OAK PARK, Mich. — At its regularly scheduled meeting on May 18, 2026, the Oak Park City Council approved the second and final reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 2, Article II of the City Code to establish a new Administrative Hearings Bureau.

The new bureau will streamline the adjudication of certain code and ordinance violations by reducing reliance on traditional court proceedings. It will primarily hear municipal civil infractions—including property maintenance violations, nuisance complaints, blight-related issues, and select zoning or code enforcement matters. By centralizing these proceedings locally, the city expects shorter resolution times, improved efficiency, and a more accessible process for residents, while strengthening its ability to maintain safe, well-kept neighborhoods.

Communities across Michigan and throughout the country have successfully implemented administrative hearings systems to improve efficiency, reduce court backlogs, and enhance compliance with local ordinances. Oak Park’s adoption of this model reflects a growing best practice in municipal governance.

“This change delivers meaningful benefits for our community,” said Oak Park City Manager Erik Tungate. “Residents will see faster resolution of issues like blight and nuisance properties, helping to keep neighborhoods clean, safe, and welcoming. It also allows the City to more efficiently recover fines and fees, which can be reinvested into the services and improvements residents rely on every day.”

The Administrative Hearings Bureau will operate under the authority of a magistrate. Under the City’s council-manager form of governance, the City Manager will oversee recruitment, appointment, and supervision of the role, with City Council participating in interviews and confirming the appointment through the public process.

Next steps include initiating the hiring process for the magistrate and establishing procedures to support the bureau’s launch. The city anticipates the Administrative Hearings Bureau will become operational in late summer early fall 2026.

Residents seeking additional information regarding the magistrate position or the new bureau are encouraged to stay tuned at www.oakparkmi.gov.

About the City of Oak Park
The City of Oak Park was founded in 1945 as a commuter community and remains an integral inner‑ring suburb of Metro Detroit. Oak Park is known for its tight‑knit neighborhoods, tree‑lined streets and wooded parks. Today, the city offers a quaint, yet vibrant atmosphere rich with history, culture, diversity and opportunity. The city continues to build upon a strong tradition of attainable housing options, safe and stable neighborhoods, recreational amenities and close proximity to Metropolitan Detroit. Oak Park has experienced a recent wave of reinvestment, new development, events, eateries and more. To learn more about all things Oak Park, visit www.oakparkmi.gov and follow the city on social media.