How Detroit Handles Public Conduct: A Practical Guide

Detroit maintains 144 local ordinances across all categories, and 6 of those deal specifically with public conduct. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Detroit falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Public Urination

Detroit bans urinating or defecating anywhere in public other than a designated restroom. The prohibition is citywide and carries standard misdemeanor penalties under the general code.

Key details: Governing section: City Code § 31-5-5. Where it applies: Any public place in Detroit. Exception: Restroom provided for that purpose. Max penalty: $500 fine and/or 90 days jail.

Fine up to $500.00, up to 90 days in jail, or both, per § 1-1-9's general penalty; enforced by Detroit Police.

Compared to other cities, Detroit takes a harder line on public urination. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Loud Party Ordinance

Detroit bans loud music, amplified sound, or noise-making devices between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. citywide, with tighter limits near residential zoning districts, under the city's non-motor vehicle noise ordinance.

Key details: Quiet hours: 10:00 p.m.–7:00 a.m., citywide. Max penalty: $500 fine, up to 90 days jail. Covered noise: Music, amplified speech, sirens, whistles. Who can be cited: Anyone creating or permitting the noise. Enforcing agency: Detroit Police Department.

First violation: misdemeanor, up to a $500 fine and 90 days in jail (or both), issued per occurrence; officers can cite anyone creating, assisting, or permitting the noise, including at a private party.

Skateboarding Rules

Detroit bans riding skateboards, roller blades, roller skates, or scooters in any city park, public place, or boulevard when done in a way that could harm a person or property, with an outright ban at Hart Plaza and Campus Martius Park.

Key details: Citywide parks rule: Banned if likely to harm person/property. Hart Plaza: Banned outright, no exceptions permit. Campus Martius Park: Banned outright except scheduled events. Max penalty: $500 fine, 90 days jail. Enforcing agency: Recreation Department.

General park violations are misdemeanors: up to a $500 fine, up to 90 days in jail, or both, under §§ 33-1-3(a) and 1-1-9(a)(1). Hart Plaza and Campus Martius violations carry the same misdemeanor penalty under §§ 33-2-3 and 33-2-23.

Loitering Rules

Detroit police can order anyone loitering on a street, sidewalk, overpass, or public place to move on, and it's unlawful to stay and obstruct pedestrian or vehicle traffic after being told to leave.

Key details: Trigger: Police move-on order first. Covered areas: Streets, sidewalks, overpasses, public places. Max penalty: $500 fine or 90 days jail. Case law: Upheld in Detroit v. Wedlow (1969).

No move-on warning, no violation. After the warning, continued obstructive loitering can bring a fine up to $500, up to 90 days in jail, or both, under Detroit's general penalty section § 1-1-9.

Public Alcohol Use

Detroit prohibits drinking alcoholic liquor on any street, sidewalk, alley, or other publicly-owned area, with a narrow exception for licensed commercial quadricycle tours; violators face a misdemeanor punishable by up to $500 and 90 days in jail.

Key details: Prohibited: Drinking alcohol on streets, sidewalks, alleys. Exception: Licensed commercial quadricycle tours only. Penalty: Up to $500 fine, 90 days jail. Enforced by: Detroit Police Department. Citation: Detroit City Code § 31-5-2.

Misdemeanor citation for each violation issued (a new one may issue daily); court may impose a fine up to $500.00, up to 90 days in jail, or both.

Compared to other cities, Detroit takes a harder line on public alcohol use. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Aggressive Panhandling

Detroit lets people beg or solicit donations, but bans accosting, blocking, or following someone who refuses, plus soliciting within 15 feet of ATMs, transit stops, and business entrances citywide.

Key details: Buffer distance: 15 feet. Covered locations: ATMs, transit stops, business entrances. Max penalty: $500 fine or 90 days. Passive begging: Legal citywide.

Not designated a misdemeanor with its own penalty, so it falls under the Code's default: up to a $500 fine, up to 90 days in jail, or both, per Sec. 1-1-9. Each day of a continuing violation is a separate offense.

The Bottom Line

Detroit is tougher than many cities when it comes to public conduct. Out of the 6 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Detroit, 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 Detroit 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.