Code of Ordinances

About the Code

Effective August 12, 2014
The chapters and sections of the Charter Township of Waterford Code of Ordinances have been adopted in order to protect and preserve the peace, health, safety and welfare of the inhabitants of the Township. On August 11, 2014, the Township Board adopted a reformatted version of the Code to provide a more efficient and effective means of providing the Code to Waterford citizens.

The Clerk’s Office provides you 2 ways to search and review the Township Ordinances, the complete Code of Ordinances in 1 document along with a separate page guide and also each chapter of the Code of Ordinances presented in a separate document for quick access.

The following documents provide you with the complete Township Code of Ordinances as well as a page guide providing the page locations of the articles and divisions of each code chapter. Also provided for reference is a link to the previous Code of Ordinances.

Chapter 1: General Provisions

Chapter 1 (PDF) provides the general definitions applicable throughout all chapters of the Code as well as provisions for implementation of, amendment of, and supplementation to, the Code.


Chapter 2: Administration

The focus of Chapter 2 (PDF) of the Code is establishing a civil service process for police and fire (Pages 2-1 and 2-2), fair conditions of employment for administrative and managerial employees (Pages 2-2 through 2-4), and to establish a retirement system for the Township (Pages 2-4 through 2-29).


Chapter 3: Animals

Chapter 3 (PDF) of the Code provides specific regulations governing the raising and keeping of animals in the Township. In particular, there are regulations regarding nuisance dogs (Page 3-1) and the prohibition of pit bull terriers and exotic animals (Pages 3-4 through 3-8).


Chapter 3: Appendices A, B, and C

The standards of the United Kennel Club for American Pit Bull Terriers can be viewed in Chapter 3 - Appendices A, B and C (PDF).


Affidavit of Dog Breed (PDF)

Chapter 4: Buildings & Building Regulations

Chapter 4 (PDF) adopts by reference the state construction code (Pages 4-4 through 4-6). This chapter also adopts by reference the International Property Maintenance Code as the Township’s existing structures code, along with adopting additions and amendments providing additional health and safety measures to Township residents (Pages 4-8 through 4-12). Chapter 4 also establishes the procedures for addressing dangerous buildings (Pages 4-13 through 4-16) and the requirements for rental housing certification (Pages 4-16 through 4-20).

Chapter 5: Cable Television/Video Service

The focus of Chapter 5 (PDF) of the Code is to provide fair regulation of cable television service in the Township.

Chapter 6: Emergency Preparedness

Chapter 6 (PDF) establishes the administrative framework to ensure the complete and efficient utilization of all Township resources during periods of emergency and disaster.

Chapter 7: Fire Prevention & Protection

Chapter 7 (PDF) adopts by reference the International Fire Code, along with adopting additions and amendments providing additional health and safety measures to Township residents. Regulations pertaining to use and sales of fireworks can be found on the following referenced pages (Pages 7-9 and 7-10).


Chapter 8: Environmental Protection

Chapter 8 (PDF) establishes regulations for the management of floodplains with the Township.


Chapter 9: Health & Sanitation

The focus of Chapter 9 (PDF) of the Code is establishing regulatory controls for particular situations that, if left uncontrolled, shall negatively impact the health and sanitary conditions of Township residents. This chapter includes regulations for the safe disposal of abandoned refrigerators (Pages 9-1 and 9-2), for weed control (Pages 9-2 through 9-5), for rodent control (Pages 9-7 and 9-8), and for hazardous/toxic substance cleanup (Pages 9-4 through 9-6).

Chapter 10: Business Regulations, Licensing & Registration

Chapter 10 (PDF) establishes regulations and licensing requirements for specific types of businesses looking to conduct commercial operations within the Township.


Medical Marihuana Facility License Ordinance 

Medical Marihuana Facility License Amendment

Chapter 11: Offenses
Chapter 11 (PDF) specifies actions that are unlawful in the Township and establishes enforcement measures against such unlawful actions. The following types of uses are regulated through this chapter.
Regulated Uses
 Pages in Chapter 11
Offenses Affecting Governmental Functions
 Pages 11-3 through 11-5
Offenses Against the Person
 Pages 11-5 through 11-7
Offenses Against Property (i.e. Theft, Destruction of Property, and Trespass)
 Pages 11-7 through 11-12
Offenses Against Public Peace
 Pages 11-12 through 11-15
Offenses Against Public Morals (i.e. Prostitution, Gambling, Controlled Substances, Drug Paraphernalia and Model Glue)
 Pages 11-15 through 11-23
Offenses Against Public Safety (i.e. Weapons)
 Pages 11-23 through 11-27
Offenses on School Grounds
 Pages 11-27 through 11-29
Offenses Involving Minors (i.e. Curfew)
 Pages 11-29 through 11-34
Watercraft Regulations
 Pages 11-33 and 11-34

Chapter 12: Parks & Recreation

Chapter 12 (PDF) of the Code establishes the Township Recreation System (Pages 12-2 through 12-4).


Chapter 13: Planning & Economic Development

Chapter 13 (PDF) of the Code establishes regulations for:
  • Establishing a corridor improvement authority
  • Prescribing the powers and duties of the Authority
  • Correcting and preventing deterioration in the development area defined herein
  • Promoting economic growth, development and redevelopment in the development area
  • Creating an Authority Board and prescribe the powers and duties of that board
  • Such other purposes and to achieve such other lawful objectives as are provided and permitted under Act No. 280 of the Public Acts of 2005

Chapter 14: Property, Cost Recovery & Finances

Chapter 14 (PDF) of the Code provides regulations addressing lost and abandoned property (14-2 through 14-4; cost recovery (14-5 through 14-8) and finances (14-8 through 14-11).

Chapter 14.5: Right-of-Way Management

The focus of Chapter 14.5 (PDF) of the Code is establishing regulations for the Township to monitor, review and regulate activities and persons that disrupt and/or use public rights-of-way in the Township.

Chapter 15: Subdivision & Land Management Regulations

Chapter 15 (PDF) of the Code contains regulations related to the design and approval of subdivision plats (Pages 15-3 through 15-11) and approval of land divisions (Pages 15-11 through 15-15).


Chapter 15.5: Taxation

The focus of Chapter 15.5 (PDF) of the Code is establishing regulations for the purpose and with the intent to fully exercise and/or reserve the Township’s rights and options regarding exemptions from ad valorem property taxes for housing projects proposed through the State Housing Development Authority.

Chapter 16: Traffic & Motor Vehicles

Chapter 16 (PDF) of the Code adopts by reference certain chapters and corresponding sections of the Michigan Vehicle Code and establishes the responsibility for enforcing such sections (Page 16-2). There are also regulations involving the use and operation of recreational vehicles (Pages 16-2 through 16-7), traffic control on school property (Page 16-7), and shopping centers (Pages 16-8 and 16-9). This Chapter also contains regulations pertaining to bicycles and other non-motorized modes of transportation (Pages 16-9 through 16-12).

Chapter 17: Water & Sewers

The focus of Chapter 17 (PDF) of the Code is establishing regulations related to the Township’s water and sewer systems. In particular, this Chapter provides regulations for inspections (Pages 17-1 through 17-3), sewers and sewage disposal (Pages 17-4 through 17-24), waste water disposal (Pages 17-24 through 17-64), and water supply (Pages 17-64 through 17-76).

Chapter 18: Electric & Gas Supply Franchise Ordinance

Pursuant to Section 29 of Article 7 of the Michigan Constitution of 1963, use of the highways, streets, alleys and other public places for operation of a public utility requires the consent of the Township and the transaction of local business in the Township by a public utility requires that a franchise first be obtained. Chapter 18 (PDF) is adopted for the purpose of confirming and providing the process, terms and conditions for suppliers of electricity and natural gas to obtain the required consents and franchises and to fully exercise the Township's constitutional authority which includes the reasonable control of its highways, streets, alleys and public places.

Chapter 19: Cemetery Ordinance

The focus of Chapter 19 (PDF) of the Code is establishing regulations related to the Township’s Cemeteries. 

Appendix A: Zoning

The Zoning Ordinance has been adopted in accordance with Public Act 110 of 2006, Michigan Zoning Enabling Act, as amended, for the purposes of establishing zoning districts and regulating land development within Waterford’s municipal boundaries. A detailed description of the objectives of the Zoning Ordinance as well as links providing access to the full text of the Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map can be found on the Zoning Ordinance webpage.

Appendix B: Franchise

Pursuant to Section 29 of Article 7 of the Michigan Constitution of 1963, use of the highways, streets, alleys and other public places for operation of a public utility requires the consent of the Township and the transaction of local business in the Township by a public utility requires that a franchise first be obtained. Appendix B (PDF) identifies approved franchises.