Rochester Hills, MI Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)

Section 70-116 does the defining work: 'loitering' means remaining idle or lingering in essentially one location, and the code spells that out to include loafing, lounging, standing or sitting around, walking about aimlessly, sitting in or on a parked vehicle, or simply 'hanging around.' 'Cruising' covers driving or occupying a vehicle that circles essentially one place, location or premises, including a business parking lot, longer than is reasonably necessary to enter, exit, pass through, transact business at, or frequent whatever establishment sits there. Both terms only matter under Section 70-117(7) when the loitering or cruising crosses into one of five listed effects: obstructing or interfering with the free passage of vehicles and pedestrians, causing or threatening a breach of the peace, creating an unreasonable disturbance or threat to another person's comfort or safety, blocking a business's customers from getting in or out, or molesting or interfering with someone through unsolicited remarks or gestures meant to annoy, disturb or threaten them.

A 'public place' under Section 70-116 reaches well beyond streets and parks to include the parking area serving any store, shop, restaurant or tavern. Chapter 70 also treats a related but separate scenario, staying in a business parking lot after being told to leave, or entering one posted with hours restrictions after those hours, as disorderly conduct on its own under Section 70-117(14), regardless of whether the loitering-or-cruising test in subsection (7) is met.