The City of Dearborn's Code of Ordinances and City Charter serve as a framework for the City's operations and laws.

The most recent City Charter was adopted Nov. 6, 2007 after two years of work by the City Charter Commission. It consists of 20 Chapters detailing the City's Boundaries, Standards of Conduct, General Municipal Powers, various City Departments and their duties, Elections, Finance and Taxation, Special Assessments, Bonds, Retirement plans, Liability and various other subjects.

Code of Ordinances

Changes to the City of Dearborn's Code of Ordinances and Zoning Ordinances must be brought before City Council for approval.

Proposed ordinances must receive two readings before council before they can be approved or denied. Generally, the ordinance will receive its second reading at the council meeting after the one during which it was introduced.

Public comment on proposed changes to the City's Code of Ordinances is welcome.

Proposed ordinances

Proposed ordinances are those which have had their first reading before Dearborn City Council, but have not yet been adopted or incorporated into the City of Dearborn's Code of Ordinances or into the Zoning Ordinances.

Once the proposed ordinance has had its first reading, it will be available for public view. These documents allow for informed discussion between residents and city officials on ordinance or zoning amendments.

Click here to view all proposed ordinances

Uncodified ordinances

Uncodified ordinances are those which the City of Dearborn has adopted which haven't been incorporated into the City of Dearborn's Code of Ordinances or into the Zoning Ordinance through American Legal Publishing Corporation.

Click here to view all uncodified ordinances

Residents will also be able to view any rezoning amendments that have been adopted but haven't been incorporated into the City of Dearborn's Zoning Map.

Once the adopted ordinances or zoning ordinances have been incorporated, they can be accessed in the City's Code of Ordinances.