Michigan: Can car dealerships open on Sundays?
Michigan bans Sunday car sales, but only in counties with 130,000 or more people.
A 1953 law makes it a misdemeanor to buy, sell, trade, or negotiate motor vehicle deals on Sunday, or to keep a dealership open for those purposes. The law does not apply in counties with fewer than 130,000 residents in the latest federal census, so the rule depends on where the dealer is. People who observe a Saturday Sabbath and close that day are exempt. A court can also suspend or revoke a dealer's license for a violation.
Conditions
- Applies only in counties with 130,000 or more residents (latest federal census)
- Exemption for dealers who observe a Saturday Sabbath and close that day
What the law says
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to engage in the business of buying, selling, trading or exchanging new, used or second-hand motor vehicles or offering to buy, sell, trade or exchange, or participate in the negotiation thereof, or attempt to buy, sell, trade or exchange any motor vehicle or interest therein, or of any written instrument pertaining thereto, on the first day of the week, commonly called Sunday. ... This act shall not apply to counties having a population under 130,000 inhabitants according to the latest or each succeeding federal decennial census.
Sources
- MCL 435.251-435.254 (Act 66 of 1953) Official · legislature.mi.gov
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- Michigan Department of State
- Website
- michigan.gov
How bordering states compare
- Indiana Sunday car sales bannedIndiana makes it a crime to be in the business of buying, selling, or trading cars on Sunday.
- Ohio Sunday sales allowedOhio has no state law that stops licensed car dealers from selling on Sunday.
- Wisconsin Sunday car sales bannedWisconsin bans car dealers from staying open on Sunday to buy, sell, or lease vehicles.