Michigan township governments have the authority to adopt and enforce local ordinances (see MCL 41.181). The most effective ordinance is one that is enforced.

With the exception of township zoning, Michigan statutes do not convey who must enforce an adopted township ordinance. The township board has the responsibility to determine how and who will enforce township ordinances. By adopting an ordinance enforcement officer ordinance, the township board can specify ordinance enforcement procedures. Ordinance enforcement officers however, do not have the same power as a police officer. Township boards may also hire or contract ordinance enforcement through local police departments, another governmental unit, county sheriff or a private individual.

Ordinance Violations
Townships have three general approaches to handling violations: civil injunctive actions in circuit court, criminal actions in district court, and civil infraction actions in district court. What is the best prosecutorial approach to use? Oftentimes, there is no choice in the method of prosecution—the ordinance will dictate the enforcement method. Read more about ordinance enforcement and violations in the article linked below.

Enforcing Your Township Ordinances (.pdf)
Michigan Township News, July 2004

Advantages of Municipal Civil Infractions (.pdf)
2007 MTA Conference Handout 

State and Municipal Civil Infractions (.pdf)
An overview prepared by the State of Michigan, including links to some court forms

Municipal Civil Infraction Citation Forms (.pdf)
Includes a list of approved printing companies as of 2006

Municipal Civil Infraction Ordinance Violation Bureau Ordinance

Ordinance Enforcement Officer Ordinance

Parking Violation Bureau Ordinance