Royal Oak Township, MI Public Conduct: Public Alcohol Use (2026)

Section 16-179 (Ord. No. 136, 11-18-2004), titled Same-imbibing in public, sits in Chapter 16 (Offenses) of the Charter Township of Royal Oak Code. It makes it unlawful for any person to imbibe any alcoholic beverage in any public place not licensed to sell such beverage for consumption on the premises.

The key term is the definition in § 16-1: a public place is any structure, building, alley, street, house, hall, room or other place to which the public has access. That reaches streets and alleys as well as buildings open to the public. The only carve-out in § 16-179 is a place licensed to sell the beverage for consumption on the premises.

Nearby sections add to the rule. Section 16-178 makes it unlawful to illegally sell, keep for sale, offer for sale or otherwise dispense alcoholic beverages, to illegally possess an alcoholic beverage, to be found loitering in or about a place where alcohol is illegally sold or dispensed, or to represent one's age to be 21 years or over, when under 21, for the purpose of illegally obtaining alcohol.

In Township parks, § 17-39 says no person shall bring into, consume or sell alcoholic beverages in a park, with two exceptions. Alcoholic beverages can be sold by persons operating under a concession from the township, subject to the regulation and control of the director. Alcoholic beverages can be consumed at family or group picnics or functions, provided a permit for such consumption is obtained. Section 17-34 adds that a person found violating the park article can be ejected from the park and have a permit confiscated and park privileges suspended for a period the director determines.