A Resident's Guide to Ann Arbor's Local Ordinances

Ann Arbor is a mid-sized city in Washtenaw County, Michigan, with about 124000 residents. Like most cities its size, it has a set of local rules that may differ significantly from neighboring municipalities. Here is an overview of 111 ordinances across 27 categories that affect daily life in Ann Arbor.

Environmental Rules

Stormwater Management: Ann Arbor enforces strict stormwater management protecting the Huron River. Progressive environmental policies require green infrastructure for new development and impervious surface reduction..

Also covered: Erosion Control (moderate), Grading & Drainage (moderate), Coastal Development (moderate). See the full environmental rules guide for Ann Arbor for details.

Noise Ordinances

Quiet Hours: Ann Arbor prohibits unreasonable noise in residential areas with quiet hours from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM weekdays and 10:00 PM to 9:00 AM weekends. Chapter 79 of the city code uses both a "plainly audible" standard at 50 feet and decibel limits, with stricter rules near the University of Michigan campus where student housing is concentrated..

Also covered: Barking Dogs (moderate), Leaf Blower Rules (permissive), Amplified Music & Events (moderate). See the full noise ordinances guide for Ann Arbor for details.

Rental Property Rules

Rental Registration: Ann Arbor requires rental property registration and regular inspections. Major university town with extensive student rental housing market.

Also covered: Just Cause Eviction (moderate), Rent Control (permissive). See the full rental property rules guide for Ann Arbor for details.

Short-Term Rentals

Noise Rules: Ann Arbor STRs must comply with general noise ordinance. Many cities impose stricter quiet hours for rental properties.

Also covered: Permit Requirements (moderate), Taxes & Fees (moderate), Parking Rules (moderate). See the full short-term rentals guide for Ann Arbor for details.

Fire Regulations

Fireworks: Under Michigan PA 256 of 2011 (amended PA 65 of 2018), Ann Arbor limits consumer-grade fireworks to the day before, day of, and day after 11 designated national holidays. Use is prohibited on all other days.

Also covered: Fire Pit Rules (moderate), Brush Clearance (moderate), Outdoor Burning (moderate). See the full fire regulations guide for Ann Arbor for details.

Parking Rules

RV & Boat Parking: Ann Arbor prohibits parking recreational vehicles, boats, trailers, and campers on city streets for more than 48 consecutive hours and restricts their storage in residential front yards. RVs and boats must generally be stored behind the front building line, on a paved or graveled surface, and may not be used as living quarters while parked on private property..

Also covered: Driveway Rules (moderate), Commercial Vehicle Restrictions (moderate), Overnight Parking (moderate). See the full parking rules guide for Ann Arbor for details.

Fence Regulations

Pool Barriers: Ann Arbor requires pool barriers meeting safety codes to prevent drowning. Fences must be at least 4 to 5 feet tall with self-closing, self-latching gates..

Also covered: Permit Requirements (moderate), Neighbor Fence Rules (moderate), Retaining Walls (moderate). See the full fence regulations guide for Ann Arbor for details.

Animal Ordinances

Exotic Pets: Ann Arbor restricts ownership of exotic and wild animals. Many species require special permits or are prohibited entirely for public safety..

Also covered: Breed Restrictions (moderate), Chickens & Livestock (permissive), Dog Leash Laws (moderate). See the full animal ordinances guide for Ann Arbor for details.

Landscaping Rules

Grass Height Limits: Ann Arbor caps grass and weed growth at 8 inches on residential properties. Chapter 82 (Noxious Weeds) authorizes the city to cut overgrown lawns and bill the owner, with the cost becoming a lien on the property if unpaid.

Also covered: Weed Ordinances (moderate), Water Restrictions (permissive), Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (moderate). See the full landscaping rules guide for Ann Arbor for details.

Accessory Structures

ADU Rental Restrictions: Ann Arbor ADUs may be rented long-term only by the unit not occupied by the owner, under UDC 5.16.4 and Housing Code Chapter 105. The 2024 short-term rental ordinance (Chapter 117) bans non-owner-occupied whole-house STRs in single-family residential zones, limiting STR use of an ADU to homestays where the owner remains on the property..

Also covered: Shed Rules (permissive), ADU Rules (moderate), Garage Conversions (moderate). See the full accessory structures guide for Ann Arbor for details.

Home Business

Signage Rules: Ann Arbor prohibits external business signage at home occupations. No visible evidence of commercial activity from the street..

Also covered: Zoning Restrictions (moderate), Customer Traffic Restrictions (strict), Cottage Food Operations (permissive). See the full home business guide for Ann Arbor for details.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Fencing Requirements: Michigan Building Code requires pool barriers at least 48 inches (4 feet) high. Self-closing, self-latching gates required.

Also covered: Pool Permits (moderate), Safety Rules (strict), Above-Ground Pools (moderate). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for Ann Arbor for details.

Trash & Recycling

Bulk Item Disposal: Ann Arbor offers scheduled bulk item pickup for large items like furniture and appliances. Advance scheduling typically required.

Also covered: Recycling Requirements (moderate), Pickup Rules & Schedules (moderate), Bin Placement Rules (moderate). See the full trash & recycling guide for Ann Arbor for details.

Drone Rules

Commercial Drones: Ann Arbor commercial drone operators must hold a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate from the FAA. Additional local permits may be required for filming or surveying..

Also covered: Recreational Drones (moderate). See the full drone rules guide for Ann Arbor for details.

Soliciting & Door-to-Door

Solicitor Permits: Ann Arbor requires door-to-door solicitors and peddlers to obtain a permit. Background checks and identification badges are commonly required..

Also covered: No-Knock Registry (moderate). See the full soliciting & door-to-door guide for Ann Arbor for details.

Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors

Food Truck Permits: Ann Arbor requires food trucks to obtain a mobile food vendor permit and health department approval. Annual licensing and vehicle inspections are typically required..

Also covered: Vending Zones (moderate). See the full food trucks & mobile vendors guide for Ann Arbor for details.

Curfew Laws

Juvenile Curfew: Ann Arbor enforces a juvenile curfew for minors under 17. Nighttime curfew hours typically run 11 PM to 6 AM on school nights with later weekend hours..

Also covered: Park Curfew (moderate). See the full curfew laws guide for Ann Arbor for details.

Property Maintenance

Snow & Sidewalk Clearing: Ann Arbor requires property owners to clear snow and ice from adjacent sidewalks within a set timeframe after snowfall, typically 24 to 48 hours..

Also covered: Garage Sale Rules (permissive), Trash Bin Storage (moderate), Property Blight (moderate). See the full property maintenance guide for Ann Arbor for details.

Building Setbacks & Zoning

Structure Height Limits: Ann Arbor zoning code sets maximum building heights by district. Residential zones typically limit structures to 35 feet or 2 to 3 stories..

Also covered: Setback Rules (moderate), Lot Coverage Limits (moderate). See the full building setbacks & zoning guide for Ann Arbor for details.

Tree Protection

Heritage & Protected Trees: Ann Arbor designates heritage or landmark trees based on size, age, or species. Removal or damage to heritage trees carries significant penalties..

Also covered: Tree Removal Permits (moderate), Tree Replacement Requirements (moderate). See the full tree protection guide for Ann Arbor for details.

Garage & Yard Sales

Frequency Limits: Ann Arbor limits the number of garage or yard sales per household per year. Typical limits range from 2 to 4 sales annually to prevent commercial activity..

Also covered: Garage Sale Permits (permissive), Time Restrictions (permissive). See the full garage & yard sales guide for Ann Arbor for details.

Cannabis Regulations

Dispensary Zoning: Ann Arbor zones cannabis dispensaries in commercial and industrial areas with buffer distances from schools, parks, and residential zones. Conditional use permits typically required.

Also covered: Home Cultivation (moderate). See the full cannabis regulations guide for Ann Arbor for details.

Outdoor Lighting

Dark Sky Rules: Ann Arbor regulates outdoor lighting to reduce light pollution and glare. Fully shielded fixtures required for new installations.

Also covered: Light Trespass (moderate). See the full outdoor lighting guide for Ann Arbor for details.

Sign Regulations

Garage Sale Signs: Ann Arbor allows temporary garage sale signs with restrictions on size, placement, and duration. Signs in public rights-of-way may be prohibited.

Also covered: Holiday Displays (permissive), Political Signs (permissive). See the full sign regulations guide for Ann Arbor for details.

Solar Energy

Panel Permits: Ann Arbor requires building permits for solar panel installations. Permit processes vary but most jurisdictions have streamlined solar permitting.

Also covered: HOA Restrictions (permissive). See the full solar energy guide for Ann Arbor for details.

Holiday Decorations

Inflatable Display Rules: Ann Arbor has no specific ordinance regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. Size, motor-noise, and time-of-year limits common in some cities are not in the Ann Arbor City Code.

Also covered: Lawn Ornament Rules (permissive), Holiday Light Rules (permissive). See the full holiday decorations guide for Ann Arbor for details.

Outdoor Cooking

Smoker Rules: Ann Arbor has no specific ordinance regulating residential offset smokers, pellet grills, or wood-fired ovens at single-family or duplex properties. Enforcement options arise only when smoke creates a nuisance under City Code or Michigan common law.

Also covered: BBQ & Propane Rules (moderate), Outdoor Kitchen Permits (moderate). See the full outdoor cooking guide for Ann Arbor for details.

What to Do With This Information

Think of this as a map of the regulatory landscape in Ann Arbor. For any rule that directly affects a decision you are making, click through to the full ordinance page for penalty details and exceptions, and confirm with the city if the stakes are high.