Dearborn Heights, MI Parking Rules: Curb Color Rules (2026)

Sec. 28-2 of the Dearborn Heights City Code makes curb house-numbering an optional courtesy, not a mandate. Subsection (a) says it is 'permissible' for a homeowner or an authorized agent to paint the residence's address number on the curb directly in front of the house, and states plainly that 'the city does not mandate the painting of residence addresses on curbs.' A homeowner can skip it entirely with no penalty for failing to paint a number.

For those who do paint a number, subsection (b) sets exact specifications. The paint must be weather-resistant, and the numerals go inside a rectangle no larger than two feet long by ten inches high, positioned within six inches of the residence's approach. Each numeral must stand six inches tall, and the full string of digits cannot run longer than twenty-one inches end to end. Only two color combinations are allowed: black numbers on a white rectangle, or white numbers on a black rectangle. Any other color scheme, oversized rectangle, or numeral outside the height range fails the section, and the city can remove the marking at the property owner's expense.

Subsection (c), added along with the rest of the section by Ordinance No. H-02-29 on January 23, 2003, separately allows public information medallions or devices for environmental education purposes to be installed on the curb or street, but only with prior approval from the director of the department of public services. That carve-out is unrelated to house numbers and does not let a resident install unapproved markings under the guise of the exception.