Trees at "a minimum of one hundred percent (100%) of the original DBH of the tree(s) removed." A search of the current zoning ordinance found no fee in lieu, no tree fund and no tree bank — which is notable given that the Sixth Circuit struck down a neighbouring Michigan township's fee in lieu in F.P. Development v. Charter Township of Canton in 2021.
Corner lots have a sight-line rule. Section 11 caps shrubs and bushes at 30 inches within 25 feet of an intersection of right-of-way lines, and requires trees there to be trimmed to eight feet of clear vision above the roadway.
The lawn extension between sidewalk and street is yours to maintain but not to damage. Section 16: "the abutting owner or occupants may maintain a planting strip on the lawn extension between the sidewalk and the street," but "No person shall willfully injure or destroy any grass, flower or tree upon any such planting strip."

What we could not confirm

We would rather tell you what we don't know than guess. Call the office below to confirm these before you cut.

— How Troy applies the Section 5(D) 25 percent cap to an established house lot. The text limits it to "land where a building permit or subdivision approval has not been issued," and every developed lot in Troy had a building permit issued at some point, so the clause is capable of two readings: that it lapses once a house is built, or that it applies until a new permit issues. The city publishes nothing resolving it. If you are taking several trees at once, call before you cut.
— What form the "prior approval of the director" under Section 5(D) takes, and whether any application exists. None is published.
— Whether the Director of Parks and Recreation named throughout Chapter 28 is still the responsible officer. Troy's Public Works Department now lists "Facilities and Grounds (Park Maintenance)" among its service areas, and the code has not been updated to match.
— The last time Chapter 28 was amended. The printed revision notes stop at 6-5-89 and Troy publishes no supplement or codification date on the chapter PDFs, so it is not possible to confirm from the published text whether anything has changed since — including in response to F.P. Development v. Canton Township.
— Whether the "STREET AND TREE FEES" block in the 2026-27 City Fee Schedule applies to anything a homeowner removing a tree would do. The row labels and dollar figures are offset in the published PDF and no explanatory note accompanies them.
— Whether the Historic District Commission under Chapter 13 reviews tree removal on a designated property. The chapter was not read in full.
— Whether pulling stumps or clearing triggers Chapter 80 (Soil Removal and Fill) or Chapter 86 (Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control). Both exist and neither was read against the routine residential case.

Sources

Who to contact in Troy

Chapter 28 assigns authority to the Director of Parks and Recreation; park maintenance now sits in the Department of Public Works, and the zoning tree rules are administered by the Planning Department.

248-524-3484 (Parks and Recreation); 248-524-3392 (Public Works, Streets and Drains); 248-524-3364 (Planning); 248-524-3300 (City Hall) Planning@troymi.gov; PublicWorksShared@troymi.gov Official page

Troy City Hall, 500 W. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, MI 48084. Public Works is at 4693 Rochester Road, Troy, MI 48085.

Cost Calculators

Find Tree Services

Browse tree trimming and removal companies in Troy.

View tree services

Related Permits

Get weekly cost & permit updates

Join homeowners who get free insights on project costs, permit changes, and money-saving tips. No spam — unsubscribe anytime.

Free forever. No credit card. Unsubscribe in one click.

Size threshold

What's protected in Troy

Trees on public streets, parkways, parks and other publicly owned or controlled land, under Chapter 28.

More than 25 percent of the trees on a parcel in five years, on land where no building permit or subdivision approval has issued. Chapter 28 Section 5(D) prohibits that "without prior approval of the director."

Landmark Trees, on parcels subject to site plan review — the species and DBH table above, plus any healthy tree of 24 inches DBH or greater other than an invasive species.

Woodlands, on parcels subject to site plan review — "one-quarter (1/4) acre or more of contiguously wooded land where the largest trees measure at least six (6) inches in diameter at breast height (DBH). The acreage is to be measured from the dripline to dripline of trees on the perimeter."

Any tree within five feet of an excavation or driveway. Chapter 28 Section 8: "Excavations and driveways shall not be placed within five (5) feet of any existing tree without a written permit from the Director."

Fees, penalties, and the ordinance

Fee

No fee is published for the Chapter 28 director's approval, and no tree removal permit appears in the city fee schedule. The 2026-27 City Fee Schedule does carry a heading "STREET AND TREE FEES" listing tree amounts of 800, 700, 600, 500 and 400 dollars against zoning districts R-1A through R-1E, paired with street amounts of 126, 105, 89, 79 and 63 dollars. Those read as per-lot street tree and street improvement charges tied to new residential construction rather than to removal, and the row labels do not line up cleanly with the figures in the published PDF. Confirm with the Building Department before assuming any of it applies to you.

Penalties

Zoning Section 3.08: "any person, firm, or corporation violating the provisions of this Chapter is responsible for committing a Municipal Civil Infraction and subject to the provisions of Chapter 100 of the City of Troy's Code of Ordinances," and "A separate offense shall be deemed committed upon each day during or when a violation occurs or continues." Chapter 100 caps costs at "not more than $500" and provides for "imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 90 days or by a fine of not more than $500, or both." Chapter 28 Section 14 adds cost recovery: if you do not comply with an order to trim or remove, "the director shall remedy the conditions or contract with others for such purpose and charge the costs thereof," and unpaid costs "shall thereupon become a lien upon such property, and shall be included in the next tax bill."

Ordinance

City of Troy Code of Ordinances Chapter 28 — Tree Regulations, Sections 1 through 18. The chapter carries revision dates of 2-28-77, 3-26-79 and 6-5-89; Section 5(D), the 25 percent cap, is from the 6-5-89 revision. Troy publishes its code as per-chapter PDFs rather than through a codifier. Separately, the City of Troy Zoning Ordinance, Section 13.07 (Woodland Protection) and Section 8.02 (Site Plan Required), in the consolidated text published August 5, 2026. Section 1.07 of that ordinance repeals "The City of Troy Zoning Ordinance, and all amendments thereto, and all prior zoning ordinances of the City of Troy... effective coincident with the effective date of this Ordinance," so the current zoning text is a full replacement rather than an amendment.

Worth knowing

The city can order you to cut, and that is the commonest way a Troy homeowner hears from the city. Chapter 28 Section 5(A): "Said person shall remove all dead, diseased, or dangerous trees, or broken or decayed limbs which constitute a menace to the safety of the public," with a minimum eight feet of clearance over the street or right-of-way. Section 12 covers infestations and Section 13 covers Dutch elm disease. Compliance time under Section 14(B) is "in no case... less than ten (10) days, except in case of extreme danger, nor more than thirty (30) days."
You have 48 hours to appeal an order. Section 14(C): a person to whom an order is directed "shall have the right, within forty-eight (48) hours of service of such order, to appeal to the City Manager of the City of Troy who shall review such order within five (5) working days."
Troy bans planting ten species outright, on private property. Chapter 28 Section 5(C) requires owners "To refrain from planting any of the following species": silver maple, box elder, tree of heaven, European barberry, northern catalpa, eastern red cedar, poplar, willow, American elm and Chinese elm. The zoning ordinance keeps a longer prohibited list at Table 13.02-D for new landscaping.
One- and two-family homes are outside site plan review, which is what switches off the woodland rules. Zoning Section 8.02.B: "Erection, moving, relocation, conversion, or structural alterations to a one- or two-family dwelling on an individual lot, and its accessory use(s) or structure(s), are exempt from the full site plan review process."
The woodland replacement rules also exempt houses explicitly. Section 13.07.G lists as exempt "Parcels of land that are not subject to site plan review," along with essential service work, "Tree clearing within an existing public road right-of-way or an existing private road easement," any tree shown to have "a health and condition standard factor of less than 50 percent based upon the standards established by the International Society of Arboriculture," invasive species, and "Removal of trees that have become a potential danger to human life or property."
Where the woodland rules do apply, mitigation is on-site planting, not money. Woodland trees of 6 inches DBH or larger are replaced at "a minimum of fifty percent (50%) of the original DBH removed," and Landmark Trees at "a minimum of one hundred percent (100%) of the original DBH of the tree(s) removed." A search of the current zoning ordinance found no fee in lieu, no tree fund and no tree bank — which is notable given that the Sixth Circuit struck down a neighbouring Michigan township's fee in lieu in F.P. Development v. Charter Township of Canton in 2021.
Corner lots have a sight-line rule. Section 11 caps shrubs and bushes at 30 inches within 25 feet of an intersection of right-of-way lines, and requires trees there to be trimmed to eight feet of clear vision above the roadway.
The lawn extension between sidewalk and street is yours to maintain but not to damage. Section 16: "the abutting owner or occupants may maintain a planting strip on the lawn extension between the sidewalk and the street," but "No person shall willfully injure or destroy any grass, flower or tree upon any such planting strip."

What we could not confirm

We would rather tell you what we don't know than guess. Call the office below to confirm these before you cut.

— How Troy applies the Section 5(D) 25 percent cap to an established house lot. The text limits it to "land where a building permit or subdivision approval has not been issued," and every developed lot in Troy had a building permit issued at some point, so the clause is capable of two readings: that it lapses once a house is built, or that it applies until a new permit issues. The city publishes nothing resolving it. If you are taking several trees at once, call before you cut.
— What form the "prior approval of the director" under Section 5(D) takes, and whether any application exists. None is published.
— Whether the Director of Parks and Recreation named throughout Chapter 28 is still the responsible officer. Troy's Public Works Department now lists "Facilities and Grounds (Park Maintenance)" among its service areas, and the code has not been updated to match.
— The last time Chapter 28 was amended. The printed revision notes stop at 6-5-89 and Troy publishes no supplement or codification date on the chapter PDFs, so it is not possible to confirm from the published text whether anything has changed since — including in response to F.P. Development v. Canton Township.
— Whether the "STREET AND TREE FEES" block in the 2026-27 City Fee Schedule applies to anything a homeowner removing a tree would do. The row labels and dollar figures are offset in the published PDF and no explanatory note accompanies them.
— Whether the Historic District Commission under Chapter 13 reviews tree removal on a designated property. The chapter was not read in full.
— Whether pulling stumps or clearing triggers Chapter 80 (Soil Removal and Fill) or Chapter 86 (Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control). Both exist and neither was read against the routine residential case.