Local Laws and Ordinances

Local Laws

Outdoor Furniture: The City of East Lansing restricts all non-outdoor furniture in outdoor spaces, including any open porch, balcony, patio, or lawn. If you are found in violation, you will receive a warning giving you two to three days to remove the furniture. If the furniture is not removed, a ticket can be issued to carrying up to a $1,000 fine.

Noise: East Lansing prohibits noise which may disturb neighbors. After 11 p.m., the noise violation will be written as a misdemeanor offense. If a police officer determines your noise is too loud, a violation can be issued and may constitute a $500 fine.

Party Littering: A new, revised party litter ordinance allows Parking & Code Enforcement (PACE) officers to issue a ticket without issuing a prior warning if it is clear the litter was from the occupants/guests of the property and the offense is deemed serious. A tiered fine system for multiple party litter offenses on a property allows PACE officers to fine $50 for a 1st offense, $100for a 2nd offense, $200 for a 3rd offense and $400 for a 4th offense.

Party Guidelines

PARTY RULES

If and when you choose to host a party, MSU and the City of East Lansing ask that you do so responsibly, look out for your fellow Spartans, and be familiar with resources available to you, which include:

PARTY RISKS

The most common party offenses include:

Providing alcohol to a minor
Noise violations
Minor in possession of alcohol
Selling alcohol without a license, which includes cups
Littering
Disorderly conduct
Urinating in public
Operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated

Invite the City of East Lansing Police by:

Being belligerent and noisy
Letting underage people drink
Allowing people to leave with open containers
Having so many people over that your guests are urinating in neighbors’ yards, hanging out in the street or parking illegally

Open Container Violations

In the state of Michigan, it is illegal to have opened containers of alcohol on public property (i.e. a solo cup with alcohol on a city sidewalk or a seltzer can open while walking to a different party). This includes individuals over the age of 21. Violating Open Container Law can be a misdemeanor, including up to $500 in fines and up to 90 days in jail.

Party Litter

After a bash, pick up your trash! A party litter ordinance allows Parking & Code Enforcement (PACE) officers to issue a ticket without issuing a prior warning if it is clear the litter was from the occupants/guests of the property and the offense is deemed serious.

A tiered fine system for multiple party litter offenses on a property allows PACE officers to fine $150 for a first offense, $200 for a second offense, $300 for a third offense and $500 for a fourth offense.

Warnings will still be issued for minor offenses, while the no-warning ticket will be reserved for addressing egregious offenses, as well as properties where repeated offenses occur. To avoid a ticket for litter, simply clean up trash on your property after a party.

Noise and Enhanced Noise

When hosting a party, be considerate of your neighbors. Remember that noise travels and can be a disturbance, especially late at night. How much noise is too much? If a neighbor can stand on the edge of their property line and hear noise from your house, it is too loud.

The responding police offer has the discretion to decide if the noise coming from your property is unreasonable. A noise violation may constitute a misdemeanor offense and a fine ranges from $250 - $1000+.

Legal Assistance

In the event you find yourself involved in a situation that seems unsolvable or difficult to navigate, seek legal assistance.

There are a number of ways to seek legal assistance, all of which are designed to help lower income and less experienced people find fair solutions to their problems.

The list below outlines several options, some of which may fit your needs than others. Please click on options that you feel may work for you and you will receive further explanation and direction to that particular resource.

ASSISTANCE OPTIONS

Mediation: An alternative resolution method that is inexpensive and has proven to be effective.
Community Engagement Team - East Lansing Police Department: An alternative to seeking police services, the community engagement team works in conflict resolution, community outreach, and quality of life issues in the city (repeated noise, non-emergency disputes, etc.).
Student Legal Services: Specifically for MSU students who need legal counsel.
Student Rights Advocates: For graduate and undergraduate students who need advising for any case in the University Judicial System, where a licensed lawyer is not allowed.
MSU College of Law Legal Clinics: For MSU Community members seeking help in a variety of areas (taxpayer law clinic, housing law clinic, immigration law clinic, etc.)

If you’ve received a ticket, please see the Got a Ticket? page for payment and contact details.

For housing issues, see Housing Legal Resources.