Public Conduct in Novi, MI (2026)
7 verified public conduct rules for Novi, Michigan, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Aggressive Panhandling
In the City of Novi, Code § 22-7 bars begging within twenty feet of a bank or ATM, soliciting cafe patrons without the operator's permission, and any 'aggressive begging' involving touching, blocking a path, repeated requests after refusal, following a person who has walked away, or abusive language meant to intimidate. The ordinance expressly preserves constitutionally protected solicitation.
Novi Aggressive Panhandling Ordinance
Some RestrictionsNovi City Code § 22-7(a)
(a)Except as otherwise provided in this code of ordinances, or as otherwise authorized by law, no person shall beg or solicit for the immediate payment of money or goods from another person under any of the following circumstances:(1)Within twenty (20) feet of a bank or automated teller (ATM) machine.(2)By soliciting a patron at a sidewalk café without first having obtained the permission of th...
Public Urination
It's unlawful in Novi to urinate or defecate anywhere in public other than in a toilet or urinal, under Sec. 22-158 of the city code. Because the ordinance doesn't specifically label the offense a civil infraction, the code's default penalty rule makes it a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a $500 fine.
Novi Bans Public Urination and Defecation
Some RestrictionsNovi City Code §§ 1-11, 22-158
(b)Presumption of misdemeanor. Unless a violation of an ordinance is specifically designated in the text of the ordinance to be a municipal civil infraction, a violation shall be deemed to be a misdemeanor. ... (1)Penalties for misdemeanors.a.A person convicted of violating an ordinance provision punishable as a misdemeanor shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be sentenced by the court f...
Loud Party Ordinance
Novi holds hosts responsible for underage drinking at their own parties. City Code § 22-217 makes it unlawful for anyone 17 or older who controls a residence to allow an "open house party" where alcohol or a controlled substance is possessed or consumed by anyone under 21, if the host knew or should have known and failed to stop it.
Novi Open House Party Host Liability
Some RestrictionsNovi City Code § 22-217
Open house party means a social gathering at a residence which includes persons in addition to the owner or those with rights of possession or their immediate family members. ... (b)Prohibited. No person seventeen (17) years or older having control of any residence shall allow an open house party to take place at such residence if any alcoholic liquor or controlled substance is possessed or con...
Loitering Rules
In the City of Novi, Code § 22-92 bans loitering on any street, sidewalk, overpass or public place, defining loitering as standing or idling so as to hinder pedestrian or vehicle passage after a police officer has told the person to move. Section 22-93 separately bars loitering inside hotels, offices, churches or other buildings against the owner's wishes.
Novi Loitering on Public Ways Ban
Some RestrictionsNovi City Code §§ 22-92, 22-93
It shall be unlawful for any person to loiter on any street, sidewalk, overpass or public place. For the purpose of this section, "loitering" is defined as the act of standing or idling in or about any street, sidewalk, overpass or public place so as to hinder or impede or tend to hinder or impede the passage of pedestrians or vehicles after having been told to move by a police officer. ... It ...
Outdoor Smoking Restrictions
The City of Novi bans smoking inside every enclosed building it owns, leases or operates and pushes that ban outward 100 feet from each entrance, covering the sidewalks and parking areas around city hall, the library and other municipal sites. The city manager may designate a specific outdoor smoking area. A first violation is a $50 civil infraction; each repeat costs $100, and the code declares any breach a public nuisance.
Novi Bars Smoking Near City Building Entrances
Some RestrictionsNovi City Code § 22-101
(d)Prohibition. ... No person shall smoke within any enclosed building owned, leased or operated by the city. This prohibition shall include, but is not limited to, private enclosed offices, open space offices, meeting rooms, conference rooms, eating areas, including cafeterias and break rooms, lounges, restrooms, hallways, stairways and enclosed entrances. This prohibition shall extend one hun...
Public Marijuana Use
Sec. 22-177 of the Novi city code makes it unlawful for anyone to use or knowingly possess marijuana anywhere within city limits, defining the drug to include the Cannabis sativa L. plant, its seeds, and any resin, compound, or derivative made from it. The only carve-out is for marijuana used under a state-authorized therapeutic research program citing the Michigan Public Health Code.
Novi Marijuana Possession Ban, Sec. 22-177
Heavy RestrictionsNovi City Code § 22-177
(a)Definition. ... For purposes of this section, "marijuana" means all parts of the plant Cannabis sativa L., growing or not; the seeds thereof; the resin extracted from any part of the plant; and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the plant or its seeds or resin. ... (b)Prohibited. No person shall use or knowingly or intentionally possess marijuana within...
Public Alcohol Use
In the City of Novi, it is unlawful to possess an open container of alcoholic liquor, or to consume alcoholic liquor, in any public place or on any public street or highway. City Code Sections 3-2 and 3-3 define that ban broadly to cover parks, sidewalks, public buildings, and any business open to the public, with a narrow exception for licensed liquor establishments and Michigan Liquor Control Commission temporary permit events.
Open Container and Drinking Ban in Novi
Some RestrictionsNovi City Code §§ 3-2, 3-3
It shall be unlawful for any person in any public place, as defined in section 3-1 of this article, or upon any public street or highway to have in his possession any bottle, vessel or container which contains alcoholic liquor, where it is open or the seal has been broken thereon, or in a container from which the contents can be used without breaking a seal. ... ... Sec. 3-3. - Consumption in p...
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