Ottawa County, MI Parking Rules: Overnight Parking (2026)
Key Facts
- Overnight window
- 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Where it applies
- County-owned lots only, not city streets
- Exception
- Special permit or active county/court business
- Max penalty
- $500 fine and/or 90 days jail
- Towing trigger
- Unmoved/unattended over 3 days
Summary
Ottawa County bars overnight parking, defined as 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., in any County Parking Area, meaning courthouse lots, county park lots, and other county-owned or leased parking. Section 4(b) of the County Parking Lot Ordinance requires a special permit or active county/court business to park overnight there; the rule does not reach city or township streets.
"Overnight parking" means parking after 11 p.m. and before 6 a.m. ... 4. Parking Restrictions: ... b) Unless a special permit has been issued by the Ottawa County Facilities Director and is displayed in the vehicle or an employee is working on county or court business, no person shall park a vehicle overnight in any County parking area.
Full Breakdown
m. Its restriction states that unless a special permit has been issued by the Ottawa County Facilities Director and is displayed in the vehicle, or an employee is working on county or court business, no person shall park a vehicle overnight in any County parking area. A "County Parking Area" is defined narrowly as a lot at any Ottawa County park, natural area, courthouse, or county owned or leased building, physically marked with a sign noting the Ordinance applies; this is a rule for county-owned lots, not a general on-street overnight parking ban for city or township residential streets, which each municipality regulates on its own.
A vehicle left overnight without a special permit or documented county or court business can also be towed if it sits unmoved and unattended for over three days, independent of the overnight restriction itself. The Ottawa County Facilities Director administers the Ordinance, with Sheriff's Office and Prosecutor support for enforcement.
Violations & Fines
Violating the County Parking Lot Ordinance is a misdemeanor: a responsible party can be fined up to $500 per occurrence, jailed up to 90 days, or both, plus the cost of prosecution. The Ottawa County Sheriff or a deputy can issue an Appearance Ticket directing the violator to District Court, and continued violation can be treated as a separate offense for each day it continues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I park overnight on a residential street in Ottawa County?
How do I get a permit to park overnight at a county lot?
What happens if my car is towed from a county lot?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Ottawa County
How Ottawa County compares: Cities with the Strictest Overnight Parking Rules·Compare Ottawa County to another location·View the Michigan parking rules overview
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