Oakland County, MI Parking Rules: Street Parking Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- State Statute
- MCL 257.674
- Fire Hydrant Setback
- 15 ft minimum
- Crosswalk Setback
- 20 ft
- Stop Sign / Signal
- 30 ft
- 48-Hour Rule
- Most cities - tow trigger
Summary
Oakland County has no county-level street parking ordinance. State law MCL 257.674 (Michigan Vehicle Code) sets baseline prohibitions on all Oakland streets: no parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, 20 feet of a crosswalk, 30 feet of a stop sign or traffic signal, on sidewalks, or in front of driveways. Each Oakland municipality adopts additional limits (time-of-day, residential permit, downtown meters). Snow-emergency parking bans are common during plowing operations.
A vehicle shall not be parked, except if necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the law or the directions of a police officer or traffic control device, in any of the following places: On a sidewalk; In front of a public or private driveway; Within an intersection; Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant; On a crosswalk; Within 20 feet of a crosswalk; Within 30 feet of the approach to a flashing beacon, stop sign, or traffic control signal located at the side of a highway.
Full Breakdown
Statewide MCL 257.674 prohibits parking in front of public or private driveways, within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, within an intersection, within 20 feet of a crosswalk (15 ft of property line where no crosswalk), within 30 feet of a flashing beacon, stop sign, or traffic-control signal, on a sidewalk, on a bridge or in a highway tunnel, and within 500 feet of an emergency scene. Charter Township of Oakland repeats these prohibitions in its Parking Restrictions chapter. Royal Oak (Chapter 716 Vehicles, Chapter 770 Zoning) adds residential-permit zones near downtown and 3-hour downtown limits. Troy (Code Ch. 107) declares snow emergencies through the City Manager that override on-street parking. Farmington Hills allows residential on-street parking unless posted no-parking. Many Oakland cities prohibit parking on the same street for more than 48 hours (triggers abandoned-vehicle process under MCL 257.252a).
Violations & Fines
Most street-parking violations are civil infractions: $20-$50 for meter or time-zone violations, $100-$250 for fire-hydrant, crosswalk, or driveway-blocking violations, $250+ plus tow for snow-emergency or 48-hour violations. MCL 257.674 violations are statewide civil infractions enforced by local police and the Oakland County Sheriff in unincorporated areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I park overnight on a residential street in Oakland County?
How long can a car sit on the street in Royal Oak or Troy?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Oakland County
Compare Oakland County to another location·View the Michigan parking rules overview
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