West Bloomfield, MI Public Conduct: Loud Party Ordinance (2026)

Adopted by Ord. No. 63A-N on April 20, 1987, Section 15-149 is West Bloomfield Township's social host liability ordinance. It defines "open house party" broadly as a social gathering at a residence or premises other than the owner, a person with rights of possession, or their immediate family, and it defines "residence" or "premises" just as broadly to include a motel or hotel room, home, apartment, condominium or other dwelling unit and its curtilage, or a hall, meeting room or other place of assembly. "Adult" means a person 17 or older, and "minor" tracks Michigan's alcohol-possession age line under MCL 436.33b.

The prohibition in subsection (b) reaches an adult who has control of the residence, not just the titleholder, and requires two things together: actual or constructive knowledge that a minor possessed or consumed alcohol or a controlled substance at the gathering, and a failure to take reasonable steps to stop it. An adult who is unaware, or who takes reasonable steps such as confiscating alcohol or ending the party, has a defense built into the section itself. Subsection (c) carves out legally protected religious observances and legally protected educational activities.

Subsection (d) sets a two-tier penalty: a first violation carries a fine of up to $500 and up to 30 days in the county jail, while a second or later violation raises the jail exposure to up to 90 days while the fine cap stays at $500. Because the section names the adult in control of the premises rather than the minor guest, West Bloomfield police can cite a homeowner or renter who hosted the gathering even if that adult never personally supplied the alcohol or drugs.