Farmington Hills, MI Public Conduct: Skateboarding Rules (2026)

1 defines an 'operator' as anyone under sixteen who rides or steers a bicycle, skateboard, or roller-blades, including passengers. Any operator using a public right-of-way, public roadway, sidewalk, bicycle path, or other area open to pedestrian or vehicular traffic, including city parks, must wear a protective safety helmet that meets or exceeds Consumer Product Safety Commission standards or is otherwise approved by the police chief. The helmet must be the correct size, properly fitted, and fastened according to the manufacturer's instructions. A Farmington Hills police officer who sees an underage rider without a helmet may stop and detain the operator to check identification and issue a warning or citation.

The ordinance also bars anyone from renting or leasing a skateboard, roller-blades, or bicycle to a person under sixteen for use on those same public areas unless that person already has a protective bicycle helmet in hand. Enforcement runs through the municipal civil infraction system rather than criminal court. 00 per offense. A rider cited for riding without a helmet can get the ticket dismissed by bringing the helmet itself and its purchase receipt to the Farmington Hills Police Department within ten days of the citation. The section was adopted by Ordinance No. C-8-99 on June 14, 1999, and remains codified and enforced today.