Hurricane Preparedness in Oakland County, MI (2026)

4 rules for unincorporated Oakland County, Michigan.

Verified from official government sources

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

Hurricane Shutters

Oakland County, Michigan has no hurricane-shutter or impact-glazing ordinance. Hurricanes do not make landfall in the Great Lakes region, and the Michigan Building Code's wind-design requirements (basic wind speed approximately 105–115 mph for Oakland County under ASCE 7) are met by standard residential construction without storm shutters. Owners in Royal Oak, Troy, Farmington Hills, Pontiac, and other Oakland County communities are not required to install storm shutters or impact-resistant windows.

No Hurricane Shutter Requirement

Few Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Roof Standards

Oakland County, Michigan has no hurricane-rated roof tie-down or uplift ordinance. The Michigan Residential Code's roof connection and fastening requirements (IRC Chapter 8) address wind, dead, and ground-snow loads typical for southeast Michigan — design ground snow load is generally 25 psf for Oakland County per Michigan-amended ASCE 7. Roofs are engineered for snow accumulation and ordinary wind, not hurricane uplift.

No Hurricane Roof-Tie-Down Requirement (Snow-Load Governs)

Few Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Flood Elevation

Oakland County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). New construction within FEMA-mapped Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) — primarily along the Clinton River, Huron River, Rouge River, and inland lakes — must have the lowest floor elevated to or above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE). Michigan's Floodplain Regulatory Authority (Part 31 of NREPA, MCL 324.3101 et seq.) reinforces this through EGLE permits, and individual cities and townships enforce floodplain ordinances locally.

FEMA NFIP Floodplain Elevation (Inland Lakes/Rivers)

Some Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Storm Debris

Oakland County has no hurricane-specific debris-management ordinance because the region experiences no hurricanes. Post-storm cleanup (severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, ice storms) is handled through standard municipal solid-waste contracts (curbside brush and bulky-item pickup), county emergency operations through Oakland County Homeland Security, and state disaster declarations under MCL 30.401 et seq. (Emergency Management Act).