Royal Oak Township, MI Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)

Section 17-35 of the Charter Township of Royal Oak Code sets the closing time for every Township park as a moving target: dusk to dawn. The ordinance prints no fixed clock hour. Two exceptions apply. The first is posted hours: if the Township puts up a sign at a park listing specific hours, those hours control instead of the dusk-to-dawn default. The second is permission: a person who has previously been given a special permit by the Recreation Department, or who is participating in a scheduled Recreation Department activity, is outside the ban.

The prohibition is written broadly. It covers using, occupying, frequenting, loitering and simply being in a park, so walking through after dark is covered as well as lingering. Chapter 17 defines "park" as any public park, or recreation or playground area, or building or facility on it, within the township, owned or maintained by the township, whether or not the area has been formally dedicated as a park. Playgrounds and park buildings therefore sit under the same curfew.

At the closing hour, everyone in the park must depart immediately. A separate sentence makes it unlawful for anyone directed to leave at closing by any Township employee to fail to depart immediately, so the order does not have to come from a police officer.

Other park rules reinforce the curfew. Section 17-44(f) bars leaving a vehicle parked on park property after park closing hours without a permit from the director of the department of recreation. Section 17-32 authorizes the recreation department to promulgate additional rules and place signage. Under § 17-47, officers of any police agency authorized to act within the township, and Township employees designated as ordinance officers or park rangers, enforce the article and can issue violation tickets.