Sterling Heights, MI Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- City Code § 35-17
- Standard
- Alarm-warranting conduct required
- Officer duty
- Must offer chance to explain first
- Penalty
- Up to $500 fine, 90-93 days jail
Summary
Sterling Heights bans loitering in a place, time, or manner unusual for law-abiding people when it creates a justifiable, reasonable alarm for public safety, under City Code Section 35-17.
No person shall loiter in a place, at a time or in a manner not usual for law-abiding individuals, under circumstances that warrant a justifiable and reasonable alarm or immediate concern for the safety of persons or property in the vicinity. Among the circumstances which may be considered in determining whether the alarm or immediate concern is warranted is the fact that the person takes flight upon the appearance of a police officer, refuses to identify himself or herself or manifestly endeavors to conceal himself or herself or any object.
(B) Unless flight by the person or other circumstances makes it impracticable, a police officer shall, prior to any arrest for an offense under this section, afford the person an opportunity to dispel any alarm or immediate concern which would otherwise be warranted by requesting him or her to identify himself or herself and explain his or her presence and conduct.
(C) No person shall be convicted of an offense under this section if the police officer did not comply with the procedure outlined in subsection (B) or if it appears at trial that the explanation given by the person is true and, if believed by the police officer at the time, would have dispelled the alarm or immediate concern. (1978 Code, § 25-17; Ord. No. 179-G, § 1, 2-17-86) 35-17A. LOITERING; SOLICITATION.
(A) No person shall remain or wander about in a public place and repeatedly beckon to, or repeatedly stop, or repeatedly attempt to stop, or
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-46: Local legislation current through Ord. 509, passed 5-19-26).
Full Breakdown
Under Sterling Heights Code of Ordinances Section 35-17, no one may loiter in a place, at a time, or in a manner not usual for law-abiding individuals under circumstances creating justifiable, reasonable alarm for the safety of persons or property nearby. Flight from police, refusal to identify oneself, or concealing oneself or an object can support that alarm. Before arresting anyone under this section, a police officer must first give the person a chance to explain their presence and identify themselves, unless flight or other circumstances make that impracticable; a conviction fails if the officer skipped that step or the person's explanation, if believed at the time, would have dispelled the concern. Related Section 35-17A separately bans loitering to solicit prostitution, and Section 35-18 bans loitering on retail business premises for more than five minutes without a transaction.
Violations & Fines
Violating Section 35-17 is a misdemeanor under the Code's general penalty, Section 1-9: a fine up to $500, up to 90-93 days in jail, or both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be arrested just for standing around?
Is loitering near a business treated differently?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sterling Heights
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Loitering Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Macomb County handle loitering rules.