Mich. Comp. Laws » Michigan Compiled Laws / Chapter 117 / Act 279 of 1909
Michigan Compiled Laws

Mich. Comp. Laws § 117.4i (2026)

Permissible charter provisions.

✓ current as of July 2026
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THE HOME RULE CITY ACT


Act 279 of 1909


117.4i Permissible charter provisions.

Sec. 4i.

    Each city may provide in its charter for 1 or more of the following:

    (a) Laying and collecting rents, tolls, and excises.

    (b) Regulating and restricting the locations of oil and gasoline stations.

    (c) The establishment of districts or zones within which the use of land and structures, the height, area, size, and location of buildings, the required open spaces for light and ventilation of buildings, and the density of population may be regulated by ordinance. The zoning ordinance provisions applicable to 1 or more districts may differ from those applicable to other districts. If a city is incorporated, or if territory is annexed to a city incorporated under this act, the zoning ordinance provisions applicable to the territory within the newly incorporated city or the annexed territory must remain in effect for 2 years after the incorporation or annexation unless the legislative body of the city lawfully adopts other zoning ordinance provisions.

    (d) Except as otherwise provided in this subdivision, the regulation of trades, occupations, and amusements within city boundaries, if the regulations are not inconsistent with state or federal law, and the prohibition of trades, occupations, and amusements that are detrimental to the health, morals, or welfare of the inhabitants of that city. This subdivision is subject to the local government occupational licensing act.

    (e) The regulation or prohibition of public nudity within city boundaries. As used in this subdivision, "public nudity" means knowingly or intentionally displaying in a public place, or for payment or promise of payment by any person including, but not limited to, payment or promise of payment of an admission fee, any individual's genitals or anus with less than a fully opaque covering or a female individual's breast with less than a fully opaque covering of the nipple and areola. Public nudity does not include any of the following:

    (i) A woman's breastfeeding of a baby whether or not the nipple or areola is exposed during or incidental to the feeding.

    (ii) Material as that term is defined in section 2 of 1984 PA 343, MCL 752.362.

    (iii) Sexually explicit visual material as that term is defined in section 3 of 1978 PA 33, MCL 722.673.

    (f) Licensing, regulating, restricting, and limiting the number and locations of billboards within the city.

    (g) The initiative and referendum on all matters within the scope of the powers of that city and the recall of city officials.

    (h) A system of civil service for city employees, including employees of that city's board of health, and employees of any jail operated or maintained by the city. Charter provisions providing for a system of civil service for employees of a local health board are valid and effective.

    (i) Subject to sections 4p and 4u, a system of compensation for city employees and for the dependents of city employees in the case of disability, injury, or death of city employees.

    (j) The enforcement of police, sanitary, and other ordinances that are not in conflict with the general laws.

    (k) The punishment of persons who violate city ordinances other than ordinances described in section 4l. The penalty for a violation of such a city ordinance must not exceed a fine of $500.00 or imprisonment for 90 days, or both. However, unless otherwise provided by law, the ordinance may provide that a violation of the ordinance is punishable by imprisonment for not more than 93 days or a fine of not more than $500.00, or both, if the violation substantially corresponds to a violation of state law that is a misdemeanor for which the maximum period of imprisonment is 93 days. In addition, a city may adopt section 625(1)(c) of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.625, by reference in an adopting ordinance and shall provide that a violation of that ordinance is punishable by 1 or more of the following:

    (i) Community service for not more than 360 hours.

    (ii) Imprisonment for not more than 180 days.

    (iii) A fine of not less than $200.00 or more than $700.00.

History: Add. 1929, Act 126, Eff. Aug. 28, 1929 ;-- CL 1929, 2239 ;-- Am. 1937, Act 309, Eff. Oct. 29, 1937 ;-- Am. 1939, Act 175, Eff. Sept. 29, 1939 ;-- Am. 1941, Act 10, Imd. Eff. Mar. 5, 1941 ;-- Am. 1941, Act 283, Imd. Eff. June 17, 1941 ;-- CL 1948, 117.4i ;-- Am. 1957, Act 131, Imd. Eff. May 25, 1957 ;-- Am. 1963, Act 166, Eff. Sept. 6, 1963 ;-- Am. 1991, Act 175, Eff. Mar. 30, 1992 ;-- Am. 1994, Act 17, Eff. May 1, 1994 ;-- Am. 1994, Act 313, Imd. Eff. July 21, 1994 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 179, Imd. Eff. Apr. 19, 1996 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 55, Eff. Oct. 1, 1999 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 7, Imd. Eff. Feb. 15, 2012 ;-- Am. 2014, Act 183, Imd. Eff. June 20, 2014 ;-- Am. 2017, Act 214, Imd. Eff. Dec. 20, 2017 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 498, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 2018

Compiler's Notes:

    Enacting section 1 of Act 498 of 2018 provides:

    "Enacting section 1. This amendatory act is retroactive and takes effect January 1, 2018."

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 50 cases (4 in the last 5 years), 1959–2024 · leading case: Adams Outdoor Advert. v. East Lansing, 483 N.W.2d 38 (Mich. 1992).
Sort: Relevance Newest Treatment
Adams Outdoor Advert. v. East Lansing, 483 N.W.2d 38 (Mich. 1992). · cites it 22× “Further, in construing the same section of the home rule act at issue here, MCL 117.4i; MSA 5.2082, we have said that the act is comprehensive, "`but it leaves many things to be implied from the power conferred.”
City of Riverview v. Sibley Limestone, 716 N.W.2d 615 (Mich. Ct. App. 2006). · cites it 5× “] Defendant first argues that the circuit court erred when it determined that plaintiff had authority to adopt an ordinance regulating defendant’s blasting operations outside plaintiffs boundaries pursuant to MCL 117.”
Payne v. Muskegon, 514 N.W.2d 121 (Mich. 1994). · cites it 4× “See Const 1963, art 11, § 6; MCL 117.4i(h); MSA 5.2082(h). City employees, like other employees, may be terminated at will unless distinguishing circumstances dictate otherwise.”
People v. Llewellyn, 257 N.W.2d 902 (Mich. 1977). · cites it 3× “Each such city and village shall have power to adopt resolutions and ordinances relating to its municipal concerns, property and government, subject to the constitution and law. No enumeration of powers granted to cities and villages in this constitution shall limit or restrict…”
Rental Prop. Owners Ass'n v. City of Grand Rapids, 566 N.W.2d 514 (Mich. 1997). · cites it 4× “§ 117.4i(10); M.S.A. § 5.2082(10) of the home rule cities act, [9] this Court has long recognized that this language does not apply to actions that involve the protection of the public health.”
Wikman v. City of Novi, 322 N.W.2d 103 (Mich. 1982). · cites it 2× “2080, zoning, MCL 117.4i[3]; MSA 5.2082[3], among other provisions.”
West v. City of Portage, 221 N.W.2d 303 (Mich. 1974). · cites it 6× “The power of initiative extends only to laws which the legislature may enact under this constitution. The power of referendum does not extend to acts making appropriations for state institutions or to meet deficiencies in state funds.”
Adams Outdoor Advert., Inc v. City of Holland, 600 N.W.2d 339 (Mich. Ct. App. 1999). · cites it 4× “In Adams Outdoor Advertising, supra at 218-219, the Supreme Court held that home rule cities do have the power to enact ordinances that eliminate nonconforming signs over time: Therefore, while the power to amortize nonconforming signs is not expressly delegated in the home rule…”
Adams Outdoor Advert. v. City of East Lansing, 614 N.W.2d 634 (Mich. 2000). · cites it 2× “§ 117.4i(5); MSA 5.2082(5), that enables cities the authority to regulate signs and billboards in the interest of the health, safety, and welfare of the community and to promote the aesthetic value of the city.”
Adams Outdoor Advert., Inc v. City of Holland, 625 N.W.2d 377 (Mich. 2001). “Because of our resolution in this case, we can assume without deciding that billboards constitute such a “use.”
Gantz v. City of Detroit, 220 N.W.2d 433 (Mich. 1974). · cites it 4× “V — SOURCE OF POWERS OF THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION The home-rule cities act, MCLA 117.4i(7); MSA 5.2082(7) [2] provides statutory authority for the inclusion in the charter of a home-rule city of a Civil Service System.”
Coalition for a Safer Detroit v. Detroit City Clerk, 820 N.W.2d 208 (Mich. Ct. App. 2012). “[MCL 117.4i(g).] The act also sets forth the following with regard to the handling of local elections in MCL 117.”
Show all 50 citing cases →
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 117.4i(10) — 5 cases
Rental Prop. Owners Ass'n v. City of Grand Rapids, 566 N.W.2d 514 (Mich. 1997). “§ 117.4i(10); M.S.A. § 5.2082(10) of the home rule cities act, [9] this Court has long recognized that this language does not apply to actions that involve the protection of the public health.”
City of Detroit v. Recorder's Court Judge, 304 N.W.2d 829 (Mich. Ct. App. 1981).
Mitchell v. Dep't of Corr., 318 N.W.2d 507 (Mich. Ct. App. 1982).
City of Detroit v. Judge, Recorder's Court, Traffic & Ordinance Div., 248 N.W.2d 566 (Mich. Ct. App. 1976).
City of Grand Rapids v. Kent Cnty., 292 N.W.2d 475 (Mich. Ct. App. 1980).
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 117.4i(3)(6) — 2 cases
West v. City of Portage, 221 N.W.2d 303 (Mich. 1974). “The power of initiative extends only to laws which the legislature may enact under this constitution. The power of referendum does not extend to acts making appropriations for state institutions or to meet deficiencies in state funds.”
Korash v. Livonia, 202 N.W.2d 803 (Mich. 1972).
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 117.4i(4) — 4 cases
People v. Jacqueline Walker, 354 N.W.2d 312 (Mich. Ct. App. 1984).
Oppenhuizen v. City of Zeeland, 300 N.W.2d 445 (Mich. Ct. App. 1980).
Worthington v. City of Kalamazoo, 248 N.W.2d 654 (Mich. Ct. App. 1976).
Nat'l Used Cars, Inc. v. City of Kalamazoo, 233 N.W.2d 64 (Mich. Ct. App. 1975).
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 117.4i(5) — 7 cases
Adams Outdoor Advert. v. East Lansing, 483 N.W.2d 38 (Mich. 1992). “Further, in construing the same section of the home rule act at issue here, MCL 117.4i; MSA 5.2082, we have said that the act is comprehensive, "`but it leaves many things to be implied from the power conferred.”
Adams Outdoor Advert. v. City of East Lansing, 614 N.W.2d 634 (Mich. 2000). “§ 117.4i(5); MSA 5.2082(5), that enables cities the authority to regulate signs and billboards in the interest of the health, safety, and welfare of the community and to promote the aesthetic value of the city.”
Adams Outdoor Advert., Inc v. City of Holland, 625 N.W.2d 377 (Mich. 2001). “Because of our resolution in this case, we can assume without deciding that billboards constitute such a “use.”
Cent. Advert. Co. v. City of Novi, 283 N.W.2d 730 (Mich. Ct. App. 1979).
Adams Outdoor Advert., Inc v. City of Holland, 600 N.W.2d 339 (Mich. Ct. App. 1999). “In Adams Outdoor Advertising, supra at 218-219, the Supreme Court held that home rule cities do have the power to enact ordinances that eliminate nonconforming signs over time: Therefore, while the power to amortize nonconforming signs is not expressly delegated in the home rule…”
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 117.4i(6) — 6 cases
Albright v. City of Portage, 470 N.W.2d 657 (Mich. Ct. App. 1991).
Settles v. Detroit City Clerk, 427 N.W.2d 188 (Mich. Ct. App. 1988).
Beach v. City of Saline, 316 N.W.2d 724 (Mich. 1982).
Yarborough v. City of Warren, 383 F. Supp. 676 (E.D. Mich. 1974).
Huxtable v. Bd. of Trs. of Charter Twp. of Meridian, 302 N.W.2d 282 (Mich. Ct. App. 1981).
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 117.4i(7) — 3 cases
Gantz v. City of Detroit, 220 N.W.2d 433 (Mich. 1974). “V — SOURCE OF POWERS OF THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION The home-rule cities act, MCLA 117.4i(7); MSA 5.2082(7) [2] provides statutory authority for the inclusion in the charter of a home-rule city of a Civil Service System.”
Robertson v. City of Detroit, 345 N.W.2d 695 (Mich. Ct. App. 1983).
Williams v. Civil Serv. Comm'n, 166 N.W.2d 309 (Mich. Ct. App. 1969).
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 117.4i(9) — 2 cases
People v. Llewellyn, 257 N.W.2d 902 (Mich. 1977). “Each such city and village shall have power to adopt resolutions and ordinances relating to its municipal concerns, property and government, subject to the constitution and law. No enumeration of powers granted to cities and villages in this constitution shall limit or restrict…”
People v. Vickery, 244 N.W.2d 404 (Mich. Ct. App. 1976).
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 117.4i(d) — 2 cases
City of Riverview v. Sibley Limestone, 716 N.W.2d 615 (Mich. Ct. App. 2006). “] Defendant first argues that the circuit court erred when it determined that plaintiff had authority to adopt an ordinance regulating defendant’s blasting operations outside plaintiffs boundaries pursuant to MCL 117.”
City of Farmington v. Farmington Survey Comm. (Mich. Ct. App. 2024).
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 117.4i(f) — 1 case
Adams Outdoor Advert., Inc v. City of Holland, 600 N.W.2d 339 (Mich. Ct. App. 1999). “In Adams Outdoor Advertising, supra at 218-219, the Supreme Court held that home rule cities do have the power to enact ordinances that eliminate nonconforming signs over time: Therefore, while the power to amortize nonconforming signs is not expressly delegated in the home rule…”
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 117.4i(g) — 5 cases
Coalition for a Safer Detroit v. Detroit City Clerk, 820 N.W.2d 208 (Mich. Ct. App. 2012). “[MCL 117.4i(g).] The act also sets forth the following with regard to the handling of local elections in MCL 117.”
Peter J Zirnhelt v. Twp. of Long Lake (Mich. Ct. App. 2019).
Progress for Michigan 2020 v. Cyndee Jonseck (Mich. Ct. App. 2020).
Save the Vets. Mem'l v. City of Royal Oak (Mich. Ct. App. 2021).
Comm. for Marshall-Not the Megasite v. City of Marshall (Mich. Ct. App. 2024).
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 117.4i(h) — 1 case
Payne v. Muskegon, 514 N.W.2d 121 (Mich. 1994). “See Const 1963, art 11, § 6; MCL 117.4i(h); MSA 5.2082(h). City employees, like other employees, may be terminated at will unless distinguishing circumstances dictate otherwise.”
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 117.4i(k) — 3 cases
Rental Prop. Owners Ass'n v. City of Grand Rapids, 566 N.W.2d 514 (Mich. 1997). “§ 117.4i(10); M.S.A. § 5.2082(10) of the home rule cities act, [9] this Court has long recognized that this language does not apply to actions that involve the protection of the public health.”
City of Livonia v. Goretski Constr. Co., 581 N.W.2d 761 (Mich. Ct. App. 1998).
People of Michigan v. Cora Ladane Lymon (Mich. 2024).
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 117.4i(l) — 1 case
Mkt. Place v. City of Ann Arbor, 351 N.W.2d 607 (Mich. Ct. App. 1984).
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