Rochester Hills, MI Noise from Specific Sources: Bar & Nightclub Noise (2026)

Any on-premises liquor licensee in Rochester Hills that wants to allow dancing, live music, DJs, video screens or other entertainment must first obtain a dance, entertainment or dance-entertainment permit under Code § 6-34. The permit application, filed with the city clerk under § 6-36(a), must include building and site plans sufficient to show the council the facilities for off-street parking, lighting, refuse disposal and, where appropriate, 'adequate plans for screening and noise control.' The same screening-and-noise-control standard applies to the initial liquor license application itself under § 6-35(12).

The city council reviews every application at its discretion under § 6-32 and § 6-38(c), weighing factors including proximity to residences, schools and churches, character of the establishment (night club, hotel, restaurant, dance club) and crowd control. Once a permit is granted, § 6-41(b)(5) lets the council recommend revocation or nonrenewal, after a noticed public hearing, if the premises 'do not or will not reasonably soon have adequate off-street parking, lighting, refuse disposal facilities, screening, noise or nuisance control where a nuisance does or will exist.' Revocation also lies for maintaining a nuisance on the premises under § 6-41(b)(2) or for any breach of the entertainment agreement required by § 6-41(b)(7).

Notice of a revocation hearing must go out by first-class mail at least ten days before the hearing and must state the reasons for the proposed action; the licensee may present evidence and confront witnesses. Because chapter 6 does not designate these provisions as municipal civil infractions, a violation defaults to the general Code penalty in § 1-16: a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail or a $500.00 fine, or both, in addition to any permit or license revocation.