Frequently Asked Questions

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Complaints can be made by telephone 24 hours a day by calling 517-627-2115. If you have an emergency, dial 911. The police will be dispatched to your location. You may also file a complaint in person at the Police Department located at 310 Greenwood Street in the Greenwood Municipal Building.

Depending on the nature of the complaint, an officer may have to be called in off the road to help you. During non-business hours, when you call the Police Department, your call will be transferred to Eaton County Central Dispatch, and they will contact an officer to assist you.

April 1 - November 30

Coming into the City, there are signs posted on all major roads informing residents and visitors that no parking is allowed on City streets or in City parking lots between 3 AM and 5 AM. This is to assist the various municipal departments in snowplowing, street sweeping, and other maintenance chores. Permission to park between 3 AM and 5 AM is granted by the Police Department on a case-by-case basis. You can find other parking violations in the City’s Code of Ordinances Chapter 205, Article III, Section 18.

December 1 - March 31

The odd-even, overnight, on-street parking ordinance (Section 42- 1- 42-4, Article I) takes effect seasonally, December 1 - March 31, and during any declared snow emergencies. It is common for weather conditions between December 1 and March 31 to include snowfalls that require the plowing of city streets. Often times plowing is needed all the way to the curb to alleviate ice build-up, flooding, and other unsafe conditions. Plowing to the curbs is not possible when cars are parked on the street along the curb. The city recognizes that on-street parking is important in some circumstances. In balancing these competing needs, the city allows for parking on only one side of the street during overnight hours from December through March, and during any declared snow emergencies, with the allowed parking alternating daily to enable snowplowing on both sides of the street. 

Each evening when you park your car, check to see what the date is tomorrow and park on the side of the street that corresponds with TOMORROW'S date (Click here for a full parking calendar):

• If tomorrow is an ODD day, park on the side of the road with ODD addresses.

• If tomorrow is an EVEN day, park on the side of the road with EVEN addresses.

• On cul-de-sacs overnight, on-street parking is permitted only on even-numbered calendar days.

• Between 7:00 AM and 11:59 PM, vehicles may be parked on either side of the street.

NO PARKING and other traffic signs remain in effect and apply at all times.

To learn more, please visit https://library.municode.com/mi/grand_ledge/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH42TRVE_ARTIIIPAVI_S42-58USPALO

Eligible residents downtown can apply for a parking permit pass for City Lots. Learn more about downtown permit parking here.

You may pay for a parking ticket in person at the Police Department or mail a check made payable to the City of Grand Ledge for the appropriate fee as listed on the back of the ticket. Please mail the fine to:
Grand Ledge Police Department
310 Greenwood Street
Grand Ledge, MI 48837

Police Department office hours are 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday.

The Noise Ordinances can be found in Chapter 148, Article VI, Section 14 of the City Code of Ordinances. The first three sections of this ordinance deal with specific acts that are prohibited. The following is a summary of those sections. If you believe that a section of this ordinance is being violated, contact the Police Department at 517-627-2115.

• Section B No person shall willfully act in an obscene, disorderly, or riotous manner in a public place so that his conduct is observed by another person and disturbs the peace, good order, health, or safety of the other person.
• Section C No person shall create, assist in creating, permit, continue, or permit the continuance of any unreasonably loud, disturbing, unusual, or unnecessary noise which either annoys, disturbs, injures, or endangers the comfort, repose, health, peace, or safety of others within the City of Grand Ledge. Each of the following acts is hereby declared unlawful and prohibited, but this enumeration shall not be deemed to be exclusive, namely:
• Section C has 13 subsections that describe examples of such behavior but do not limit illegal actions to only those described. They include any of the following that makes noise as described in the previous bullets:
  • The playing of any radio or musical instrument
  • The keeping of any animal or bird
  • Exhaust from a machine
  • Loading operations of a vehicle
  • Yelling, shouting, or whistling by curfew violators
  • Musical instruments for the purpose of any show
  • Mechanical loudspeakers from a motor vehicle
  • Blowing of a steam whistle
  • Construction noise between 8 pm and 6 am.
  • Business noise in a residential area between 10 pm and 6 am.
  • Firearms or other combustible noisemakers
  • Practicing of musical groups

Please call the Police Department at 627-2115. An officer will personally help get you started. Neighborhood Watch Programs are a nationally recognized and effective way to reduce crime in your neighborhood.

Personal Protection Order Definition

A personal protection order (PPO) is a court order that can be obtained from a judge. It is available to you if you have suffered or fear abuse related to family violence, dating violence, or stalking. A PPO can provide you with a:

• Court order for the abuser to stop the abuse
• Court order for the abuser to be removed from the home for a specified number of days
• Court order forbidding contact between the abuser and the victim

Obtain a PPO

In order to obtain a PPO, you must go to the Eaton County Circuit Court located on the 2nd floor of the:
Eaton County Court House
1045 Independence Boulevard
Charlotte, MI 48813

The Eaton County Circuit Court can be reached by calling 517-485-6444, ext. 255.

If you have been a victim of abuse and do not know what steps to take, start by getting yourself to a place of safety and calling the police. We can help with information and other assistance.

More Information

• Learn more about Domestic Violence.
• Learn more about Personal Protection Orders (including how to serve a PPO and when it takes effect).

Yes, the Grand Ledge Police Department is proud to provide this service to its residents. Please call the Police Department during business hours of 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday, at 517-627-2115. We can best serve you if you provide the following information:

• Your name, address, and a telephone number where we may contact you.
• The dates you will be away from your home.
• Who should be at your home when you are gone?
• What cars may be there?
• Will there be lights left on, and is the house alarmed?
• Will someone be watching your house? If yes, do they have a key, and how do we contact them?

You can also email the Police Department with "Vacation Check" in the subject line. Please include all of the listed information. Please let us know when you have returned home.

You can get a copy of an accident report online. You will need the date of the accident and the report number. There is a charge for this feature. You can also get a copy from our office.

For a criminal complaint, you must appear in person at the Police Department and fill out a Freedom of Information Act Request if you are not the victim. There will be a charge for fulfilling the request, which will vary depending on what you are requesting and how much administrative work is involved (the minimum charge is $5). Some information may be redacted from reports, including but not limited to information on juveniles, addresses, phone numbers, and dates of birth.

Do not enter the house. Call 911 from a neighbor’s house or use a cell phone and wait for an officer to arrive. 

All burglary complaints are assigned to an officer. If possible, have a complete list of items missing, including serial numbers and receipts showing the cost of goods. Provide the officer with the names of possible suspects. If there is broken glass or other items that have potentially been handled by the perpetrator, do not touch or disturb. Notify the officer of this possible evidence.

Fingerprinting is done during regular business hours, 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday. There is a $20 administrative fee. Bring a valid picture ID. Child Ident-a-kits are provided for free.

Absolutely not. Michigan Law strictly prohibits any police department from sharing information obtained from the Law Enforcement Information Network (LEIN) or the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) computer system with anyone other than law enforcement personnel. The department could be fined or lose its access to violations of these regulations.

You can perform a record search through the Michigan State Police using iCHAT (Internet Criminal History Access Tool). There is a fee involved.

To inquire about your case, call our office at 517-627-2115 or email the officer who first took the report.

Yes, but be prepared to prove you have legal possession of the vehicle. Due to the potential for damage to some vehicles, you must sign a waiver of liability relinquishing the officer and/or the Police Department of any responsibility.

If a child is locked inside your vehicle, the Police Department may send a rescue unit to remove the child from the vehicle. Breaking a window may become necessary.

The Police Department can only have vehicles towed that are on public property. Call a wrecker service in your area to have the vehicle towed away. The wrecker service will notify the owner once they have determined who that may be.

Please refer to our Employment Information page.

The Grand Ledge Police Department does not have a jail. To obtain this information, you must contact the Eaton County Jail directly at 517-372-8217.

Concealed Pistol License (CPL) packets are available at the Grand Ledge Police Department free of charge. The packets must be turned to the County Clerk in the county in which you reside. For more information, see the Michigan State Police Concealed Pistol Licensing page.

There is no cost, but the form does need to be notarized, which we will do for a $10 fee. You will need a valid picture ID. There is a written test you will need to take and an application that you will need to fill out. It usually takes about 15 minutes to complete the paperwork.

A purchase permit is valid for 10 days from the date of issue and must be turned in even if it is not used. If you have been convicted of a felony or have shown a propensity for violence or assaultive behavior, your permit application may be denied.

Occasionally, tiny air bubbles in tap water cause a cloudy appearance. Air dissolves into water when pressurized which occurs in the groundwater basin and in the water pipes that deliver water to your tap. As a freshly poured cup of tap water settles, the bubbles (and cloudiness) dissipate.

The bubbles are harmless and pose no health risk. The air bubbles will dissipate if you let the water sit in a glass for a few minutes.

The City’s drinking water comes from a vast underground aquifer. The wells that pump the water from the aquifer into the delivery system are designed to filter out naturally occurring sediments. These particles typically settle in large water pipes and tanks, but sometimes make it through the faucet. Clearing the sediment and particles in our water mains is the main goal of hydrant flushing.

Click here to learn more about groundwater and aquifers from USGS.

When your water tastes or smells funny, the problem may be in the water or it may not. Odors might actually be coming from your sink drain where bacteria grow on hair, soap, food, and other things that get trapped. Gases in the drain that smell get stirred up when water pours into the pipe. Odor can also come from bacteria growing in devices such as water heaters.

It’s possible that from time to time your water may be safe to drink, but is discolored for some reason. The primary cause of water discoloration is due to naturally occurring minerals (primarily iron and manganese) flowing with the water. These minerals, which are heavier than water, settle in water pipelines when water usage is low - especially during winter months. When the water flow and pressure through the water pipes increases again (due to irrigation, construction, etc.) the minerals are stirred up and flow out of your faucets when you turn on the tap. Many times discoloration is caused from plumbing inside a home or business, not municipal watermains.

The Department of Public Services "flushes" the water system twice a year; this also allows the City to remove any sediment from the water lines which helps improve quality and clarity. As a result, water main flushing can cause temporary changes in water pressure or discoloration.

Find helpful information on Water Discoloration from American Waterworks Association.

Several types of minerals can be found in tap water. Minerals containing calcium and magnesium are common in local groundwater supplies and are responsible for the white spots observed when tap water is allowed to dry on household surfaces. While these spots may be unwelcome, these naturally occurring minerals in your tap water provide a protective internal coating deemed optimum for controlling corrosion of your home’s water pipes and plumbing fixtures. The most common mineral deposits are lime, rust, and calcium.

Mineral deposits that are allowed to accumulate over time on household surfaces can become more problematic to remove. Routine household maintenance such as wiping water droplets from surfaces before evaporation occurs can help prevent mineral deposits.

Learn more from EGLE's Common Drinking Water Quality Concerns.

The level of hardness in tap water is determined by the amount of calcium and magnesium in the water, both of which are common minerals found in the City’s groundwater supply. Most City water customers receive water with moderate hardness. The City of Grand Ledge tests water 16 times each month to ensure the water is safe to drink.

While hard water can require additional cleaning steps, these naturally occurring minerals in your tap water provide protective internal coating deemed optimum for controlling corrosion of your home’s water pipes and plumbing fixtures.

Please note, the City of Grand Ledge is legally required to regularly test the water we provide as part of the Safe Drinking Water Act and make the results available to their customers (view the City's Annual Water Quality Report.)

Learn more at EGLE's Drinking Water & Environmental Health Division (Community Water Supply)

Making up at least 5% of the earth’s crust, iron is one of the earth’s most plentiful resources. Rainwater as it infiltrates the soil and underlying geologic formations dissolves iron, causing it to seep into aquifers that serve as sources of groundwater for wells. Although present in drinking water, iron is seldom found at concentrations greater than 10 milligrams per liter (mg/L) or 10 parts per million. However, as little as 0.3 mg/L can cause water to turn a reddish brown color. Iron is not hazardous to health, but it is considered a secondary or aesthetic contaminant. Essential for good health, iron helps transport oxygen in the blood.

Learn more from Care for MI Drinking Water's Iron Help Sheet.

Lead has not been detected in the City’s source water. While lead has not been detected in the City’s source water, there have been instances where lead was detected through testing individual customer taps. The City has been testing an average of 20 sites at the highest risk for lead, as determined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), every one to three years since 1992. In all instances, these tests have been found in compliance with water quality standards, including lead levels that have not reached above the Federal Action Level of 15 parts per billion (ppb). 

For the latest water sampling results (including lead testing), please view the City's Annual Water Quality Report.

EGLE also established the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) to protect public health by minimizing lead and copper levels in drinking water. The rule establishes action levels (AL) for lead and copper based on a 90th percentile level of tap water samples. An action level exceedance is not a violation but triggers other requirements to minimize exposure to lead and copper in drinking water, including water quality parameter monitoring, corrosion control treatment, source water monitoring/treatment, public education, and lead service line replacement. All community water supplies are subject to the LCR requirements.

The City’s water system pulls ground water from four different wells that are 250 feet below ground. The water is tested before it travels into the public water towers and water main. Water is tested 16 times a month in the City's laboratory, which is required to be certified by EGLE, to ensure testing methodology and reporting meets certification requirements.

For sampling data and additional information on the City’s water quality, view the most recent Water Quality Report or stop by City Hall, open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm, for a printed copy.

You may also learn more about the regulation of your water quality here.

As a public water provider, the City of Grand Ledge can only charge customers for the costs associated with providing water service, which means it cannot earn a profit. The City provides water and wastewater collection for more than 3,800 customers across approximately 4 square miles.

There is no profit from utility bill revenue or rate adjustments; all revenue is spent on the water or sewer systems. Property taxes do not pay for our water system. We can’t take revenue from water bills to pay for a new playground. Likewise, we do not use property tax revenue to pay for water system improvements.

To review current budgets, fee schedules, and other financial information, please visit our Budget & Finances page.

The City of Grand Ledge is dedicated to setting water and wastewater rates that treat customers fairly and reflect the true cost of service while protecting the City’s financial stability. Recent water and wastewater rate increases reflect the necessary adjustments needed to ensure the City provides the operation and maintenance required for the water and wastewater systems. Adequate funding levels are critical to the delivery of a safe and reliable supply of water. The City adopts a budget each year to support the water/sewer systems in Grand Ledge. The budget must meet the needs of the system and in return the rates must support the budget. 

Every year, the Michigan Rural Water Association presents a rate analysis to ensure monthly utility rates are reasonable and support both short and long-term goals of our water and sewer infrastructure. This analysis is available on the My Utilities page.

For every $1 paid toward property taxes, the City of Grand Ledge receives approximately 24 cents if the taxpayer lives in the City or approximately 17 cents if the taxpayer owns property in the City. The balance of taxes paid is appropriated to other entities. The tax allocation could not support a user-based utility such as the City’s water and wastewater, which has operational costs and user fees dependent on use. The vast majority of municipalities charge customers fixed and variable rate water/wastewater fees to cover costs associated with adequately operating water and wastewater utilities.

There is no profit from utility bill revenue or rate adjustments; all revenue is spent on the water or sewer systems. Property taxes do not pay for our water system. We can’t take revenue from water bills to pay for a new playground. Likewise, we do not use property tax revenue to pay for water system improvements.

Learn more about the City's budget and financial information here.

It is important for water customers to understand how their water meter works. The following graphic indicates a few features of typical water meters, both current and new, that are utilized in the City. If you feel your meter is not operating as it should, please contact the Utilities Billing Department at 517-627-2149. In most cases the City will be able to run a report that shows hourly usage at your home or business for the previous 30 days. This can be very helpful in identifying leaks.

• Fixed rates are designed to recover unchanging costs associated with the operation of water and wastewater utilities (including costs to maintain existing infrastructure, improve infrastructure, and repay loans and bonds used to build that infrastructure). 
• Variable rate calculations are based on the amount of water and wastewater used (which reflects the costs of providing water, such as costs for chemical treatment to provide safe water and energy to move and deliver water.)

To view our current fee schedule, click here.

The charts and infographics on the My Utilities Page will help you decipher and understand how your bill is calculated. These two graphics will also help:

Some people believe that bottled water is safer and more pure than tap water. Buying and consuming bottled water is entirely up to the consumer. Water purity is determined by the amount of minerals/elements found in the water and by the level of treatment performed. Both bottled and tap water are considered safe when drinking water standards are met. When the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets a new standard for tap water, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is required to establish the same new standard for bottled water.

Some brands of bottled water use tap water from other areas and are a much more expensive option than your own tap water. Water that is bottled and sold can cost up to a thousand times more per gallon than tap water. On average, a City water customer receives 40 gallons of tap water for approximately $1.65. (Click here for our current fee schedule).

Drinking water provided by the City meets all federal and state quality standards. Water filters may change the taste of tap water, but they are not necessary to ensure water safety, and are entirely up to the discretion of the consumer.

While the drinking water provided by the City meets all federal and state quality standards, it is hard water. For customers who are looking to utilize "softer" water, a home water softener can be a viable option. Water softeners do require regular maintenance and have added installation costs and regular fees associated with their use. It is recommended that property owners check with a local water conditioning expert or the Water Quality Association to find the best product for their needs. Softening water in-home is entirely up to the discretion of the consumer.

Although we do not give out Contractor recommendations, we do believe it is very important to check:

• Does the contractor have a valid license?
• Can they provide recent references?
• Does this Contractor have expired permits on file with the City of Grand Ledge?
• Does the Contractor provide a warranty?
• Have all inspections been performed on the project?

Yes. If you are not already registered with Eaton County BSA Online, you will need to do so and receive a PIN to pull permits online. Click here for registration forms and questions.

For permits issued by the City of Grand Ledge/DeWitt Township, the DeWitt Township building department will perform the inspections.  Please schedule those inspections as you have done previously by calling the inspection line at 517-277-0700.

Inspections that are not called for or completed by May 30, 2025 may be assigned to Eaton County Construction Codes or the permits closed out. 

Permits that are closed out, that need additional inspections, will be required to make a new permit application and pay all permit and inspection fees.  To avoid any additional permit or inspection fees, schedule your inspection(s).

Yes. Whatever requirements and guidelines Eaton County has in place for building and trades permitting is what the City of Grand Ledge adheres to.

For example, non-structural reroofing, siding, and window replacement do not require a permit in Eaton County. As such, those types of permits are not required in the City.

There are two options to sign up for GLAlerts:

1. With your mobile phone, text "GLAlerts" to 67283. You will receive a special link Smart 911 and the City of Grand Ledge's GLAlert page to create an account and subscribe to the alerts.
2. Click on this link to be taken directly to Smart 911 and the City of Grand Ledge's GLAlert page to create an account and subscribe to the alerts.

When you subscribe to GLAlerts you will receive alerts related to:

• Emergencies - Gas leak, train derailment, structure fire, etc

• Road Closures - Parades, water main break, vehicle accident, etc.

• City Updates - Hydrant flushing, power outage, etc.

The City uses discretion to send alerts only when necessary.

There is no charge to subscribe but message and data rates may apply. Text messages are sent on an as-needed basis. This service is provided per the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Text STOP to 67283 to cancel or HELP for tech support.

Yes, GLAlerts can be received via text, email, and/or telephone call. Subscribers can select any combination of alerts they would like to receive.

Questions that cannot be answered within this FAQ can be addressed by contacting the City of Grand Ledge:

• Email: Email City Hall
• Call: 517-627-2149
• In-Person: City Hall, 310 Greenwood Street, Grand Ledge, MI 48837, open Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm

• To opt-out of text messages
  • Text "STOP" to 67283
  • Please use the STOP with caution as this will also stop the delivery of Broadcast Alert messages
• To opt-out of the text, email, and/or telephone messages
  • Log into your Smart 911 account, click on Opt-In Lists and uncheck the delivery options you no longer wish to receive.

Yes. Fence/hedge permits are required in the City of Grand Ledge, here a few general guidelines. If you have further questions please call the Zoning Department at 517-622-7928.

• Basic Fence/Hedge Ordinance Regulations
• No hedge shall exceed a height of 3 feet within a front yard or 6 feet within a side or rear yard. Fences may not exceed a height of 6 feet within a side or rear yard.
• When located within a front yard, fences may not exceed a height of 3 feet and must be of an ornamental nature, including picket, split rail or wrought-iron-style fencing, with at least 50% open spaces, uniformly distributed along the surface of the fence.
• Wire and chain link fencing is prohibited in front yards.
• Corner Lots are considered to have two (2) front yards.
• All yards that abut a street right-of-way are considered front yards, regardless of which direction the house faces.
• No fence shall be located in such a manner as to create a dead space between an existing fence or building and a proposed fence.

Plots can be purchased at City Hall located at 310 Greenwood Street, Grand Ledge, Michigan 48837. City Hall is open Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. Cash or check are accepted as well as credit cards with an additional fee.

Burials are permitted year-round at Oakwood Cemetery.

Funerals arriving after 3:30 PM on weekdays, all funerals on Saturdays, and funerals on the following holidays will be assessed an additional charge:

• President's Day
• Veteran's Day
• Good Friday
• The Friday after Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Eve
• New Year's Eve

No burials are allowed on Sundays or the following holidays:

• Easter
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day
• New Year's Day

At this time, green burials are not permitted at Oakwood Cemetery.

• Urns are prohibited unless approved by the City as to material and location.
• Urns of glass, clay, or ceramic, and any plastic containers of any type are prohibited. The City will remove and hold such containers for one year and will dispose of such containers not claimed within one year after removal.

Each fall, the City’s past, and current practice is to utilize the Department of Public Services (DPS) staff to turn over all urns at Oakwood Cemetery. This is done as a courtesy to help ensure the privately purchased concrete and granite urns do not crack during the freeze and thaw of winter and spring.

Each spring, family members or friends who want to utilize the urns can turn them over as they wish. If assistance is needed to help turn over an urn, please reach out to City Hall to make that request. DPS crews will honor these formal requests within one business day unless unplanned, extenuating circumstances arise. 

Please note, DPS does not turn all of the urns over each spring as any that remain empty collect water and create a breeding ground for mosquitos.

To request assistance with having an urn turned over during the months of May through September, please call 517-627-2149 or stop by City Hall, 310 Greenwood Street, during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm.

No. All markers and monuments shall be made of granite. Homemade markers and markers made of other materials such as marble, wood, plastic, cement, or steel are prohibited.

All markers and monuments must have foundations and shall not be delivered until a foundation is installed and payment is made in full. Orders for foundations shall be placed a minimum of two (2) weeks in advance of delivery. Foundations will not be poured between October 1 and April 30. Contact City Hall at 517-627-2149 to order a foundation. 

In Oakwood Cemetery, flowers may be planted within 18-inches of a marker or monument, and under no circumstances shall plantings be allowed outside the boundaries of the owner's plot(s), no sod shall be removed which is not next to a marker or monument and then not more than 18-inches. Plantings may be set next to markers or monuments but must be kept free from grass and weeds. The planting or removal of trees and shrubbery is prohibited unless approved by the Superintendent or Sexton as to species, variety, location, and time of planting.

Artificial flowers, wreaths, and grave blankets are allowed only from November 1 through March 31. The Sexton will remove all artificial flowers, wreaths, and grave blankets on April 1. Artificial flowers shall not be placed in the ground. Artificial flowers and wreaths may be placed in the mausoleum at any time; however, the Sexton will remove them each year prior to Memorial Day.

Burial locations can be found online at the websites listed below. In addition, a detailed map of the cemetery can be found here.

To locate burial locations in Oakwood Cemetery:

• Cemetery Management Database 
  • Burial locations only in Oakwood Cemetery
• Find A Grave 
  • Search "Oakwood Cemetery" or search millions of grave records. Please note, Find A Grave is not a City of Grand Ledge website. The City of Grand Ledge is not affiliated with this site, nor do we provide any updates or edits.

Generally, when conditions become slippery or an accumulation occurs the Department of Public Service (DPS) will start salting and clearing the roads of snow.

DPS follows these established priorities to systematically remove snow and ice from City roads:

1. State trunk line (M-43 & M-100) and major street routes (ie. Bridge, Jenne, Jefferson)
2. Primary school routes.
3. All other secondary and neighborhood streets.

DPS salts the designated Safe Routes to School, major street routes, state highways, correlating intersections, stop signs, and hills. City residents and property owners are required to clear sidewalks in front of their homes in accordance with the City's snow ordinance. All corporate citizens are responsible for clearing the sidewalks in front of their business. Schools are responsible for maintaining the sidewalks on their property. The City of Grand Ledge clears snow from the city-owned sidewalks, the non-motorized Wide Walk along M-100 and M-43, the Riverwalk Trail, and provides assistance downtown.

Grand Ledge Ordinance #554 requires removal of snow/ice within 24-hours when it reaches three (3) inches of accumulation. Regardless of the amount of accumulation the City strongly encourages property owners to keep their sidewalks clear of snow and ice at all times. 

• Reduce your speed while driving when roads are slick with ice and snow
• DO NOT follow too closely behind snow removal equipment
• Please remind children NOT to play in or near snow piles by the roadway
• Avoid parking on streets during heavy snowfall if possible and familiarize yourself with our Odd/Even Overnight Parking Ordinance
• DO NOT shovel or plow snow onto the street 
• Notify City Hall of poor street conditions: 517-627-2149

It is not required, but as a courtesy, we ask residents to shovel out any fire hydrants that may be located near your home. Please shovel out 3 feet surrounding the hydrant.

Clear an area to the right of your driveway and shovel snow in the direction of traffic to avoid shoveling twice after City snow plows come through.

If you believe that a City of Grand Ledge plow damaged your mailbox during snow removal, please contact the Department of Public Services at 517-627-2144.

No, your fixed water rate will not increase. Please note water and sewer rates are different from one another and are calculated at different rates on your bill. When the IRP initially began to fail, City Council knew a costly solution would be required to continue to provide residents with safe drinking water. In 2017, fixed water rates began to increase as a proactive measure to cover the debt burden of the water treatment system improvements. Revenue from utility bills must be sufficient to cover costs of State mandated maintenance, operations and improvements. Because City Council recognized the anticipated costs of this project and adjusted rates accordingly at the time, fixed water rates will not be raised at this time.

When reviewing options for water supply and treatment in Grand Ledge, City Council thoroughly compared the implications and costs of the following options:

1. No Action
2. Optimization of Existing Facilities
3. Regional Option (Connecting to BWL)
4. Construction of New IRP

 The cost to connect to BWL's infrastructure and water supply would have been 2-3x the cost of building a new IRP. To review the studies on each option click here.

Water in Grand Ledge provided to residents and businesses meets every standard set forth by the State of Michigan's Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). These can all be reviewed in our Annual Water Quality Report. Many customers will experience improved water quality as iron and manganese (naturally occurring minerals that cause discoloration) will be removed from the water supply in an effective and efficient manner. Unfortunately, old plumbing and aging infrastructure can affect water as it is delivered to your tap. Discoloration, many times, is cause by the plumbing inside the home or business. Of the 47 miles of water mains that make up the City's water system, almost 11 miles of that total have been constructed or replaced since 2000. These continued improvements will always improve the look and smell of water.

That being said, the new IRP does not soften water. The level of hardness in tap water is determined by the amount of calcium and magnesium in the water, both of which are common minerals found in the City’s groundwater supply. Most City water customers receive water with moderate hardness. The City of Grand Ledge tests water 16 times each month to ensure the water is safe to drink.

No. City Council did not take this decision lightly. A public forum for input was held on November 9, 2020, to gather feedback on three options (new IRP, new water softening system, or connection to BWL). The forum was announced publicly as a public notice, on our website, and on Facebook. Public Hearings were held many times throughout the process of determining a plan, gathering research, the bidding process, etc. Residents are always welcome to sign up for public hearing notifications.

Within two weeks of election day, to avoid possible postal delays, we recommend making your request in person at your local city or township clerk office. You’ll be able to fill out and submit your ballot while there.

• Online – Registered voters can request an absentee ballot online through our absentee voter request form before 5 p.m. the Friday before the election.
• Call your city or township clerk and ask that an application be mailed to you
• Download an application to return by mail or in person to your local city or township clerk
• In person at your local city or township clerk’s office

What are my other options for requesting an absentee ballot?

• Call your city or township clerk and ask that an application be mailed to you
• Download an application to return by mail or in person to your local clerk or township. When submitting your absentee ballot application, you also have the option to sign up to join the permanent mail ballot list. Voters whose names are on the permanent ballot list will automatically receive an absentee ballot from their local clerk in each future election for which they are eligible to vote.

Absent voter ballot applications

• Apply online
• Apply online for an accessible electronic absent voter ballot
• Download an absent voter ballot application
• Descargue una solicitud de boleta de voto ausente
• Download an absent voter ballot application - Arabic version
• Download an absent voter ballot application - Bengali version
• Download an absent voter ballot application - Farsi version
• Download an absent voter ballot application - Large print version

Online and mail requests for an absentee ballot must be received by your township or city clerk no later than 5 p.m. the Friday before the election. If you’re already registered at your current address, you can request an absent voter ballot in person at your clerk’s office anytime up to 4 p.m. on the day prior to the election.

If you’re registering to vote or updating your address by appearing at your clerk’s office on Election Day, you can request an absent voter ballot at the same time you register. If you request your AV ballot the day before the election or on Election Day, you must vote the ballot in the clerk's office.

All registered voters can track their ballot by looking up their information in the Michigan Voter Information Center..

If an emergency, like a sudden illness or family death prevents you from reaching the polls on Election Day, you may request an emergency absent voter ballot.

Requests for an emergency ballot must be submitted after the deadline for regular absent voter ballots has passed but before 4 p.m. on Election Day.

The emergency must have occurred at a time which made it impossible for you to apply for a regular absent voter ballot. Please contact your local clerk for more information about emergency absent voter ballots.

If a voter has already voted absentee and wishes to change their vote (because the candidate has dropped out of the race, or for any other reason), a voter can spoil their ballot by submitting a written request to their city or township clerk.

• The voter must sign the request and state if they would like a new absentee ballot mailed to them or if they will pick it up in person at the clerk’s office.
• This request must be received by 5 p.m. on the second Friday before the election if the absentee ballot has been returned to the clerk. There is no option during the mandatory early voting period or an Election Day to spoil an absentee ballot that has been received by the clerk.
• An absentee ballot that has not been returned to the clerk may be spoiled in person at the clerk’s office until 4 p.m. the Monday prior to the election.
• If a voter has not returned his or her ballot, the voter can surrender the ballot or sign a statement stating that the ballot was lost or destroyed and vote in person at an early voting site or on Election Day.

You can register to vote and vote in person on Election Day at your city or township clerk’s office. You’ll need to bring your proof of residency.

To be eligible to register to vote you must be:

• A Michigan resident (at the time you register) and a resident of your city or township for at least 30 days (when you vote)
• A United States citizen
• At least 18 years of age (when you vote)
• Not currently serving a sentence in jail or prison

Proof of residency:

You must show proof of where you live. Documents must have your name and current address. You can show a digital copy of documents. Acceptable documents include:

• Michigan driver’s license or state ID
• Current utility bill
• Bank statement
• Paycheck or government check
• Other government document

You can register at any time up to 8 p.m. on Election Day at your city or township clerk’s office. If you’re registering another way, your voter registration application must be received or postmarked at least 15 days before the election.

If you're from Michigan and go to school here:

Register to vote at your school address or your home address.

If you're from Michigan and go to a school outside the state:

Register to vote at your home address in Michigan.

If you're not from Michigan but go to school here:

Register to vote at your school address in Michigan.

If you have a Michigan driver’s license or state ID card, and you are registered to vote in Michigan, your voter registration address and the address on your ID will be the same.

If you change the address on one, it will automatically change the other. The Secretary of State will mail you a sticker with your new address to place on your license or ID card.

You can register at one of the following locations:

• Online at Michigan.gov/VoterRegistration;
• At a Secretary of State branch office;
• At your city or township clerk’s office or your county clerk’s office;
• At any state agency that provides public assistance or services to people with disabilities;
• Through a voter registration drive; or,
• By mailing in a completed voter registration application postmarked at least 15 days before the election.

Within 14 days before the election, all applications must be submitted to your local city or township clerk’s office in person.

The City Clerk conducts all federal, state, county, local, and special elections held within the City. All registered voters in the City vote at:
Sawdon School Administration Building
220 Lamson Street
Grand Ledge, MI 48837

For all elections, polls are open from 7 am to 8 pm Anyone standing in line at 8 pm will be allowed to vote.

View the Voting Precinct Map (PDF), or use the interactive map below to identify your voting Precinct.

Voting systems can vary from county to county, so learn about what to expect before you arrive at the polls.

View specific information about voting equipment in your county

View specific information about Hart, ES&S and Dominion voting systems

You will be asked to show ID when you check in to vote. If you don’t have one, you can still vote.

If this happens, expect a poll worker to ask you to sign a form before you vote that explains you didn’t have an ID. Your ballot will be included with all others and counted.

ID types you can use to check in are:

• Michigan driver's license or state ID (may be expired)
• Driver's license or state ID issued by another state
• Federal, state or local government-issued photo ID
• U.S. passport
• Military photo ID
• Photo ID from an educational institution
• Tribal photo ID

Michigan voters have the right to cast a ballot early and in person at an early voting site before Election Day. Early voting will be available beginning with the presidential primary in 2024 and every statewide and federal election thereafter. Early voting allows a voter to cast a ballot before Election Day, in an experience similar to voting on Election Day. During the early voter period, voters are issued a ballot and can then insert their ballot directly into a tabulator at their early voting site.

Early voting will be available in all jurisdictions statewide and federal elections for 9 days beginning with the second Saturday before an election and ending on the Sunday before Election Day. Cities and townships may offer additional early voting beyond this period.

Learn more about Early In-Person Voting

You can also vote early with an absentee ballot at your local clerk's office during the 40 days before an upcoming election. Voters can now also take an absentee ballot to their early voting site or Election Day polling place and place that ballot into a tabulator themselves. On Election Day, registered voters who have not already voted early at an early voting site or returned an absent voter ballot must vote at their local polling place. Unregistered voters must go to their clerk's office to register and vote there or at their polling place. Use this page to learn more about voting in a polling place.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time. You have the right to vote if you are in line by 8 p.m.

Voters with print disabilities may apply for an accessible electronic absent voter ballot that can be completed electronically, printed, and returned to the local clerk. To apply online for an accessible electronic absent voter ballot, click here. Voters may also sign up for the permanent accessible ballot list while submitting their request. Voters whose names are on the permanent accessible absent ballot list will automatically receive an accessible absentee ballot from their local clerk in each future election for which they are eligible.

All voters, including voters with disabilities, have access to a Voter Assist Terminal in all polling places. The Voter Assist Terminal helps the voter mark a ballot. It will mark the ballot with the voter's choices but does not tally the votes. Once the ballot is marked, it is counted in exactly the same fashion as all other ballots.

You have the right to an accessible polling place and an accessible voting machine.

During the early voting period or on Election Day, you can send someone into the polling place to request curbside voting on your behalf. The election inspectors will bring a ballot outside so you can vote.

You have the right to vote independently using an accessible voting machine. If you would like to use an accessible voting machine, tell an election official when you arrive to vote.

You have the right to assistance from the election officials. You can ask the election officials for instructions on how to use the voting equipment or assistance at any time, even after you’ve entered the voting booth.

If you are blind, disabled, or unable to read or write, you have the right to assistance from anyone you choose. However, the person cannot be:

• Your employer
• An agent of your employer
• An officer or agent of your labor union

Election officials must consider accessibility inside the polling place. You should find:

• Adequate lighting and seating
• At least 1 voting station that can accommodate a person who is seated
• Access to a Voter Assist Terminal

If you do not read or write English and a ballot is not available in your language, you have the right to assistance from anyone you choose. However, the person cannot be:

• Your employer
• An agent of your employer
• An officer or agent of your labor union

The community has been asking for an upgraded playground since 2017, when the Jaycee Park Master Plan was created by input from residents and businesses. The target completion for the playground was the end of November 2025, and we exceeded that goal. By assembling all of the project funding by June 2025, the city was able to initiate the equipment order, dismantle the old equipment, and get to work on the new playground. As of mid-November 2025, the playground is open for the public to use and enjoy. 

The remaining elements, such as landscaping and adding benches, will be completed as early as the weather allows in 2026. A festive ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held in early summer 2026 to mark the project’s official completion. 

As of May 15, 2025, the city has received funding commitments for 78% of the $1.25 million needed. But we are not at the finish line, yet!

To unlock additional funding and build out the complete project this fall, we must reach the community crowdfunding goal of $75,000 by June 1, 2025. You might wonder why we have sponsorship levels up to $250,000 if our community crowdfunding goal is $75,000. The answer is simple: We’re still working to close a $270,000 gap to fund the full, inclusive design without delays or compromises. To do that, the city is actively pursuing multiple funding streams, including grants, business sponsorships, and the community crowdfunding campaign. Each piece is essential. The city is extremely hopeful that the numerous competitive grant applications that have been submitted will be successful and that the essential community crowdfunding goals can be met. Together, we can do this!

The following is the list of committed funds for the playground as of May 15, 2025:

There is no question that “playgrounds” are significantly more expensive than one might think. It is important to note that the estimated $1.25 million cost for the city’s new playground is not just the fun swings and tall slides. The playground budget is made up of three categories:

• EQUIPMENT & FREIGHT: 41% for the equipment and freight (the cost of shipping it to Grand Ledge).
• CONSTRUCTION: 38% for the construction, which includes all of the new ADA sidewalks, retaining walls (necessary due to the significant elevation challenges at Jaycee Park), poured-in-place rubber surfacing and artificial turf, railings, excavation, grading, and engineering.
• LABOR & CONTINGENCY: 21% for the person-power to do all of this work and contingency funds (critical to include for a project of this magnitude).

Playgrounds, especially those engineered to exceed ADA standards and meet Universal Design Principles, are more expensive than playgrounds without these amenities. For example, the universally accessible playground that opened in 2023 at Adado Riverfront Park in downtown Lansing cost $3.2 million to construct.

To ensure a high-quality product at the most responsible price, the city is utilizing a cooperative government purchasing program to source the playground equipment.

The new ADA Inclusive Playground’s design goes beyond the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards to meet Universal Design Principles, as verified by the Disability Network Capital Area. The playground was able to meet this high standard for its equitable, simple, intuitive, and flexible use. It will also have sidewalks that directly connect to other existing ADA sidewalks and the ADA Riverwalk Trail. The equipment provides both ramps and transfer areas, with play panels and free-standing play activities that can be accessed while sitting or standing. The surrounding playground surfaces will be poured-in-place rubber and artificial turf. There are both portable ADA restrooms within 150 feet and permanent ADA restrooms within 500 feet of the new playground. Jaycee Park offers over 100 parking spaces with 10 dedicated handicapped spaces.

All of this is to help ensure the new playground is easier to use for everyone, including those with disabilities, can enjoy the playground and the beauty of Jaycee Park.

The city welcomed over 57,000 visitors to Jaycee Park in 2024! The need for not only an inclusive play space but also ADA access into and out of the steep inclines of Jaycee Park is a necessity for numerous reasons, with two main areas of concern: people of all ages with mobility disabilities and an increasing aging population.

MOBILITY ISSUES. According to Census.gov, approximately 13% of Michigan residents, 18+ years old, have a mobility disability. Statistically, this equates to over 1,000 people in Grand Ledge, over 14,700 in Eaton County, and nearly 64,000 in the Tri-County Region of Eaton, Ingham, and Clinton Counties. For Michigan children over the age of 5, 7.6% have an ambulatory disability with serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs. The estimated number of children in the Tri-County area with ambulatory disabilities is nearly 3,500. Accessing pristine views of the Grand River and enjoying an outdoor setting with accessible play options is not only a concern for the person with the disability but also their family and friends who want to enjoy the outdoors and play together. Using the average family size of 3.1, these figures roughly equate to nearly 210,000 people in the Tri-County area who must carefully plan before visiting an outdoor park to ensure that everyone has safe options to play together.

AGING COMMUNITY. According to Census.gov, approximately 39% of people living in the state of Michigan are over the age of 50. The city’s population is 7,784, with just over 3,000 (39%) residents over 50. The draw to Jaycee Park is vast and brings more than just city residents to enjoy the no-cost outdoor park. Jaycee Park welcomes visitors from the Tri-County area of Eaton, Ingham, and Clinton Counties, of which 184,000 are over 50.

According to the AARP, in 10 years the population will reach the point where those over the age of 65 will surpass the number of those under the age of 18. The ability to access outdoor recreation activities, with younger family or friends, will be even more important. With many older adults wanting to “age in place”, Grand Ledge welcomes them with thoughtful amenities geared to help everyone stay active and connected. The city is focused on helping residents, and those residents within the surrounding communities, to live where their needs can be met.

The city has received tremendous support to bring a universally designed wheelchair swing to Jaycee Park. This initiative is separate from the new playground; however, space for the wheelchair swing has been integrated into the playground design while the city assembles the funding. The city has received a grant from the Michigan Paralyzed Veterans of America and a private donor through the Friends of the Grand Ledge Chamber of Commerce. To assemble the additional support needed for this wheelchair swing, the city has applied for funding through the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for this $150,000 project.

This project is not for a typical wheelchair swing as the city seeks to bring a We-Go-Swing to Jaycee Park. The We-Go-Swing is a unique design that welcomes people of all ages and abilities, with space for wheelchair and non-wheelchair users to swing together. The nearest We-Go-Swings are more than 70 miles away, both located on the state’s east side. Jaycee Park will be the first in mid-Michigan to offer this inclusive amenity. 

More information about the We-Go-Swing: https://www.playlsi.com/en/commercial-playground-equipment/playground-components/we-go-swing/

Video of the We-Go-Swing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAE19rI0VO0

If the city is successful with the DNR funding, the We-Go-Swing will be installed in the summer of 2026.

PAVILION: The city has received a lot of input regarding the pavilion that was removed in 2023 due to safety concerns. Due to the significant feedback, the city will be rebuilding a pavilion along with the new playground.

TREES: There will be two new trees planted with the landscaping for the new playground.