Ordinance Information
This site contains all of the City Ordinances adopted between October 1, 1995 and the present date. Ordinances on this site and all Ordinances prior to October 1, 1995 are available in the Office of the City Clerk or the Office of the City Attorney. The Ordinances contained within this site are as accurate as possible, however, they should not be used for legal purposes. For legal purposes, an official copy should be obtained from the City Clerk's Office or the City Attorney's Office.Using the links below, you can search for an Ordinance, review the penalties for violating an Ordinance or learn how an Ordinance is adopted. You may search for an Ordinance by either the Ordinance's Official Number (Example: 2000-02) or by its title or subject (Example: Vicious Dogs). Just click the appropriate link. Every Ordinance also has penalties for violating the Ordinance. You may see the standard penalties by clicking the Ordinance Penalties link Any special penalties will be contained within the Ordinance itself and can be viewed when you have the particular Ordinance opened. If you would like to know how an Ordinance is adopted or becomes law in the City, click the Adopting an Ordinance link.
You will need Adobe Reader to view the Ordinances in this site. If you do not have Adobe Reader, you may download it here.
List by Number
List by Title
Ordinance Penalties
Adopting an Ordinance
List by Number
1995
1995-16 Sewer (Wayne County) Ordinance Amended(1998-03)1995-17 Domestic Violence Ordinance Section Amended (2002-08)
1996
1996-01 Alcohol to Minors1996-02 Control of Animals
1996-03 Garbage
1996-04 Streets & Sidewalks
1996-05 Regulation of Vegetation
1996-08 Tobacco on School Property
1996-09 Adoption of Flood Plain
1996-10 Regulation of Auto Service Centers
FORM: Required Service Center Notice (For use by Service Center Business Only)
1996-12 Regulation of Massage Parlors
1996-13 Creation of Recreation Foundation Section Amended (2000-17)
1996-14 Municipal Civil Infraction Penalties
1996-15 Penalties for Continued Violations
1996-17 Prohibition on Feeding Pigeons
1996-18 Regulation of Signs Section Amended (1999-02)
1997
1997-01 Regulation of Cable Franchises1997-02 Changes to OUIL (Drunk Driving) Law Amended (2003-05)
1997-05 Repeal of Vehicle Displayed for Sale Ordinance
1998
1998-02 Establishment of Water Restrictions1998-03 Sewer (Wayne County) Use Ordinance
1998-04 Increased Penalties for School and Construction Zones
1999
1999-01 Ordinance Allowing Remote Car Starters1999-02 Regulation of Political Signs
1999-03 Regulation of Parking on Unpaved Areas in Residential Districts
1999-05 Regulation of Commercial Vehicles in Residential Districts
1999-06 Adoption of BOCA National Fire Code of 1996
1999-07 Regulation of Handbill Distributors
1999-08 Regulation of the Display of Vehicles for Sale in Commercial Districts
1999-10 Regulation of Outdoor Lighting in Residential Districts
1999-11 City Purchasing Ordinance
2000
2000-02 Regulation of Certificates of Occupancy2000-04 Adoption of BOCA National Fire Code of 1996 and NFPA
2000-05 Adoption of the Michigan Motor Vehicle Code
2000-08 Regulation of Skateboarding and Roller Blading
2000-09 Ordinance to Allow Recovery of City Costs for Emergency Responses
2000-10 Clarification of Enforcement Officials for Building Codes
2000-11 Clarification of Enforcement Officials for the Plumbing Code
2000-12 Clarification of Enforcement Officials for the Mechanical Code
2000-13 Hours for Residential Collection and Commercial Dumpsters
2000-14 Regulation of Construction Dumpsters
2000-15 Ordinance of Provide Regulations for the Control of Vicious Animals
2000-17 Increase the Membership of the Parks and Recreation Foundation
2000-18 Regulation of Construction Permits and Inspection Fees
2000-20 Prohibition of Canopy Garages
2000-21 Increase Loading and Unloading Time Limits for Recreational Vehicles
2000-22 Reorganization of the Public Safety CommissionAmended (2001-11)
2000-23 City Ethics Ordinance Section Amended (2002-06)
FORMS: Ethics Ordinance Complaint Form (For use by the General Public)
Ethics Ordinance Annual Disclosure Form(For use by City Officers Only)
2000-24 Animal Adoption Ordinance
2000-25 Adoption of State Electrical Code
2000-26 Regulation of Fencing Material
2001
2001-01 Increase Membership in the Veteran's Affairs Commission2001-02 Regulations Concerning Snow Emergencies
2001-03 Regulations Concerning Downspouts
2001-04 Establishment of Fees for Fire Code Permits
2001-05 Metromedia Franchise
2001-06 Reorganization of the Community Relations Commission
2001-09 Adoption of the 1999 BOCA National Building Code
2001-10 Adoption of the 1999 BOCA Property Maintenance Code
2001-11 Clarification of the Duties of the Public Safety Commission
2001-12 Outdoor Fire Devices
2001-13 Increase the Membership of the Historic Commission
2001-15 Establish Rental Inspections for Residential Properties Section Amended (2002-03)
2001-16 Establish Student Commissioners of Select Commissions
2001-17 Sale of Knifes to Minors
2001-21 Require the Payment of Living Wage on City Projects Repealed (2002-04)
2002
2002-03 Amend Definition of Residential Rental Property2002-04 Repeal of Living Wage Ordinance
2002-06 Establish Complaint Process for Ethics Ordinance
FORM: Ethics Ordinance Complaint Form (For use by the General Public)
2002-08 Provide Additional Definitions for Domestic Violence
2003
2003-05 Re-adoption of Michigan Motor Vehicle Code2003-06 Adoption of METRO Act (Telecommunications Permitting)
FORM: Application for Permit
INFORMATION (State Web-link):www.michigan.gov/mpsc/0,1607,7-159-16372_22707---,00.html
2004
2004-05 Commercial ZoningBack to Top
List by Title
A
| Adoption of Animals | 2000-24 |
| Adoption of BOCA National Fire Code of 1996 | 1999-06 |
| Amend Definition for Rental Property | 2002-03 |
| Amendment to Domestic Violence Ordinance-Definitions | 2002-08 |
| Amendment to Parks & Recreation Foundation | 2000-17 |
| Amendment to Safety Commission | 2000-22 |
| Amendment to Safety Commission to Define Duties | 2001-11 |
| Animal Adoption | 2000-24 |
| Animal, Dogs and Cats | 1996-02 |
| Assaults-Amended Definitions | 2002-08 |
| Assaults Between Husband-Wife or Related Parties or Boy-Girl Friend | 1995-17 |
| Automobile Service Centers | 1996-10 |
| FORM: Required Service Center Notice (Use by Service Center Business Only) |
B
| Backyard Fire Pits | 2001-12 |
| Boats in Residential Districts for Loading and Unloading | 2000-21 |
| BOCA Building Code of 1999 | 2001-09 |
| BOCA Fire & NFPA | 2000-04 |
| BOCA Fire Code of 1996 | 1999-06 |
| BOCA Property Maintenance Code of 1996 | 2001-10 |
| Building Code of 1999 | 2001-09 |
C
| Cable Ordinance | 1997-01 |
| Canopy Garages | 2000-20 |
| Car Repair Centers | 1996-10 |
| FORM: Required Service Center Notice (Use by Service Center Business Only) | |
| Cats | 1996-02 |
| Cats-Adoption | 2000-24 |
| Certificate of Occupancy | 2000-02 |
| City Purchasing Ordinance | 1999-11 |
| City Traffic Ordinances Part 1 | 2000-05 |
| City Traffic Ordinances Part 1 (Re-Adoption with Amendments) | 2003-05 |
| Commercial Zoning | 2004-05 |
| Commercial Vehicles in Residential | 1999-05 |
| Commission of Community Relations | 2001-06 |
| Commission of Public Safety-Amendment | 2000-22 |
| Commission of Public Safety-Amendment to Define Duties | 2001-11 |
| Community Relations Commission | 2001-06 |
| Complaint Process for Ethics Violations | 2002-06 |
| FORM: Ethics Ordinance Complaint Form (For use by the General Public) | |
| Construction Dumpsters | 2000-14 |
| Construction Permits | 2000-18 |
| Construction, School and Emergency Scene Traffic Zones | 1998-04 |
| Continuing Violations | 1996-15 |
| County Sewer Use | 1995-16 |
D
| Display of Vehicles for Sale in Commercial Districts | 1999-08 |
| Dogs | 1996-02 |
| Dogs-Adoption | 2000-24 |
| Domestic Assualt | 1995-17 |
| Domestic Violence Amendment | 2002-08 |
| Downspouts | 2001-03 |
| Drunk Driving | 1997-02 |
| Dumpsters-Construction | 2000-14 |
| Duties of Public Safety Commission | 2001-11 |
E
| Electrical Code | 2000-25 |
| Emergency Response | 2000-09 |
| Emergency Scene, Construction and School Traffic Zones | 1998-04 |
| Enforcement of Building Code | 2000-10 |
| Enforcement of Mechanical Code | 2000-12 |
| Enforcement of Plumbing Code | 2000-11 |
| Ethics Complaint Process | 2002-06 |
| Ethics Ordinance | 2000-23 |
| FORM: Ethics Ordinance Complaint Form (For use by the General Public) | |
| FORM: Ethics Ordinance Annual Disclosure Form (Use by City Officers Only) |
F
| Feeding of Pigeons | 1996-17 |
| Fence Material | 2000-26 |
| Fire Code of 1996 | 1999-06 |
| Fire Code of 1996 with NFPA | 2000-04 |
| Fire Code Permits | 2001-04 |
| Fire Pits | 2001-12 |
| Flood Plain (Zone) | 1996-09 |
G
| Garbage | 1996-03 |
H
| Handbill Distributors | 1999-07 |
| Hazardous Releases-Reimbursement for Costs | 2000-09 |
| Historical Commission | 2001-13 |
I
| Impaired Driving | 1997-02 |
| Increased Penalties-School, Construction & Emergency Scene Traffic Zones | 1998-04 |
J
K
L
| Lighting in Residential Districts (Outside-Outdoor) | 1999-10 |
| Living Wage Ordinance | 2001-21 |
| Loading and Unloading of Recreational Vehicles | 2000-21 |
M
| Massage Parlors | 1996-12 |
| METRO Act | 2003-06 |
| FORM: Application for Permit | |
| INFORMATION (State Web-link): www.michigan.gov/mpsc/0,1607,7-159-16372_22707---,00.html |
|
| Metromedia Franchise | 2001-05 |
| Michigan Motor Vehicle Code | 2000-05 |
| Michigan Motor Vehicle Code Re-Adoption with Amendments | 2003-05 |
| Minor in Possession of Alcohol | 1996-01 |
| Misdemeanors and Civil Infractions | 1996-14 |
| Motor Homes in Residential Districts for Loading and Unloading | 2000-21 |
| Motor Vehicle Code | 2000-05 |
| Motor Vehicle Code Re-Adoption with Amendments | 2003-05 |
N
| NFPA (Fire Prevention Code) | 2000-04 |
O
| Operating While Under the Influence | 1997-02 |
| OUIL Amendment | 1997-02 |
| Outdoor Fire Device | 2001-12 |
| Outdoor Lighting in Residential Districts | 1999-10 |
| OWI | 1997-02 |
P
| Parks and Recreation Foundation | 1996-13 |
| Patio Wood Burners | 2001-12 |
| Political Signs | 1999-02 |
| Possession of Alcohol by Minor | 1996-01 |
| Prohibition of Sale of Knifes to Minors | 2001-17 |
| Property Maintenance Code of 1996 | 2001-10 |
| Public Safety Commission-Amendment | 2000-22 |
| Public Safety Commission-Amendment to Define Duties | 2001-11 |
| Purchasing Ordinance | 1999-11 |
Q
R
S
| Safety Commission-Amendment to Define Duties | 2001-11 |
| Sale of Knifes to Minors | 2001-17 |
| Sale of Vehicles | 1999-08 |
| School Zones | 1998-04 |
| Service Centers-Automobile | 1996-10 |
| FORM: Required Service Center Notice (Use by Service Center Business Only) | |
| Sewer Use Ordinance (New) | 2001-14 |
| Sewer Use Ordinance of 1995 | 1995-16 |
| Sewer Use Ordinance | 1998-03 |
| Sign Ordinance | 1996-18 |
| Skateboards | 2000-08 |
| Snow Emergency | 2001-02 |
| State Electrical Code | 2000-25 |
| Streets and Sidewalks | 1996-04 |
| Student Commissioners | 2001-16 |
T
| Telecommunications Act | 2003-06 |
| FORM: Application for Permit | |
| INFORMATION (State Web-link): www.michigan.gov/mpsc/0,1607,7-159-16372_22707---,00.html |
|
| Temporary Garages | 2000-20 |
| Tent Garages | 2000-20 |
| Tobacco on School Property | 1996-08 |
| Traffic Ordinances (Partial) | 2000-05 |
| Traffic Ordinances-(Partial) Re-Adoption of Motor Vehicle Code | 2003-05 |
U
V
| Vegetation | 1996-05 |
| Veteran's Affairs Commission | 2001-01 |
| Vicious Animals | 2000-15 |
| Vicious Dogs | 2000-15 |
W
| Waste Collection | 2000-13 |
| Water Restrictions | 1998-02 |
| Wayne County Sewer Use Ordinance of 1995 | 1995-16 |
| Wayne County Sewer Use Ordinance of 1998 | 1998-03 |
| Wayne County Sewer Use Ordinance (New) | 2001-14 |
| Wood Burning Devices in Residential Districts | 2001-12 |
X
Y
Z
Ordinance Penalties
There are three (3) basic types of penalties for violating or disobeying a City Ordinance. These types are a Misdemeanor, a Municipal Civil Infraction and a Civil Infraction. Each Ordinance indicates the type of penalty a violation is to carry. If the Ordinance does not specify a penalty, the penalty is usually a Misdemeanor. The information provided below is intended to provide a general overview and a general guide only. If you should receive a violation from the City, you should check with the Court or the City Clerk's Office to determine what type of penalties apply as several City Ordinances have specific penalties beyond the general penalties indicated below.
Misdemeanors
These are the most serious violations for local ordinances or laws. If an individual is convicted or found guilty of a misdemeanor offense, that individual could be assessed a fine of up to $500.00 and/or be placed in jail for up to 90 or 93 days. In addition to these penalties, the Court can impose Court Costs and other Court sanctioned fees or penalties.
Municipal Civil Infractions
These violations are for non-traffic offenses and are considered non-criminal violations because the Court cannot impose jail time for the actual violation. If an individual is convicted or found responsible for the Municipal Civil Infraction, the individual will simply be assessed a fine. In addition to this fine, the Court can impose Court Costs and other Court sanctioned fees or penalties.
Civil Infractions
These violations are for traffic offenses and are considered non-criminal violations because the Court cannot impose jail time for the actual violation. If an individual is convicted or found responsible for the Civil Infraction, the individual will simply be assessed a fine. In addition to this fine, the Court can impose Court Costs and other Court sanctioned fees or penalties.
Additional Penalties or Special Provisions
Continuing Offense: City Ordinance allows an individual to be charged with a new offense or violation for each day the violation exists. For example, if an individual parks a vehicle on the grass and leaves it there for three (3) days; the individual could receive three (3) citations or tickets for parking on the grass, one for each day the vehicle was parked on the grass.
Remedy: If an individual is charged with violating a Building Code or the Zoning Code, or if the Ordinance under which the individual is charged allows, the individual may also be ordered by the Court to correct the problem or condition.
Graduated Penalties: Some Ordinances indicate that the penalty increases for subsequent or additional violations. In many of the Municipal Civil Infractions, subsequent or additional violations can change the violation from a Municipal Civil Infraction (a non-criminal violation) into a Misdemeanor (a criminal violation).
Court Penalties: If an individual is charged with a violation of a local ordinance and does not comply with the orders or direction of the Court, the individual may face additional penalties, including jail, regardless if the original City offense allowed for the jail penalty. These penalties are imposed by the Court through the legal process and are not part of the penalties for the violation of the City ordinance.
Adopting an Ordinance
A City Law or Rule is called an Ordinance. Local Ordinances are generally broken down into four (4) categories, Traffic Ordinances, Criminal Ordinances, Building Ordinances (Building and Construction Codes) and Miscellaneous Ordinances (such as Trash Collection, Snow Removal etc.).
The City Charter specifies the legal requirements on how a proposal becomes a City Ordinance. The Charter specifies only the minimum requirements for the adoption of an Ordinance and the Mayor and Council can require or add certain requirements before any proposed ordinance is adopted. The discussion below is a review of only the minimum requirements specified by the City Charter and does not discuss the Referendum process or how the public can place a proposed ordinance on a Ballot for an Election by the public. For more details on both processes, please review the appropriate sections in the City Charter. You may access those sections by clicking this link, City Charter - Ordinance Adoption.
An Ordinance starts as an idea proposed to the City Council. This idea may be put forth by the Mayor, a City Councilperson, City Department Head, the City Attorney or arise due to public comment at a City Council Meeting. The idea is put into written form by the City Attorney. The Ordinance is now considered a proposed ordinance.
The proposed ordinance is put on a Council agenda to be discussed at a Council meeting. If the Council believes the proposed ordinance has merit and wants to consider it further, the proposed ordinance will have a First and Second Reading at the Council meeting. This does not mean the proposed ordinance is read aloud to the public two times. To complete the First and Second Readings, the Council only needs to announce the proposed ordinance by its title or general subject matter and pass a resolution to approve the First and Second Reading. If the Council elects not to continue consideration of the proposed ordinance, the Council will not support the First and Second Reading or will vote against the First and Second Reading. Unless there is further desire by the Council to continue to discuss or consider the proposed ordinance, the proposed ordinance would by dropped at this point.
Once the Council passes or accepts the First and Second Reading by Council Resolution, the City Attorney finalizes the proposed ordinance and may make changes as suggested by the Council. The proposed ordinance is also published in a news paper that is generally circulated within the City. Usually this means the proposed ordinance is published in the News Herald, although it could be published in another local paper.
The City Charter does not require that the entire ordinance be published and in most instances, a summary of the proposed ordinance is only published. This summary usually contains the general headings and sections of the proposed ordinance. However, if the Council or City Attorney believes that more of the proposed ordinance needs to be published so that the general public will know what the proposed ordinance is about, a more detailed publication would be done. The Charter does require that if just a summary is published, a complete copy of the proposed ordinance must be available in the City Clerk's Office for review by the general public. The newspaper summary also advises the public that a copy of the proposed ordinance is available for review.
No sooner than ten (10) days after the proposed ordinance was published, the proposed ordinance can be sent back to the City Council for adoption. This step is called the Third and Final Reading. Again, the proposed ordinance is not actually read aloud. If the Council still believes the idea of the proposed ordinance is appropriate, a Resolution calling for the ordinance's adoption will be made by a Councilperson. A Roll Call Vote will be taken on the proposed ordinance. This means that each Councilperson, and the Mayor as a member of the Council, will have to publicly indicate whether they are for or against the proposed ordinance. If the proposed ordinance receives a simple majority vote of the Council, it passes and becomes law.
The adopted ordinance must now be published again in final form within ten (10) days. The publication process is the same as for the proposed ordinance, including the review copy in the City Clerk's Office.
An ordinance may also be adopted as an Emergency measure. When a proposed ordinance is adopted as an Emergency measure, it is adopted at the same Council meeting as it is originally proposed. So instead of having just the First and Second Reading, the Third and Final Reading are done at the same time. Additionally, the proposed ordinance is not published as a proposed ordinance, it is only published after it has been adopted.
Finally, a proposed ordinance may be changed many times before it is finally adopted. Some ordinances may have as many as fourteen (14) or twenty (20) versions before it is finally adopted. It is not required by the City Charter that each new version be published. Generally, only the latest version at the time of the First and Second Reading and the Final Adopted versions are published. This reduces the cost to the City for the newspaper ads.