Saginaw County, MI Public Conduct: Loud Party Ordinance (2026)
Key Facts
- Minor defined as
- under 21 years old
- Covers
- alcohol and controlled substances
- Applies to
- homes, apartments, hotel/motel rooms, curtilage
- Liability standard
- host knew or should have known
- First offense
- up to $500 fine, 30 days jail
- Repeat offense
- up to $500 fine, 90 days jail
- Adopted
- December 14, 1993
Summary
Saginaw County Ordinance #107 makes it illegal to allow an "open house party" where a minor possesses, consumes or uses alcohol or drugs, if the person controlling the residence knew or should have known and failed to take reasonable steps to stop it. A first offense draws up to $500 and 30 days in jail plus mandatory substance abuse classes.
No person having control of any residence or premises shall allow an open house party to occur at their residence or premises if any alcoholic beverage or other drug is possessed, consumed or used at the residence or premises by any minor where the person knew or reasonably should have known that any alcoholic beverage or other drug was in the possession of or being used or consumed by a minor at the residence or premises, and/or where the person failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the possession, consumption or use of alcoholic beverage or other drug at the residence or premises.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Adopted December 14, 1993, Ordinance #107 defines an "open house party" simply as a social gathering of persons at a residence or premises (Section II(e)). "Residence or premises" reaches far beyond a private home: it covers a motel room, hotel room, apartment, condominium or other dwelling unit, including its curtilage, or a hallway, meeting room or other place of assembly, whether occupied temporarily or permanently and whether or not any compensation changes hands (Section II(d)). "Control" means any form of regulation or dominion, including a possessory right, so a tenant, temporary occupant, or event host can be liable, not only the property's owner (Section II(f)).
A "minor" is anyone under 21 (Section II(a)). The core prohibition in Section III bars any person with control of a residence from allowing an open house party where alcohol or drugs are possessed, consumed or used by a minor, when that person knew or reasonably should have known and failed to take reasonable steps to prevent it. Section IV exempts drug possession under a lawful prescription, religious observances and medical treatment, and possession incidental to a minor's lawful employment.
Violations & Fines
A first violation carries a fine of up to $500, up to 30 days in the county jail, or both, plus mandatory substance abuse awareness classes or counseling as the court directs, with the offender paying the costs (Section V(a)). Any later violation raises the jail exposure to up to 90 days, again with a fine of up to $500 or both, and the offender again bears the costs (Section V(b)).
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can be charged under Saginaw County's open house party ordinance?
Do I have to know a minor is drinking to be liable?
Are there any exceptions to the ordinance?
What is the penalty for a second open house party violation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Saginaw County
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