Title
An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 40 (Trees and Other Vegetation) of Title III (Parks and Public Grounds) of the Code of the City of Ann Arbor (ORD-25-34)
Memorandum
On April 3, 2023, the Ann Arbor City Council unanimously passed Resolution R-23-111 to Support Pollinator Habitat in Ann Arbor by:
- Encouraging property owners to reduce mowing frequency and to maintain higher lawn heights,
- Directing the City Administrator to encourage property owners to increase diverse native planting on their properties and communicate best practices and guidance in supporting pollinator habitat on private property, and the benefits of:
o Increasing the area of floral resources in yards,
o Reducing the area of mowed turf grass, and
o Reducing the frequency of lawn mowing.
The City’s Office of Sustainability has been actively promoting Pollinator-Aware Yard Care which protects biodiversity through native planting and replacing turfgrass with native groundcover and extending garden beds. The proposed amendment to Chapter 40 will further these efforts. The ordinance also addresses pedestrian and bicyclist safety at corners through sight triangles at intersections where trees and shrubs must be trimmed so as not to obstruct the view of pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists.
Property owners will have 90 days after the ordinance is adopted and published to bring properties into compliance. Notices of violation may be left at the premises, mailed or emailed to either the property owner or the owner’s agent.
Staff
Prepared by: John W. Reiser, Senior Assistant Attorney
Reviewed by: Corey Mills, AAPD Lieutenant
Paul Matthews, Director of Public Works
Melissa Stults, Director of Sustainability and Innovations
Approved by: Milton Dohoney Jr., City Administrator
Body
(See Attached Ordinance as Amended at First Reading on November 17, 2025)
Sponsored by: Councilmembers Akmon, Briggs, Cornell, Disch, and Watson