Dearborn Heights, MI Public Conduct: Loud Party Ordinance (2026)

Dearborn Heights City Code § 20-166 defines the terms that govern the city's open house party ordinance, adopted by Ord. No. H-89-3 on January 24, 1989. A responsible person is anyone seventeen years of age or older who exercises control over a residence, including its curtilage, or a rental premises, meaning a hotel room, motel room or hall rented on a short-term basis. Alcoholic liquor is any beverage over one-half of one percent alcohol by volume under MCL 436.2, and drug means a controlled substance under the Michigan Public Health Code, MCL 333.7101 to 333.7544.

Section 20-167 makes it unlawful for that responsible person to allow an open house party where a minor possesses or consumes a drug or alcoholic beverage if the host knew or reasonably should have known of it and failed to take reasonable steps that would have prevented the possession or consumption. Section 20-168 sets the penalties: a first violation carries a fine of up to $500.00, imprisonment in the county jail for up to 30 days, or both; a second or later violation carries the same $500.00 fine cap but up to 90 days in the county jail, or both.

The Dearborn Heights Police Department investigates and cites hosts under this division, whether the residence is owned or rented. Because liability turns on what the host knew or should have known, simply being present when minors arrive with alcohol is not enough; the city must show the host had notice and did nothing effective to stop the drinking or drug use before charging under this section.