A quick look at some of the more unusual city ordinances. To read the complete city code, visit the city clerk’s office or look online at www.municode.com (click on “online library,” then choose Michigan, then Ann Arbor).
Cars and pedestrians
It is legal for pedestrians to cross the street against the light, or to ignore a Don’t Walk signal, so long as there is no danger or obstruction of traffic. It is illegal to drive “in such manner as to splash snow, rain, water, mud, dirt, or debris” onto pedestrians upon sidewalks or crosswalks.
Domestic violence
Ann Arbor’s domestic violence law requires police to arrest a person “when the officer has reasonable cause to believe that person has, within the previous 24 hours, assaulted a spouse, former spouse, or other person residing or having resided in the same household, if the victim has visible signs of injury from the assault or if the assailant used or threatened to use a dangerous weapon.” An arrest can be made without the victim’s making a complaint or pressing formal charges, but the suspect must be present or readily apprehended.
Related Topics:
Glue
It is illegal to “inhale, drink, eat, or otherwise introduce model glue into the respiratory or circulatory system with the intention of inducing intoxication, elation, dazed condition, paralysis, irrationality, or in any manner distorting or disturbing the eyesight, thinking process, judgement, balance, or coordinating of such person" without the direction or prescription of a physician or dentist.
Landlords and tenants
By law, landlords must give their tenants the city-produced booklet Rights and Duties of Tenants or face fines of up to $500. The booklet is available at the city clerk’s office.
Related Topics:
Landscaping
The owner of every parcel of land is responsible for "grading, planting, mowing, and raking the extension or city street right-of-way so that it is covered with turf grass with an average height not in excess of 12 inches or other ground cover vegetation with an average height not more than 36 inches above the adjacent road surface"—unless the vegetation presents a view hazard based on the criteria of AASHTO (American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials). On private property no turf grass taller than 12 inches is permitted.
Liquor
No one “shall consume liquor on the public streets, in a public parking lot” or in any business not licensed for on-premise liquor consumption. Approved events with outdoor liquor sales are exempt.
Marijuana
Possession of small amounts of marijuana is a civil infraction carrying a penalty of $40 for the first offense, and $50 for all subsequent offenses. An additional court cost of $25/ticket is assessed. In practice, the city usually chooses between enforcing its own law or the much tougher state law on the basis of the amount of marijuana found. State law makes possession of any amount of the drug a criminal offense, possibly punishable by jail time of up to one year and a fine of up to $1,000. The U-M police force and county sheriff’s deputies follow the state law.
Nonmotorized transportation
No roller skates, sleds, coasting wagons, toy vehicles, or similar devices are allowed on streets, except to cross them on a crosswalk. Bikes on the roads half an hour before sunrise or more than a half hour after sunset must have headlights and rear reflectors, and “every bicycle shall be equipped with at least one effective brake.”
Related Topics:
Pets
Owners must have their dogs under “reasonable control”—that is, leashed or confined—at all times. They are also required to clean up after their dogs on both public and private property. Owners of all pets must provide proper food, drink, and shelter from the weather for their animals, as well as the medical attention necessary to prevent the animals from suffering. Animals may not be left confined without adequate ventilation.
