Farmington Hills Business Licensing & Operations

Farmington Hills maintains 60 local ordinances across all categories, and 3 of those deal specifically with business licensing & operations. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Farmington Hills falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Massage Establishments

Farmington Hills requires a city-issued massage therapy establishment license for every separate office or place of business under Code Sec. 16-16, plus therapist licensing under Sec. 16-8, background checks, sanitation standards and a 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. closing rule.

Key details: Establishment license: Required per office, Sec. 16-16. Therapist license: Required individually, Sec. 16-8. Accessory-use exemption: ≤15% of floor area, Sec. 16-2(b). Operating hours: 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. only. Application decision: Within 90 days, Sec. 16-20.

Operating or employing a massage therapist without the required license, or violating any chapter provision, is a misdemeanor punishable under Sec. 1-13 and is separately declared a public nuisance per se subject to court-ordered abatement under Sec. 16-11.

Compared to other cities, Farmington Hills takes a harder line on massage establishments. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Tobacco Retail License

Any hookah, vape or tobacco lounge operating in Farmington Hills needs a smoking lounge license under City Code § 8-45 before it opens. The definitions in § 8-42 sweep e-cigarettes and similar vapor devices into the same 'non-tobacco products' a licensed lounge is allowed to offer.

Key details: License required: Before operating any smoking/vape lounge. Includes vapor products: E-cigarettes counted as non-tobacco products. Hours of operation: Closed 11:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.. Minimum age on premises: 18 years old. License term: Expires every December 31.

Operating a smoking or vape lounge without the § 8-45 license, or keeping it open past the 11:00 p.m. curfew set by § 8-60, exposes the licensee to license suspension or revocation under §§ 8-12 and 8-13, and the police chief can order a temporary closure of up to 72 hours under § 8-66 after an incident that threatens public safety.

Compared to other cities, Farmington Hills takes a harder line on tobacco retail license. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Secondhand Dealers

Anyone dealing in junk or operating a junkyard in Farmington Hills needs a license under City Code § 23-46, approved by the city council after review and certified by the police chief and building inspector. Licensed sites face strict siting, fencing, and hours restrictions.

Key details: Governing section: City Code § 23-46. Who approves: City council, after police chief/building inspector certify. Siting buffer: 500 ft. from churches, schools, homes. Fence requirement: 8-ft. white board fence within 30 days. Business hours: Closed 7 p.m. Sat. to 7 a.m. Mon..

Operating a junk dealing business or junkyard in Farmington Hills without a council-approved license, or without the required fence, hours compliance, or vehicle records, violates Article II of Chapter 23. Because the article sets no separate fine, enforcement runs through the Code's general penalty, § 1-13: up to a $500.00 fine, up to 90 days in jail, or both, with each day of continued operation a separate offense.

This is one of the stricter rules in Farmington Hills's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

The Bottom Line

Farmington Hills is tougher than many cities when it comes to business licensing & operations. Out of the 3 rules covered here, 3 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Farmington Hills, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

Keep in mind that Farmington Hills can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.