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Public Conduct in Bay County, MI (2026)

3 rules for unincorporated Bay County, Michigan.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Bay County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Loitering Rules

Bay County makes it a misdemeanor to loiter in or about a school building or on school grounds without a legitimate reason and without written permission from a school administrator. The ban also reaches anyone loitering within 300 feet of school-owned property, unless they're on private property with that property owner's permission, and it's punishable by up to $100 or 90 days in jail.

Bay County School Loitering Ban

Some Restrictions

Bay County Code of Ordinances § 41.2316

Sec. 23-16. A person commits the crime of loitering about a school if he or she: (a)Loiters or remains in or about a school building or grounds, not having any reason or relationship involving custody or responsibility for a pupil or any other specific legitimate reason for being there, and not having written permission from a school administrator.(b)Loiters within three hundred (300) feet from...

Outdoor Smoking Restrictions

Bay County bans smoking in library buildings, on library grounds and in Library System bookmobiles, except in areas the Library System designates for it. The rule sits in the county's Library Ordinance, Part 72, alongside bans on alcohol, littering and disorderly conduct on library property. A conviction is a misdemeanor with a fine up to $500 and up to 90 days in jail.

Bay County Bans Smoking on Library Grounds

Significant Restrictions

Bay County Code of Ordinances § 72.011

Sec. 1. Smoking. A person shall not smoke in library buildings, Library System bookmobiles or on library grounds except in areas designated for such a purpose by the Library System.

Public Alcohol Use

Bay County makes it a misdemeanor to drink alcohol on any public street, highway, alley, sidewalk or public way open to vehicle or pedestrian traffic. The same ban reaches public parking lots and private lots open for private use in business, commercial or industrial zones, and a conviction can bring up to $100 in fines or 90 days in jail.

Bay County Public Alcohol Consumption Ban

Significant Restrictions

Bay County Code of Ordinances § 41.2320

Sec. 23-20. A person is guilty of a misdemeanor if he consumes liquor: (a)On public streets, highways, alleys, sidewalks or any public way open to the vehicular or pedestrian traffic; or,(b)In public parking lots or private lots available for private use in any business, commercial or industrial area as defined in the local zoning ordinance.

All Bay County ordinances

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