Dearborn Heights, MI Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- City Code § 21-2(a)
- Winter hours closed
- 8:00 p.m.-7:00 a.m., Oct 1-Mar 31
- Summer hours closed
- 10:00 p.m.-7:00 a.m., Apr 1-Sep 30
- Exception
- Special permit from mayor, police chief or parks director
- Default penalty
- Up to $500 fine or 90 days jail (§ 1-8)
Summary
In the City of Dearborn Heights, it is unlawful to use, occupy, frequent or loiter in any public park between 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. from October 1 through March 31, or between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. from April 1 through September 30, unless the mayor, chief of police or parks director has issued a special permit, under City Code § 21-2(a).
Sec. 21-2. - Prohibited use of public parks during certain hours. (a)It shall be unlawful for any person to use, occupy, frequent, loiter or be in any public park in the city between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. of the following morning, from October first through March thirty-first or between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. of the following morning, from April first through September thirtieth, unless a special permit for such use or occupancy has been previously given by the mayor, chief of police or the director of parks and recreation of the city, or their duly authorized representatives. This provision shall not apply to employee of any governmental subdivision within a public park during his hours of employment by the political subdivision.
Full Breakdown
Dearborn Heights City Code § 21-2(a), carried over from § 9.221 of the 1969 Code, sets seasonal closing hours for every public park in the city. From October 1 through March 31, parks close from 8:00 p.m. until 7:00 a.m. the next morning; from April 1 through September 30, the closed hours shrink to 10:00 p.m. until 7:00 a.m. the next morning. Anyone who uses, occupies, frequents, loiters in, or is simply present in a public park during those hours violates the section unless the mayor, the chief of police or the director of parks and recreation, or their authorized representative, has already issued a special permit for that use.
The closing-hours ban does not apply to a government employee who is in the park during their own hours of employment. Section 21-1 separately adopts, by reference, the Wayne County rules and regulations governing Edward Hines Park, a county park located within the city, so that county-adopted schedule can layer additional restrictions on top of § 21-2's citywide hours. Section 21-3 adds that alcoholic liquor is barred from any city park or city property where it is posted. Because Chapter 21 parks is not among the chapters the Code lists as municipal civil infractions at § 1-11(e), a violation of the park curfew defaults to the city's general penalty at § 1-8, an offense punishable by up to a $500.00 fine, up to 90 days in jail, or both, enforced by the Dearborn Heights Police Department.
Violations & Fines
Being in a Dearborn Heights public park during closed hours, 8:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. from October through March or 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. from April through September, without a special permit violates § 21-2(a). Because Chapter 21 is not a listed municipal civil infraction class, the city's general penalty under § 1-8 applies: up to a $500.00 fine, up to 90 days in jail, or both.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
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Park Curfew in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Wayne County handle park curfew.