The Flint tree ordinance establishes guidelines and practices for the city government to adequately manage tree maintenance and removal.
To remove any tree from your property in Flint City, you need to get a permit from the Tree Maintenance Division. Some trees are exempt such as dead trees and trees that have already fallen over.
You need to know more about the grounds for tree removal on public and private property within Flint City. Find out more information on tree removal permits and ordinances for more detailed guidelines.
What we cover
ToggleDo I need to obtain a permit before removing a tree in the city of Flint?
Yes. Any person desiring to remove a tree from either private or public property must acquire a city council permit before working on the tree. Any arising issue on the dead, dying, fallen branches/limbs, or hazardous trees on public land should be addressed to Street Maintenance Division.
This action will help the Division to perform a quick assessment of the tree in question to determine the next course of action, may it be maintenance practices or safe tree removal.
Should I obtain a permit when working in Right-of-way?
Any resident, contractor, or business entity working in the right of way must obtain a permit before proceeding with the work. In most cases, a permit is an essential requirement when removing trees, carrying on street maintenance, or working on trees growing on public property.
The Street Maintenance Division issues this permit.
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Who is responsible for street tree maintenance in Flint?
It is the sole responsibility of a Flint city maintenance department to care for, maintain, or remove any tree that poses a danger to the public from public property. In winter, street crews are deployed to remove debris, larger limbs, and fallen branches that may be in the right of way.
On private property, the owner is responsible for maintenance and tree removal.
Solid reasons for street tree removal in the city of Flint
You can remove a tree from the public space if:
- The tree is dying or dead.
- If the subject tree is infested with parasites that are hard to control.
- If most of its trunk is depleted and may fall off.
- It is a public nuisance.
- It blocks street warnings and traffic rights.
- The emergency tree falls off, maybe due to a massive storm.
- In case there are developments to be done beside the tree that may harm it.
When is a tree removal notice issued in the City of Flint?
This mostly happens when a privately owned tree adjoining a public property poses a danger to the public; it’s dead or acts as a distraction to the public. The city arborist is further sent to access the tree condition before the notice.
If it’s not badly off, the notice may require you to maintain the tree. However, when it needs to be removed, the owner is given a notice with a specific period to get the work done.
Failure to comply with Flint City Ordinance
These ordinances are put in place to protect the trees and prevent the public from cutting them down. Everyone in the city of Flint should fully comply and abide by the rules. Anyone who violates these guidelines constitutes a code inflation violation and is subjected to penalties.
You can be fined heavily or even serve a jail term.