If a trash or recycling bin has been damaged by Priority Waste please call them at 855-927-8365 or send a message to their online support at Report Damage - Priority Waste

If a lid is due to general wear and tear or old age the City will replace at $25 for a lid. Please call the City at 313 822 6200

Water Bills can be mailed to the City of Grosse Pointe Park at 15115 E Jefferson Ave Grosse Pointe Park, MI, dropped off at the brown drop box outside city hall and paid online at Online Payment Utility Billing Search | City of Grosse Pointe Park | BS&A Online (bsaonline.com)

Public Packets are posted on Thursdays prior to City Council meeting on Monday, please visit Events • Agendas and Minutes - Grosse Pointe Park • CivicClerk 

When you sign up for Smart911, you can create a secure Safety Profile. This profile is keyed off of the phone number you enter in the profile, not your location. When you call 911, the number you call from is sent to Smart911. If they have a Safety Profile attached to that phone number, the profile will display on the call takers screen. You can add as much or as little to your profile as you want, the choice is yours, but it is recommended to add any details you would want responders to know if you do have an emergency. Things like medical conditions and medications, address details, and photos of yourself, children, elderly prone to wandering, even information on your pets can be entered into the profile.

Better informed first responders are better equipped to help you. With Smart911 first responders are aware of critical medical information like Alzheimer's or allergies. Police have children's photos in case of an Amber Alert and Fire Fighters know household details.

The registration process is quick and easy. Sign up here. After completing the steps, you will have a chance to add optional information or edit the information you have provided. You must complete every step, or the service will not work until you have added and confirmed a phone number.

911 in Grosse Pointe Park, as well as all of the Grosse Pointes and Harper Woods, can send and receive text message. Currently, Detroit 911 cannot accept text messages. See where you can text 911 in Michigan.

• The 911 system uses the location reported by your phone and directs the text to the appropriate 911 center. If you are close to a boarder, your text may be directed to another center. But just like 911 phone calls, text messages may be transferred between 911 centers.
• If text-TO-911 doesn't go through, you will get a 'bounce-back' message telling you to make a voice call to 911.

• Find the message or messaging icon or menu choice on your phone. Do not use a text app you downloaded. Select 'create a new text message'. Put 911 in the to: field. Put your emergency and your location in the message body. Do not attach or send pictures or videos. Keep your message short and do not use abbreviations. After you enter your text, press send.
• The 911 center will try to reply within 20 seconds to one minute. Please remember that Text-TO-911 is not a priority service. It can be delayed.
• Continue your dialog with the 911 center, and follow their instructions.

Make a voice call when you can. Text if you can't make a voice call, or if a voice call would put you in danger. Text-TO-911 is not as fast as making a voice call. The 911 center may ask you to make a voice call if you don't know your location.

If you call 911 and hang up before the call is picked up, or if the call is silent, meaning no one talks to the call taker, 911 usually attempts to call you back. If the call back call is not answered, and the call is from a cell phone, 911 can send a text to the phone to ask if you need assistance.

• You can't send more than 160 characters.
• Your phone must be able to send a text message. You can find out by texting a friend or family member to be certain.

• Text to 911

Only 33% of the taxes paid by homeowners stays with the City. The rest is sent to the State, County, the local school district, and other entities. 

Water and sewer rates generate approximately $5.7 million in annual revenue. Of this, $3.4 million or 60% is used to purchase water supply and sewage treatment services from GLWA. The remainder is largely dedicated to personnel, equipment, and repair costs associated with maintaining the water and sewer systems, including the pump stations.

The City continues to seek outside funding sources for assistance; however, the challenge is competition from other communities seeking the same funding. In the last two years, the City has applied for the State Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund (DWRF) and has been scored 88th and 55th, placing the City outside of funding range by the State.

Grosse Pointe Park is a community with an above average median household income. This significantly reduces our ability to score high on applications for state loans and grants. Competition for the DWRF program is tough. In 2021, $250 million was available and 78 municipalities requested $768 million.

In addition, the DWRF program is a loan program, albeit one with a low interest rate of 2%. The City's denied application would have required the average utility bill to increase by $66 or $396 per year. This would have been for a period of 20 years and would only have addressed some water mains, lead service lines, and meters. There is a loan program for sewer improvements, and this is a funding source the City will pursue after analyzing the data from the recently completed sewer televising and cleaning program. However, the scoring method is similar to the DWRF program, which places Grosse Pointe Park in a disadvantage.

The City applied for the FEMA Building Resilient Communities Grant for funding of the Extreme Emergency Relief Valve, but was not awarded funding. Only 53 out of 788 applicants nationally were awarded funding.

The City will continue to apply for State funding in the loan program for water and sewer. If a project is awarded funding from the State or Federal Government, it would take more than a year to start the project after all approvals and regulatory compliance are reached.

Yes, when paying via ACH (banking account information) you will incur a $2.25 convenience fee charged through the vendor as well as, 3.00% fee if paying with credit or with debit card.

The Summer Taxes are due September 14^th, and the Winter Taxes are due February 14^th unless the dates fall on a weekend in which the due date will become the following business day. After February 14^th, late penalties will be accessed to the tax bill. Payments can be made at city hall through February 28^th for Summer and Winter Taxes.

The bill you pay contributes to capital project costs (i.e. water main breaks), your water usage is factored in, sewer services, recycling and Great Lakes Water (where we receive our water from)

Your water bill is due bi-monthly (the 10^th of every other month), which totals out to six bills a year.

1. Contact Water Billing at (313) 822-4380 at least 24 hours before closing or any change in tenancy.
2. Provide your name and phone number in case the Department of Public Works (DPW) needs access to the property.
3. You can choose to pick up your final water bill at City Hall or request it to be emailed to you.
4. Depending on your water meter, DPW may need access to the home to obtain an accurate meter reading. In some cases, the reading can be done remotely.

You can visit our Treasury webpage via our website at www.grossepointepark.org and click on the hyperlink in the middle of the webpage to take you through to Home | City of Grosse Pointe Park | BS&A Online (bsaonline.com)

Refuse includes animal and vegetable waste resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking, and consumption of food, as well as other organic matter subject to rapid decomposition. It also includes cardboard, paper, cartons, and boxes. Large items such as tree stumps, discarded furniture, appliances, toys, and clothing are considered refuse but are too large for regular pick-up. Concrete, bricks, pavers, stones, and logs are the homeowner's responsibility

Refuse

It is the duty of every owner of every lot or property to keep their lot or property free of rubbish and debris. Grosse Pointe Park City Code Section 12-1 states suitable garbage and rubbish receptacles shall be provided and used by the owner, tenant, lessee or occupant of the premises. Landlords shall be responsible for removal of all rubbish from evictions/move outs. If you need a special pick-up, please call 313-822-5100. All special pick-ups will be charged to landlords/owners.

Acceptable Recycling Materials

• Cardboard and paper bags
• Magazines, catalogs, junk mail, phone books, office paper
• Steel and tin cans
• Glass (clear and colored)
• Aluminum cans
• Plastic jugs and bottles (#1-7)
• Kitchen cookware

Unacceptable Recycling Materials

• Syringes, hypodermic needles, or medical waste
• Styrofoam, motor oil containers, large appliances
• Yard waste (sticks, grass, wood)
• Automotive parts (brake rotors, engine blocks, etc.)

Household Batteries

Priority does not accept batteries for recycling. Wayne County hosts multiple household hazardous waste days throughout the year and accepts batteries. The Grosse Pointe communities host a hazardous waste day and will accept batteries. Please check the website or call the Public Service department for dates.

Priority Waste picks up on a scheduled pickup day, not time. Residents may experience having the recycling and trash picked up later in the day rather than being used to a timeframe during the pickup day. Priority Waste will stay out until the route is finished. Priority Waste has two garbage trucks and one recycling truck that services our community. 

If your trash or recycling has not been picked up by the end of your scheduled pick-up day, please contact Priority Waste at 855-927-8365 or report the missed pickup on their live chat at Contact - Priority Waste

Yard waste will be collected from March 30th through December 11th, by Priority Waste, the City's contractor. Yard waste is typically the last collection of the day. 

Priority will not collect more than 15 bags of yard waste and each bag should not exceed 30lbs.

Yard Waste is defined as garden, lawn, or tree trimmings, leaves, and dead garden plants from the normal household. It shall not include rubbish from the work of a landscape gardener or private companies. Other items, such as mulch and dirt in the bags

All yard waste must be in paper bags or in 32-gallon containers (no lids) with handles that have a red and white yard waste sticker on them. If you choose to use containers, you may pick up stickers for your containers in the Public Service Department. Containers can be no larger than 32 gallons. Toters are not acceptable for yard waste containers. Please do not place sticks, brush, or weeds, on the top of your trash container. Improperly contained yard waste will be left at the curb. Positively NO plastic bags will be accepted. Branches and twigs must be bagged or tied in bundles no larger than 2 feet by 4 feet long or 50 pounds per bag, can, or bundle, or 100 pounds in a yard waste cart. No tree trunks or stumps will be accepted.

View and download the Weekly Rubbish Collection Schedule (PDF) to view your service day.

If Priority Waste damages a container or one goes missing during pickup, please contact Priority Waste or fill out their online form reporting the damage. To replace through the City for general wear and tear, the City charges $25 for a new lid, $75 for a new 65-gallon recycling container, $100 for a 95-gallon trash container, and $15 for a small recycling bin. Please call 313-822-6200 for assistance in purchasing new containers or ordering repairs through the City.

If a trash or recycling bin has been damaged by Priority Waste please call them at 855-927-8365 or send a message to their online support at https://www.prioritywaste.com/contact/

If a lid is due to general wear and tear or old age the City will replace at $25 for a lid. Please call the Department of Public Works at 313 822 5100

Waste and recycling containers shall not be placed out at the curb line for collection prior to 4 pm in the evening preceding the day of collection. Please have receptacles out by 7 am the day of collection. After receptacles are emptied they shall be removed from the street on the same day that collections are made.

All rubbish, recycling, and yard waste containers need to be returned to private and off the alley line within one day of pickup. Violators will be ticketed.

Priority Waste will not pickup construction material.

It shall be the duty of the owner, contractor, or other person responsible for construction work to maintain the site clean and free of excess debris during construction and to remove from the premises within a reasonable time after the completion of such construction work all surplus construction material and all refuse building material. Owners and contractors are responsible for the removal of construction debris, which should not be placed at the curb for regular pickup.

Branches & Brush

Chipping will end the week of November 17, 2025 - No Exceptions

Brush is described as tree and shrubbery trimmings not exceeding one inch in diameter.  Brush shall be cut into 4-foot lengths and tied in bundles no larger than 18 inches in diameter and no heavier than 50 pounds.  Do not mix brush with yard waste. Only grass clippings can be mixed with leaves at the curb. The City offers monthly chipper services the first full week of each month. Pickup is the same as your regular trash day. If the first full week includes a holiday, pickup will be moved to the following week to avoid any delays.

Chipper brush is defined as tree and shrubbery trimmings, cuttings, branches, and limbs exceeding one inch, but not more than 4 inches in diameter, with all stumps and roots removed for disposal by the chipper machine. Length shall be 7 to 10 feet long with stub ends to the curb for chipping. The chipper will handle branches the size of a fist. Small sticks should be broken down and put into compost containers or compost bags. The chipper will not pick up any small piles or pieces that are left out at the curb.

Hazardous wastes need to be disposed of properly. A hazardous product can be toxic, flammable, corrosive, or react with other substances to create harmful fumes or explosions. These products are labeled with DANGER, WARNING, CAUTION, CORROSIVE, or FLAMMABLE on the container. If you need to dispose of hazardous waste call Wayne County's Resource Recovery Coordinator at 734-326-3936. The City also participates in an area wide hazardous waste disposal day with the other Grosse Pointes and Harper Woods. This takes place in the spring of each year. In addition, Wayne County hosts multiple Household Hazardous Waste Days throughout the year.

Residents can place up to three (3) bulk items out for collection each week through its contractor Priority Waste. Bulky waste items can be fixtures, furniture, storm doors, door walls, toilets, sinks, and carpets and pads (rolled up and bundled, 4ft in length and weighing less than 50 pounds each). One bundle equals one bulky item. Mattresses must be covered in plastic. 

Bulk pickup such as moveouts, construction debris and oversized items must order a dumpster or dumpster in a bag from your local hardware store. The City does not have the ability or equipment for bulk pickup. A good rule of thumb is Priority will pick up 100 pounds of material or less broken up in pieces.

Priority recognizes the following holidays, please click the link for more information. Priority Holiday Collection Schedule

 No, but you can pay it in person at the court or online at, https://payments.g2gcloud.com/DC32B/706

No. The Municipal Court handles general civil cases with damages up to and including $3000. The Court also handles landlord/tenant matters. The judge can grant possession of property and any amount of judgment on landlord tenant cases. 

District Court level cases that fall outside the jurisdiction of municipal court must be filed in the circuit court of the county where the municipal court is located. 

Monday – Saturday

9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Sundays and holidays are free.

Complete applications for Planning Commission or Zoning Board of Appeals decisions must be turned in one month prior to the next scheduled meeting.

The City Council, in accordance with section 4.18 of the City Charter, serves as the Zoning Board of Appeals for the City of Grosse Pointe Park.

Yes, the City offers conceptual review meetings for prospective development and permit applicants. Call 313-822-4365 or email building@grossepointepark.org for more information. 

Payment Drop-Box
Drop-boxes are located inside the City Hall lobby and outside the building by the library book-return box. Please place your cash or check in an envelope and deposit into the drop-box. If you have any questions about the drop box, please contact City hall at (313) 822-6200.

At the Counter
Building permit fees can be paid at the front counter located on the second floor of City Hall at 15115 E Jefferson Ave, Grosse Pointe Park MI, 48230. City Hall is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday for making payments. Payments can be in the form of cash, check, or credit card. Credit cards are charged a 3% service fee.

Online or over the phone payments are not available at this time.

Yes, permits are available at the Department of Public Services, located on the lower level of City Hall. 

These are codes which regulate what a property owner can do with their property, such as the size and location of a new home or a home addition. The city zoning regulations are available for review on the City's website.

Improvements which do not comply with zoning regulations may sometimes be approved through a formal variance application. A public hearing is held and variances are only approved by the zoning board of appeals. Application forms and additional information can be obtained from the Public Services Department.

Zoning codes regulate how a given section of land can be used and what type of structures can be built on a certain location. Zoning is used to govern how a building will function in its potential location within a zoning district. Building codes deal exclusively with the structures built on your lot. These codes work to ensure the safety and accessibility of your home or building according to the International Building Code also known as the International Residential Code IRC). These building codes establish a set of rules that are made to ensure the level of performance, quality of standards, and safety any structure must adhere to.

Every sign requires a permit to be installed unless the code governing signs specifically exempts it. The code also regulates the placement, size, number, and construction of signs. These regulations can vary depending on the type of sign and the zoning district. Sign regulations are contained within Article 7 of the City's Zoning Ordinance.

If you need assistance determining whether a sign permit is required, you can contact the Department of Public Services at 313-822-4635.

Yes, a change of ownership requires a new Certificate of Occupancy. Please call 313-822-4365 to schedule an inspection.

All residential rental units must have a valid Certificate of Occupancy. Certificates are valid for a two-year period from the date of initial inspection, or upon any change of occupancy or use occurring more than one year after the date of the initial inspection. Additionally, a Landlord Business License must be obtained and renewed annually. 

Yes, commercial properties are required to have a valid Certificate of Occupancy. Certificates are valid for a two-year period from the date of initial inspection, or upon any change of occupancy or use occurring more than one year after the date of initial inspection. Businesses occupying the property must annually obtain/renew a Business License.

It is the property owner/agent's responsibility to schedule inspections for certification. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 313-822-4365. It is the property owner/agent's responsibility to inform tenants prior to the inspection. A tenant that is unaware of the inspection and refuses entry results in a lockout fee.

Yes, it can be found here.

Residential properties are inspected Monday-Thursday between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm.

Commercial properties are inspected Tuesday-Thursday between 12:30 pm and 3:30 pm.

Utilities must be turned on at the time of inspection. This includes electricity, gas and water.

Call 313-822-4365 to schedule all inspections.

The complete fee schedule is available here. The fee schedule for the Certificate of Occupancy program is designed to encourage owners/agents to be proactive in certifying properties in a timely manner. All fees are invoiced:

• Certification Inspection Fee: A  base fee is charged for each inspection and is dependent on the number of units at a given property. Included in this is an initial and final inspection. Properties that require additional inspections beyond the initial and final are subject to additional fees.
• Failure to Renew/Obtain: An additional fee is charged in addition to the Certification Inspection Fee for a failure to renew or obtain a required Certification. 
• Lockout/Late Cancellation Fee: An additional fee charged for missed appointments or inspections cancelled on the day of the scheduled appointment. 
• Enforcement Fees: Failure to obtain a Certificate, or correct violations associated with the Certificate renewal process may result in additional fines and penalties.

If your water is rusty let the cold water in your laundry tub at the lowest point of your home run until the water is clear or an outside house. Most of the time it is sediment that needs to be cleared out. 

Please help the City by clearing the catch basins of debris. 

Call the Police NON Emergency number at 313-822-7400 a D.P.W. employee is on call 24/7

Bike Licenses are available from Dispatch at the Department of Public Safety.  The cost is $5.00.  Please bring the Make, Model. Color and Serial Number of the bike, or just bring the bike.

Traffic Crash Reports may be purchased online from CLEMIS. In order to purchase a report, you will need either the report number and date of the crash or the crash date, and the license number and date of birth for one of the drivers involved in the crash.   If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact the Records Bureau at 313-822-4416

Click here for more information:  CLEMIS Purchase Crash Reports

In order to figure out where you vote at you will need to know your polling location and precinct number. The city has different precincts which are based on your address. If you are in precinct numbers 1 or 2 you will vote at the Tompkins Community Center. If you are in precincts 4, 5, 6, and 7 you will vote at the Lavins Activity Center.

In November 2022, Michigan voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment that gives voters the right to vote early and in person at early voting sites before Statewide and Federal elections. Communities may also choose to provide early voting for local elections.

Early voting allows a voter to cast a ballot before Election Day, in an experience similar to voting on Election Day.

During the early voting period, voters are issued a ballot and can then insert their ballot directly into a tabulator at their early voting site.

The "Absentee Voter" (AV) list is comprised of voters who have asked that an absentee ballot APPLICATION be mailed to them every election. The Clerk's Office must receive a completed APPLICATION each election cycle before issuing a ballot to the voter. Many seniors, snowbirds or voters who are often out of town on Election Day ask to be placed on this list. Ballots are mailed to the address indicated by the voter on the completed application.

The "Permanent Ballot" list is a NEW list mandated by Proposal 22-2. Voters who ask to be placed on this list will complete ONE application that will remain on file permanently and they will AUTOMATICALLY receive an ABSENTEE BALLOT each election. Ballots are mailed to the voter's registered address unless they notify the Clerk's office prior to each election.

NO. However, Absentee Ballot APPLICATIONS may be requested on behalf of a family member.

NO. It is a violation of Michigan Election Law to possess or return an absentee ballot that is not yours UNLESS the voter is a member of your immediate family or household.

If a voter is unable to accept or return an absentee ballot due to a physical limitation, disability or illness, please contact the Clerk's Office for assistance.

Absentee Voting 

• Absentee Voting uses a ballot issued to the voter in person at the Clerk's office or by mail. 
• Absentee Ballots are returned in a specially designed envelope that requires the voter's signature and are tabulated by trained election inspectors after the commencement of Early Voting.
• Voters who have made a mistake or desire to change their vote on a ballot that has already been returned, may request a new ballot until the day before early voting begins. The previously issued ballot will be spoiled and the voter will be issued a new ballot. After this date, returned absentee ballots cannot be spoiled or re-issued as processing will have already begun.

Early Voting

• Early voting follows the same process as on Election Day.
• Voters mark and tabulate their ballots in person at ONE designated Early Voting location.
• Ballots cast in person by the voter during Early Voting CANNOT be retrieved or spoiled once accepted by the tabulator and the voter CANNOT vote again.

Voters in possession of a photo ID must present it in order to vote. Acceptable forms of photo ID include the following:

• Michigan driver's license or state-issued ID card
• Driver's license or personal identification card issued by another state.
• Federal or state government-issued photo identification
• U.S. Passport
• Military ID with photo
• Student identification with photo from a high school or accredited institute of higher learning
• Tribal identification with photo
• Concealed pistol license

Voters are not required to possess a photo ID to vote in Michigan. Voters without a photo ID may sign an affidavit and will be issued a ballot.

When renting out the Golden Gymnasium it is important to know that you are responsible for bringing your own equipment such as basketballs, or pickleballs. The city of Grosse Pointe Park does not provide balls for gym rentals. The city will lower the rims and put out the nets for those to play pickleball and volleyball. Also, another important thing to know is that there is to be no food or drink other than water allowed in the gymnasium. 

The current hours for the Lavins Activity Center are Monday - Saturday opening from 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM. Sundays the hours are 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM.

To sign up for programs, events, and activities within Parks and Recreation please visit our Civic Rec recreational homepage at the link below.

 Catalog - City Grosse Pointe Park, MI

Yes, you are able to check the calendar for the Tompkins Community Center. First you must be logged into your Civic Rec account. Then you must check your household account by verifying that your residency is marked as "resident". If it isn't you will need to change it to "resident". After you change it save the change in your account and then click on Facility Rentals and click on Windmill Pointe Park and then the Tompkins Community Center tab. The calendar will then begin to appear in the middle of your screen. Once it appears you can click on a date that is available to begin the online reservation process. You will follow each prompt and then use a credit or debit card to pay for your reservation.

In order to check to what movies are playing you can either call the Parks and Recreation main phone's number at 313-822-2812 and select option 1 or you can visit the link below which will take you to current movies out in our theaters. Using the link below you can also purchase tickets for the movies too.

https://www.internet-ticketing.com/websales/sales/GROGRO/start%E2%80%8B

Section 8-33 of the City Code states: “No person shall keep or harbor any dog 4 months or older within the city without first obtaining a license from the Public Safety Department”.  Also, Section 8-32 states:  “Any person who shall permit any dog to remain about any premises owned or occupied by said person for a period of five days shall be deemed the owner of such dog for the purposes of this Code.”

You must obtain and present documentation that shows the dog has been properly immunized for rabies at the time of application for a license.  A dog license costs $10.00 and is valid for one year from the date of purchase.

You must obtain and present documentation that shows the dog has been properly immunized for rabies at the time of application for a license.  A dog license costs $10.00 and is valid for one year from the date of purchase.

After thoroughly searching your property if you cannot locate your dog call the Public Safety

Department and inquire if we have had contact with or impounded your dog. If the Public Safety Department has no record of interacting with your dog you can call the Grosse Pointe Animal

Adoption Society at (313) 884-1551. There is always the possibility that a neighboring agency found and impounded your dog.

We will make every effort to contact you and/or re-secure your dog in your yard if possible, weather permitting. If we cannot do so, we will impound the dog.  We also try to post a note on our Facebook page when we have a dog.

Your dog will be temporarily kept at the Public Safety Department until it can be transferred to the Grosse Pointe Animal Adoption Society for housing.  If your dog is still at the Department, you can claim your dog at the front desk.  If your dog has been transferred to GPAAS, you must pick up there dog at their facility and pay the applicable boarding and/or medical fees.

Yes. They are civil infractions for having an unlicensed dog (section 8-33) and for a dog running at large (Section 8-34).

For each of the above, the first offense is a $50 fine.  A second offence within 36 months of the first is a $100 fine. A third offense within 36 months of the first is a $150 fine.  A fourth offense within 36 months of the first will be considered a misdemeanor and can carry a fine of up to $500.

Grosse Pointe Animal Adoption Society will hold all unclaimed strays for 4 business days, not including the day the dog arrives, weekends or holidays. After this time has elapsed the Grosse Pointe Animal Adoption Society will assess and determine if the animal will move to an adoption program. If the dog is determined to be too aggressive and a danger to staff, people or other animals will be humanely euthanized.

• Current year dog license obtained from the Public Safety Department.
• Current proof of Rabies vaccination.
• Current proof of DHLPP vaccination.
• Current proof of Bordetella vaccination.
• Dog must be 4 months or older due to need for vaccinations.

The pass for the dog park can be obtained from Public Safety Administration located on the 3rd floor of our building during normal business hours. The cost for the park pass is $40 per year. The passes expire on December 31st.

You can call the Parks and Recreation Department at (313) 822-2812.  The application for the dog park has a list of rules on the backside of the document.

Section 8-34 states:  “No person owning, possessing or having charge or responsibility of any dog four months of age or older shall permit such dog to be at large, unless it is wearing the dog tag issued for it and is on a leash held by a person capable of restraining the actions of the dog. A dog shall be deemed to be at large, unless it is in a private building or within a completely fenced in area or is in a container or vehicle so closed as to prevent the dog's exit without a person's assistance.”  What does this mean?  A dog is considered at large unless it is confined in a building, a completely fenced areas, or is in a vehicle or container.

Yes, but the dog must be licensed, on a leash, and the leash must be held by a person that can restrain the dog.  You may not take your dog for a walk and have the dog running free, even if it is a well trained dog and always listens to commands.

Section 8-35 requires people having charge of a dog to remove and dispose of any dropping from any public or private property in a sanitary manner.

Only cats that have been deemed vicious AND are at large may be impounded.  A vicious cat is defined in Section 8-96 as  “…a cat with a known propensity, tendency, or disposition to attack unprovoked, to cause injury to, or otherwise threaten the safety of human beings or domestic animals, including without limitation any cat which attacks or bites a human being or domestic animal.”

Unless a specific exemption applies, all owners of real and personal property in the city pay property taxes. Real property represents land and buildings. Personal property represents the furniture, fixtures, and equipment of businesses in Grosse Pointe Park

Property taxes are calculated by multiplying two factors- the taxable value of the property and the millage rate.

The taxable value of a property is determined by the Assessor's Office. Under Proposal A, which was approved by voters in 1994, taxable value cannot increase faster than 5% per year or the rate of inflation, whichever is less, until the property transfers ownership. In the year following a transfer of ownership of property, the property's taxable value is half of the property's market value. Physical changes to a property (i.e., new construction) can also result in a property's taxable value increasing faster than the rate of inflation.

Each governing body that levies property taxes sets its own millage rate annually. Usually, a city charter or a vote of the electorate has determined the maximum number of mills each governing body can levy. A mill represents $1 per $1000 of taxable value.

A Principal Residence Exemption allows for up to 18 mills of local school operating taxes to be exempted from taxation. A Principal Residence is defined in MCL 211.7dd(c) as the "...[one] place where an owner of the property has his or her true, fixed, and permanent home to which, whenever absent they intend to return and that shall continue as a principal residence until another principal residence is established."

Every property owner has the right to appeal their assessments. However, the opportunity only comes once a year and if the opportunity is missed, there isn’t another opportunity for that year. Your yearly Assessment Change Notice will provide you with the dates and times for the March Board of Review.

If you wish to contest your assessment, you must make an appointment to appeal to the March Board of Review. A nonresident may protest to the Board of Review by a letter that is accompanied by a completed Board of Review petition. Protest at the March Board of Review is necessary to protect your right to further appeals to the Michigan Tax Tribunal for valuation and exemption appeals. In other words, the Michigan Tax Tribunal will not hear cases that have not first been before the local March Board of Review.

The current sales information for your neighborhood may show no value increase over last year's value. However, the taxable value is tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and calculated annually causing an increase in your taxable value. Until your taxable value meets your assessed value, your taxable value will continue to increase the CPI or 5%, whichever is less.

In Michigan, an Assessor is responsible for determining the value of properties for the purpose of taxation. The assessment process can be summarized as follows:

1. Locate and identify all taxable property
2. Inventory all property noting specific characteristics of each parcel
3. Estimate market value
4. Determine tax status - taxable or exempt
5. Calculate assessed, capped, and taxable values
6. Prepare certified assessment roll
7. Notify property owners of changes to their assessments
8. Defend values when appealed
9. Prepare tax roll

The Michigan legislature has defined true cash value as the usual selling price of a property.

Assessed Value is 50% of a property's True Cash Value. The assessed value can fluctuate annually based on changes in the real estate market, property improvements, or neighborhood conditions.

The capped value is a mechanism designed to limit the annual growth of a property’s taxable value, preventing sudden spikes in property taxes. The capped value is calculated based on the prior year's taxable value, adjusted by the rate of inflation or 5%, whichever is lower. It ensures property taxes do not increase too rapidly when property values rise, providing stability to taxpayers.

Assessed value change vary according to the individual characteristics of a house in relation to sales in your area. Building style, size and amenities such as porches, decks, garages, and extra bathrooms affect value estimates.

The assessed value is 50% of the True Cash Value (TCV), which reflects the property’s market value as determined by the Assessor—not necessarily the recent sales price. The Assessor calculates TCV based on market conditions, property characteristics, and comparable sales—not solely on individual sale prices. This means the sales price you paid is just one factor in determining market value, and it might differ from the Assessor’s valuation. While we hope your value estimate is close to your sale price, it is an estimate and may not be the same as your recent sale.

In Michigan, the Assessed Value (AV) of a property is set at 50% of its True Cash Value (TCV), which reflects the property's estimated market value as of December 31 of the previous year (Tax Day). To determine TCV, Assessors use various methods, including the sales comparison approach (comparing recent sales of similar properties), the cost approach (estimating the cost to replace the property), or the income approach (for income-producing properties). These methods are then adjusted to reflect local market conditions.

The City is targeting to replace approximately 100 lead services each year. There is an ongoing, grant funded, verification project taking place throughout the City to verify the service material at the stop box, as well as within the home, to increase the likelihood of potential funding opportunities for replacement. Unfortunately, at this time, we are not able to give a timeline in which the service at your home will be replaced.

Since having lead in your drinking water is directly related to when your home was built, the service line and interior plumbing materials, it's important to understand:

What sources of lead are in your home

How lead gets into drinking water

How you can reduce your exposure to lead in drinking water

We encourage you to schedule a verification time with a member of the City DPW to determine what type of service line you have. To schedule a 30-minute appointment call (313)881-4838. You may also visit EGLE’s List of Certified Laboratories for information on water testing.

• The more time water has been sitting in your home’s pipes, the more lead it may contain. Therefore, if your water has not been used for several hours, run the water before using it for drinking or cooking. This flushes lead-containing water from the pipes.
• Additional flushing may be required for homes that have been vacant or have a longer service line.
• If you do not have a lead service line, run the water for 30 seconds to two minutes, or until it becomes cold or reaches a steady temperature. 
• If you do have a lead service line, run the water for at least five minutes to flush water from your home of building’s plumbing and the lead service line.
• In addition to flushing, consider cleaning your faucet aerator to remove trapped debris.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recommends that Michigan households use a certified lead-reducing drinking water filter (NSF/ANSI 53 standard) if your home has or if you are uncertain if it has a source of lead, such as one of the following: 

1. Lead or galvanized plumbing. 
2. A lead service line carrying water from the street to their residence. 
3. Copper plumbing with lead solder before 1988 (EGLE recommendation).  
4. Old faucets and fittings that were sold before 2014. 
5. Use the filter until you are able to remove sources of household lead plumbing, such as: 
   • Replace pre-2014 faucets
   • Get a lead inspection and replace needed plumbing.
   • Filter Information

You can purchase one at any hardware or big box store (Meijer, Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes, etc).  Look for filters that are tested and certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 for lead reduction. If this information is not on the box, look at the information inside the box (fine print on a folded piece of paper). Learn more about choosing a lead water filter. For filters to work properly, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation and maintenance.

Keep in mind that drinking water is not the only potential source of lead exposure. Because lead can be found in air, soil, and paint, contact the Wayne County Department of Health, Human and Veterans Services at (313) 224-0810 or your family doctor or pediatrician, for more information.

Running you water to flush out lead does not mean you need to let the water run down the drain. You can use your water by doing laundry, watering house plants, or using the shower or toilet to flush the lead-containing water from your service line. 

Public Act 300 of 1949 (MCL 257.1-257.923) is the Michigan Motor Vehicle Code (MVC) and is state law.   This is the traffic law in the State of Michigan.  Grosse Pointe Park has also adopted the MVC by reference as a local ordinance  in section 40-1 of the City Code allowing citations issued to be adjudicated in our local Municipal Court.

There is also the Michigan Uniform Traffic Code for Cities, Townships and Villages (UTC).  This is a supplemental document with additional regulations for traffic that may be adopted by a local unit of government.   Grosse Pointe Park has adopted this document as local ordinance in section 40-4 of the City Code.

Grosse Pointe Park has also adopted additional traffic regulations.  These may be found in Article II of Chapter 40 in the City Code.

Stop signs are used to assign a right of way at an intersection where the general rule of First-Come First-Served will not, or would not work well.  

When there are no traffic control devices (yield sign, stop sign, or traffic signal), the vehicle arriving at the intersection first has the right-of-way.  If two vehicles arrive at an intersection at the same time, the vehicle on the right has the right-of-way.  If other factors exists, including  traffic volumes, restricted sight lines, crash data, or the general rule just will not work well, traffic control devices can be installed.  

The Michigan Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MMUTCD) list specific requirements that should be met before a stop sign can be installed.

In Grosse Pointe Park, the most common installation of stop signs in on residential streets, giving the right of way to traffic on the cross or through streets.

Four-way, or multi-way stop signs are used in only a few specific instances including as a temporary fix while a traffic signal is installed, five or more reported crashes in a 12-month period that are susceptible to correction by a multi-way stop installation, or an engineering study shows vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle traffic reach specific levels but a traffic signal is not warranted.

No, stops signs are used to assign right of way at any intersection, not control speed.  In fact, the Michigan Manual of Traffic Control Devices (MMUTCD) prohibits the installation of stop signs to control speed.

Studies have shown that stop signs only decrease speeds within 200 feet of the stop sign, and tend to increase speeds elsewhere. Drivers perceive the stop signs as an inconvenience and tend to increase their speed to make up for having to stop.

In general, speed limits in Michigan are set in the Michigan Motor Vehicle Code, MCL 257.627.  

• Basic Speed Law. This requires operating a vehicle  “…at a careful and prudent speed not greater than nor less than is reasonable and proper, having due regard to the traffic, surface, and width of the highway and of any other condition existing at the time. An individual shall not operate a vehicle on a highway at a speed greater than that which will permit a stop within the assured, clear distance ahead.”
• Prima Facia Speed Limits.  If no speed limit is posted the Prima Facia limits apply:  Residential and Business Districts are 25 mph,  other roads and highways are 55 mph.
• Posted Speed Limits.  Other speed limits may apply and these are all posted.  These posted limits are specified in MCL 257.627.   

The posted speed limits that are set by statute may be changed if the change is supported by a speed study.  In a speed study change, the 85^th percentile speed is determined and the speed limit can be set to the nearest 5 mph increment.   This means that 85% of vehicles are traveling at or below this speed, 15% are traveling faster.  Enforcement action is then directed at this 15% of drivers.

Except for a few specific exceptions, the lowest speed limit that can be set is 25 mph.

The majority of roads in Grosse Pointe Park are in residential and business districts and fall under the minimum Prima Facia speed limit.  Kercheval from Balfour to Cadieux is a posted limit of 30 mph.  Jefferson Ave and Mack Ave are county roads and the city has no control over the speed limits on these roads.

The Public Safety can assign an officer to monitor speed at specific location as staffing and response requirements allow.  Please understand that having an officer stationed at one spot all day is not something we can do.

The Department can also conduct a speed study to determine how bad a speeding issue may be at a specific location.  Experience has shown that on residential street the 85^th percentile speed usually falls between 24 mph  and 28 mph, with less than 5% travelling over 30 mph.  

Tinting is limited to the rear side windows, and the rear window if the vehicle has outside mirrors on both sides, and the top 4 inches of the windshield, front driver, and front passenger side windows. There is a limited exception for medical necessity with a doctor's “prescription”, which allows for tinting to be applied to the front side windows as well. Michigan does not have a specification for the darkness of the window application but does prohibit applications with a solar reflectivity greater than 35%.

For the medical exemption, the driver must be in possession of a letter signed by a physician or optometrist indicating that the  window treatment or application is a medical necessity as required by MCL 257.709(3)(e). However, the  window treatment or application shall not interfere with or obstruct the driver's clear vision of the highway or an intersecting highway.

Traffic Laws FAQs