Special Events & Permits in Farmington Hills, MI

Farmington Hills maintains 60 local ordinances across all categories, and 3 of those deal specifically with special events & permits. 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.

Street Fair Rules

Outdoor festivals qualify as licensed "special events" under City Code § 5-102, requiring a city clerk license before setup under § 5-121. Food and beverage vendors also need a separate Oakland County Health Department permit under § 5-129(1) unless they sell only pre-packaged, ready-to-eat items.

Key details: Event license: City clerk, § 5-121. Vendor food permit: Oakland County Health Dept, § 5-129(1). Exempt vendors: Pre-packaged, ready-to-eat booths. Electrical permit: Licensed contractor required, § 5-129(2). Fire certification: Tent/cloth flame-spread rating, § 5-129(4).

Operating a street fair, or a food booth at one, without the required city and county permits is a misdemeanor under §§ 1-13 and 1-16 because chapter 5 sits outside the civil-infraction list in § 1-25. Violators face a fine of up to $500, up to 90 days in jail, or both, with each day of the unpermitted event a separate offense, plus revocation of any license already issued.

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

Park Event Permits

Any group of 100 or more people planning to gather in a Farmington Hills city park must notify the city manager and get approval first under City Code § 19-64. The rule applies to any assembly of that size regardless of purpose, and it works alongside separate special-event and literature rules in the same chapter.

Key details: Trigger: 100 or more persons in a city park. Who approves: City manager. Governing section: City Code § 19-64. Related permit: § 19-66 special event license for powered equipment. Adopted: Ordinance No. C-4-88, 1988.

Holding an assembly of 100 or more people in a Farmington Hills park without first notifying the city manager and getting approval violates § 19-64. Because Chapter 19 has no dedicated fine for this offense, enforcement falls to the Code's general penalty at § 1-13: a fine of up to $500.00, up to 90 days in jail, or both, with continuing violations charged per day.

Block Party Permits

Farmington Hills classifies a block party as a licensed "special event" under City Code § 5-102, so no resident may close a street or host one without a city clerk-issued license under § 5-121. Applications are due 30 days ahead, require a nonrefundable fee, and need zoning compliance or a Zoning Board of Appeals variance before the license issues.

Key details: License required: City clerk license, § 5-121. Application deadline: 30 days before event, § 5-122(c). Bond required: Cash cleanup bond, § 5-128(a). Zoning check: Ch. 34 compliance or ZBA approval, § 5-125. Appeal window: 21 days to city council, § 5-126(a).

Chapter 5 is not among the chapters § 1-25 designates as civil infractions, so hosting an unlicensed block party defaults to a misdemeanor under § 1-16. Section 1-13 sets the penalty at up to $500 and costs, up to 90 days in jail, or both, with each day of the unlicensed event a separate offense. The city may also revoke the license, order abatement, or seek injunctive relief.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Farmington Hills actively enforces its block party permits requirements.

The Bottom Line

Farmington Hills is tougher than many cities when it comes to special events & permits. Out of the 3 rules covered here, 2 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.