Saline Twp: Notice of Adoption of Event Barn Ordinance

NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF

ORDINANCE NO.: ___ EVENT BARN ORDINANCE

SALINE TOWNSHIP

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MICHIGAN

On June 10, 2026, the Township Board for the Township of Saline, Washtenaw County, Michigan adopted the an ordinance to regulate the event barns in the Township of Saline, Michigan, in conformity with the Michigan Fireworks Safety Act, MCL 28.457. The following is a synopsis of the ordinance.

THE TOWNSHIP OF SALINE, COUNTY OF WASHTENAW, STATE OF MICHIGAN ORDAINS:

Section 1. Intent. To regulate the operation of all Event Barns which have been granted a Special Use Permit to operate in the Township

Section 2. Event Barn Operational Requirements.

2.1        Prohibits fireworks except as permitted by state law.

2.2        Permits the use of portable toilets with the following regulations: (a) must be serviced within forty-eight (48) hours of the completion of the event for which the toilets were used; (b) must be located at least one hundred (100) feet from any adjacent residentially zoned or used property; (c) must be located at least fifty (50) feet from the ordinary high-water elevation of any lake or stream; (d) must be oriented in such a way that the opening or door faces away from any adjacent residentially zoned or used property; (e) must include internal hand washing facilities with soap and running water.

2.3        Prohibits amplified sound equipment (music, loud speakers, etc.) outdoors. Amplified sound equipment may only be permitted in an enclosed building.

2.4        Limits the noise level generated by the Event Barn to 65 dBA as measured at any point along the subject property line and permits the Townshp to conduct inspections.

2.5        Prohibits overnight guests.

2.6        Limits the hours of operation, and the frequency and size of events, as follows: (a) no more than 24 events in a year and no more than 4 events in a month. Events involving 100 people are limited to 6 per year, with no more than 2 per month; (b) prohibits outdoor events outdoor events Monday through Thursday and limits outdoor events on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10:00 am and 10:00 pm; (c) permits indoor events on Monday through Thursday and on Sunday from 10:00 am and on Friday and Saturday from 10:00 am to 11:00 pm.

2.7        Trash must be removed within 48 hours of an event’s completion, subject to modification by the Township Zoning Inspector.

2.8        Event barns shall comply with all applicable Township ordinances and outside agency requirements.

Section 3. Local Agent. Every Event Barn owner/operator shall appoint a Local Agent who is responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable Township ordinances and permits. Current contact information shall be filed with the Township.

Section 4. License Required. An owner/operator of an Event Barn must obtain special land use permit and an Event Barn Local Agent License.

4.1        All Local Agent Licenses are expire December 31st of the current year. The annual fee for a Local Agent License shall be established by Township Board resolution.

4.2        Local Agent Licenses are not transferable.

Section 5. Application Requirements.

5.1        All applications for a new Local Agent License or License renewal shall be filed with the Saline Township Zoning Administrator on forms provided by the Zoning Administrator.

5.2        Each applicant shall certify to the Township that the event barn included in the application complies with the provisions of this Ordinance and the Saline Township Zoning Ordinance. The Zoning Administrator shall not issue a License unless the completed application form is accompanied by payment of the required fee, as established by the Township Board.

5.3        The Local Agent License Application shall contain the following: (a) the name, address, and contact information of the Local Agent. If the Local Agent is not the event barn Property Owner, the application must also include the name, address, and contact information of the Property Owner, as well as the Property Owner’s signature authorizing the use of the property as an Event Barn; (b) a Local Agent Agreement reflecting the local agent’s authority and acceptance of all responsibilities under this Ordinance and all applicable ordinances; (c) a list of all adjacent properties within one thousand (1,000) feet of the event barn zoning lot, including the property owners’ names and their preferred means of contact, such as their email address or mailing address. The applicant shall be responsible for contacting each property owner and asking if they prefer to receive event-related communication by email or US Postal Service/private mail service. If an applicant is unable to obtain a property owner’s contact information, the applicant must provide a description of their efforts to contact the owner and why they were unable to obtain their contact information; (d) a schedule of all of the Event Barn’s events for the calendar year. The list shall include each event’s date, time, and the number of anticipated attendees.

Section 6. Local Agent Requirements and Responsibilities.

6.1        The Local Agent must: (a) either live or have a business office 25 miles of the Event Barn; (b) be on-site during all events; (c) be authorized to accept service of all notices and legal process for all matters relating to the Event Barn; (d) be authorized to allow Township personnel to enter the property for inspection and enforcement; (e) be authorized to handle all matters relating to dealing with renters of the Event Barn; (f) be authorized make any repair or act of maintenances needed to comply with any ordinance, or any applicable outside agency regulation.

6.2        Event Schedule Notification Requirements: (a) within 15 days after the issuance of a Local Agent License, the Local Agent shall transmit to Township Zoning Administrator and to all property owners within one thousand (1,000) feet of the Event Barn property, by US Postal Service/private mail service or email if so preferred by a property owner discretion, a copy of the year’s event schedule; (b) property owners are responsible for informing the Local Agent of any changes to their contact information that occur over the course of the year; (c) any changes to the event schedule must be transmitted to the Township and neighboring property owners; (d) the notices shall include the Event Barn address, the Local Agent’s name, phone number, and email address, Township’s current permitted event frequency and hours and a schedule of all of the Event Barn’s events for the calendar year. The list shall include each event’s date, time, and the number of anticipated attendees.

Section 7. Penalty. A violation of this chapter shall be punishable as a municipal civil infraction and shall be deemed a nuisance per se.

Section 8. Severance Clause. If a section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this chapter is, for any reason, held to be unconstitutional or invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this code.

Section 9. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall be effective on 30 days after publication.

A complete copy of the Ordinance is posted on the Township web page and is also posted and available at the Township Clerk’s office.

Published in The Sun Times News on 6/24/26