New Dearborn Ordinances That Residents Need To Know

Press release from the City of Dearborn:

To ensure that Dearborn residents are aware of City ordinances that may affect them, the following is a list of ordinances that have been amended or adopted since October 2019.

Possession of tobacco products

Residents are reminded that the purchase, possession and use of tobacco products by minors under the age of 18 is prohibited under ordinance 12-238, which was put into effect Jan. 22. The sale of these products to minors is also prohibited under the ordinance.

It is a misdemeanor of a minor to purchase, possess or use tobacco products, including cigarettes, non-cigarette smoking tobacco and smokeless tobacco.

The purchase, possession or use of vapor products such as e-cigarettes is punishable as a civil infraction for the first and second offenses and as a misdemeanor for the third.

The purchase, possession or use of “alternative nicotine products”–meaning non-combustible products containing nicotine, whether chewed, absorbed, dissolved, or ingested–is punishable as a civil infraction for the first and second offenses and a misdemeanor for the third.

Please note that it is a misdemeanor to sell, give, or furnish a tobacco, vapor or alternative nicotine product to a minor.

New “smart” meters required on all properties in the City

Ordinance 19-36, enacted on Jan. 22, requires every building in the City of Dearborn to have an automatic radio transmitted meter reading device–also known as a “smart” meter–to replace traditional manual-read meters.

The smart meters are used throughout the state to measure water and electricity, and transmit the meter information to a central location for data collection.

Those who do not want to upgrade to the “smart” meter may continue to use a manual-read meter for an additional charge of $35 per quarter to compensate for the cost of manually reading the meter. The charge will be included on their quarterly water bill.

Any person who refuses to allow the city, its water officers, or its contractors access to their premises for the installation, maintenance, reading or replacement of reading devices is subject to a misdemeanor.

Property owners are responsible for any chargers related to repair or replacement of any meters that become damaged or are missing.

City recreational marijuana opt-out extended until March 1, 2021

Ordinance 12-1250 extends the City’s opt-out of recreational marijuana, which was scheduled to expire on July 1, 2020. The opt-out will now continue until March 1, 2021.

Extension of the opt-out allows the City to better evaluate how the relatively new recreational law is working in cities that have opted in, and gives the City time as the State continues to develop administrative rules concerning the law.

While the opt-out is currently scheduled to expire on March 1, 2021, the ordinance allows Council to either extend or discontinue the opt-out at any time prior to its expiration.

Marijuana criminal ordinance updated to reflect penalties under state law

Ordinance Sec. 14-158 regarding the possession and use of marijuana has been updated to better reflect the penalties under state law and make the ordinance easier to read and understand.

Residents who are 21 years or older may possess, purchase, and transport no more than 2.5 ounces of marijuana, and no more than 15 grams may be in the form of marijuana concentrate. Individuals under 21 years old may not possess or use marijuana and those in violation face penalties ranging from a civil infraction to a criminal misdemeanor.

Penalties for individuals over the age of 21 range from civil infractions to criminal misdemeanors depending on the type of infraction and the amount of marijuana possessed at the time of violation.

Residents are reminded that it is unlawful to consume marijuana in a public area, and operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of marijuana is prohibited.

More information can be found in section 14-158 of the City of Dearborn Code of Ordinances. The updated version of the ordinance is expected to be finalized in August.

Cruelty to animals ordinance updated to include prohibitions on the negligent treatment of animals

Ordinance Sec. 14-6 was changed to prohibit the negligent treatment of animals causing unnecessary pain. Under the amended ordinance, it is a misdemeanor to negligently allow any animal to suffer unnecessary neglect, torture, or pain, and the abandonment of an animal without making without making provisions for the animal’s adequate care is prohibited.

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This press release was produced by the City of Dearborn. The views expressed here are the author’s own.