P.O. Box 871463, Canton, MI 48187
CANTON TOWNSHIP ORDINANCES
Living in Pheasant View means living in Canton Township. Here are the township's answers to some of the most often asked questions brought before the subdivision Board of Directors
Township Ordinances
Here is the link to the entire Charter Township of Canton codification of ordinances.
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Common concerns and where to find the answers...
Trash Pickup and Recycling
All of the information you need about trash collection and recycling can be found HERE on the Canton Township website. Our subdivision's normal trash pickup day is Thursday. Because trash pick up seems to be a moving target we update the website with changes and new information regularly. Please click on our "NEWS" tab to remain up to date with changes regarding trash, lawn waste, holiday decoration pick up and curb recycling.
Garbage
Occasionally we have a problem with garbage that is not properly bagged and secured being blown through the neighborhood. Please note that all cardboard boxes must be broken down and tied. Place all regular rubbish in bags or cans, not exceeding 50 pounds. Regular rubbish pickup includes all regular household bulk items such as couches, chairs, mattresses, box springs, televisions, lamps, tables. There is a limit of two large items per week.
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All refuse, recycling, and yard waste questions and concerns should be directed to GFL Environmental USA Inc., at 844/464-3587. If after speaking to GFL and your concern is not resolved, please call Public Works at 734/397-1011 ext 0.
Snow Removal
Please be aware that it is your responsibility to clear the snow from your sidewalks.
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Sec. 62-37. Ice and snow removal.
No person shall permit ice or an accumulation of snow to remain on any sidewalk adjacent to a lot or parcel occupied by him, or on a sidewalk adjacent to any unoccupied lot or parcel owned by him, for a longer period than 72 hours after the ice or snow has formed or fallen. This does not include sidewalks to the rear of a lot or parcel.
(Ord. No. 145, as amended, § 7, 7-24-2001)
Dogs
Canton township requires that every animal shall be confined upon the premises of its owner except when the animal is leashed and otherwise under the reasonable control of the owner.
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The full listing of ordinances regarding dogs can be found in Chapter 14 of the Charter Township of Canton codification of ordinances. These include:
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Sec. 14-7. - Running at large; immunization required.
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(a) Every animal shall be confined upon the premises of its owner except when the animal is leashed and otherwise under the reasonable control of the owner as designated by this chapter.
(b) No dog shall be permitted at any time to be on a public highway or street, or in a public park, public building, or any other public place, or in any place to which the public is generally invited:
(1) Except when restrained by or under the reasonable control of the owner thereof or another responsible person, or when confined in a shipping receptacle or vehicle, or when on the premises of a duly-authorized dog training facility or dog park; and
(2) Unless such dog shall have been immunized against rabies and distemper.
(c) It shall be unlawful for any owner of an animal to allow or permit the animal to run at large, or to enter onto the private property of another without the express permission of the owner or occupant of the private property.
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Nothing in this section shall be interpreted to prevent an owner from taking his dog to the offices of a veterinarian for the purpose of having the dog immunized or treated.
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Sec. 14-10. - Sanitation.
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(a) It shall be unlawful for any owner of an animal to allow or permit such animal to soil, defile, defecate, or commit any nuisance on a public thoroughfare, sidewalk, passageway, bypass, play area, park, or any place where people congregate or walk, or upon any public property whatsoever, or upon any private property without permission of the owner of such property, unless:
(1) Such owner shall immediately remove all droppings deposited by such animal by any sanitary method, and for such purposes shall possess a container of sufficient size to collect and remove the above-mentioned droppings and exhibit the container if requested by any official empowered to enforce this chapter.
(2) The droppings removed from the aforementioned areas shall be disposed of by the owner of such animal in a sanitary method on the property of the owner of such animal.
(b) Yards shall be kept free of accumulated animal droppings and shall be maintained in a sanitary manner so as not to be a nuisance because of odor, attraction of flies or vermin, or be likely to cause contamination to sewers or waterways.
(c) Nothing in this section is intended to supersede or invalidate any property maintenance provisions set forth in chapter 78 of this Code.
(d) Any person violating this section shall be responsible for a municipal civil infraction. The fine for a violation of this section shall be one hundred dollars ($100.00) for a first offense, two hundred dollars ($200.00) for a second offense and four hundred dollars ($400.00) for a third or subsequent offense.
Recreational Vehicles
Questions frequently arise in the summer months about boats and recreational vehicles.
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Our Covenants and Restrictions state: SECTION 11. STORAGE OF VEHICLES. No house-trailer, commercial vehicle, truck, boat, boat trailer, snow mobile, camper, recreational vehicle or camping, horse or other utility trailer or vehicle (except passenger cars and passenger vans) may be parked or stored on any Lot unless stored fully enclosed within an attached garage otherwise constructed in accordance with this Declaration, except that (I) commercial trucks and vehicles may be parked upon any Lot while making deliveries or pickups in the normal course of business...
Curb Trees and Property Maintenance
There are often questions about the trees in front of homes between the street and sidewalk. Below are some township ordinances regarding trees, shrubby, grass, parking, and other common concerns regarding property maintenance.
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Sec. 78-2. - Property maintenance requirements.
(c) Standards.
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(1) Junk or inoperable vehicles. The storage, accumulation, parking, or keeping of junk or inoperable vehicles is prohibited in all areas, except within a completely enclosed building or those areas possessing a valid junkyard license issued by the township or whose use is in compliance with the zoning ordinance.
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(2) Unlicensed vehicles. The storage, accumulation, parking, or keeping of unlicensed vehicles and parts therefrom is prohibited in all areas, except within a completely enclosed building or those areas possessing a valid junkyard license issued by the township or whose use is in compliance with the zoning ordinance.
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(3) Waste materials. The storage, accumulation, keeping, littering or dumping of waste materials, except domestic refuse maintained in accordance with chapter 58, article III, is prohibited. Furthermore, it shall be unlawful to place any refrigerator out for rubbish collection without first removing the doors.
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(4) Junk and debris. The storage, accumulation, keeping, littering or dumping of junk and debris, except in areas possessing a valid junkyard license issued by the township, is prohibited.
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(5) Deteriorated structures. The existence of any deteriorated structure is prohibited.
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(6) Parking locations. The off-street parking of any motor vehicle upon grass, or any other surfaces other than those specified
in article 4.00 of the zoning ordinance, is prohibited.
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(7) Building materials and construction equipment. The storage, accumulation, or keeping of any building materials or construction equipment is prohibited unless there is in effect a valid building permit issued by the building and inspection services division for construction upon the premises and such materials and equipment are used in connection with such construction, or whose use is in compliance with the township zoning ordinance.
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(8) Shrub and tree maintenance. All trees and shrubs must be kept trimmed so as not to encroach upon any public sidewalk or pathway. Clear headroom must be maintained of at least seven feet zero inches in height.
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(9) Grass height. Grass in all landscaped grass areas shall not be permitted to grow higher than five inches in height.
(Ord. No. 121, as amended, §§ 1—4, 6, 1-22-1991; Ord. of 6-8-2004)
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Sec. 82-130. - Street trees.
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The selection and the variety, spacing and planting of all trees shall be done in accordance with standards and specifications adopted by the township board. All street trees must meet the definition of shade trees as specified in this chapter. Street trees for all residential lots shall be planted between curb and sidewalk in accordance with the following schedule:
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(1) Units/lots with street frontage of less than 80 feet must have a minimum of two trees.
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(2) Units/lots with street frontage of 80 feet to 100 feet must have a minimum of three trees per unit. Units/lots greater than 100 feet in width must have one tree planted for every 40 feet of frontage or fraction thereof.
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(3) On corner units/lots, one tree must be planted for every 40 feet of frontage or fraction thereof, along both the front and side street lines.
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(4) One tree must be planted within each cul-de-sac or eyebrow island. Sod is required as ground cover for each cul-de-sac or eyebrow island.
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(5) Minimum tree size must be at least two and one-half to three inches in diameter as measured six inches above the ground.
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(6) Trees must be replaced by the contractor if the trees are not in a healthy condition after one full growing season. After the initial warranty period, the condominium unit owner is responsible for maintaining the tree(s), including pruning and replacement as necessary.
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(Ord. No. 138, as amended, § 4.1(E), 4-2-1998; Ord. of 11-10-2009; Ord. of 10-25-2016(2))
Signs
The subdivision covenants and restrictions state that no signs, flags, billboards, or other advertising devices or symbols of any kind shall be displayed, placed, erected, or maintained on any Lot in the Subdivision which are visible to the public view that exceed two (2’) feet by three (3’) feet and shall be not more than five (5’) feet above the ground, at any time for any reason without the advance written permission from the Board of Directors. Permitted signs shall be constructed and installed in a professional manner. Such signs shall also be kept clean and in good repair during the period of their use on the Lot, and shall not be placed between the roadway and sidewalk. No more than three (3) signs may be placed on any Lot at any time. All signs shall also be subject to the Canton Township Code of Ordinances. The actual ordinance can be found in the Canton Township Code of Ordinances HERE or by searching for "signs" to get to ARTICLE 6A.00. -- SIGNS.
Scooters and Go-peds
Safety in preventing accidents should be utmost in the mind of homeowners ... especially the safety of our children. It has been noted that motorized (gas and electric driven) scooters and pocket bikes (gopeds and mopeds as defined by Michigan Vehicle Code) are in our subdivision. the potential for accidents with these "toys" can create serious injuries not only to the youngster driving, but also to residents in their path. If you are interested in the laws regarding scooters / mopeds / gopeds, there a good article can be found at the Citizen Observer: http://www.citizenobserver.com/basic.jsp?id=493938
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From the Michigan State Police question and answer page:
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Question: Where can I legally ride a goped?
Answer: A goped, while not specifically defined in the Michigan Vehicle Code, does fall under the definition of a moped (MCL.257.32b). Mopeds are required to have certain equipment such as; a headlight, brake light, seat, horn, muffler, and brakes on each wheel, in order to be legally operated on the roadway. In addition, the operator of a moped must be at least 15 years of age, have a moped license or an operator/chauffeur license, and the vehicle must be registered with the Department of State and display a valid registration plate. Finally, a person operating a moped must wear an approved crash helmet if they are under 19 years of age.
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Because gopeds are not equipped with the required equipment they cannot be legally driven on the roadway. Also, by definition they are a motor vehicle and therefore cannot be driven on a sidewalk constructed for use by pedestrians.
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Question: Can someone tell me what the laws in Michigan are for riding pocket bikes?
Answer: If the "pocket bike" has an engine displacement of 50cc's or less, produces 2.0 brake horsepower or less, is capable of a top speed of no more than 30 mph, and the operator is not required/allowed to shift gears, then it may be legally classified as a moped. The document titled "Moped Requirements" lists the operational and equipment requirements for such motor vehicles. Most "pocket bikes" will not meet those requirements and therefore will not be street legal.
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If the "pocket bike" has an engine displacement greater than 50cc's then it is classified as a motorcycle and must meet the requirements applicable to that type of vehicle. Again, most "pocket bikes" will not meet these requirements.
Since we have had one near miss with a car backing out of a driveway, any complaint from homeowners should be directed to the Canton Police who will enforce the applicable traffic law. Please give careful consideration regarding the consequences prior to purchasing a goped, moped or scooter for your child.