Welcome to the Student Living Section
The City of Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan mutually benefit from our many “town & gown” relationships. The university is a magnet for outstanding students, faculty and staff, which help create a vibrant, culturally rich community. The City of Ann Arbor dovetails with the campus to provide award-winning municipal services. On behalf of the city, its residents, not-for-profits and businesses — we look forward to being your neighbors.
Reminders from the City of Ann Arbor Police Department
Lock Out Crime: Did you know that 90 percent of all Ann Arbor crime is stolen-property related? That 55 percent of all A2 thefts are due to unlocked doors — most of these within the near-campus area? Always keep your doors, windows, and cars locked and valuables out of sight. Report all suspicious activity to 911. The AAPD Web page has more student safety tips, crimes of opportunity facts, Lock Out Crime poster, holiday safety tips, etc.
Register for Ann Arbor’s free CodeRED emergency situation phone notification.
Join a nation-wide effort to program and code as "ICE" a phone number on your cell phone to someone to call In Case of Emergency (ICE). The emergency responder can save precious time helping you if you are ever unconscious but have your cell phone on you.
Underage drinking is a crime and enforced by the AAPD. The University of Michigan offers an online Intelligent Drinking, Drug Use & Wellness guide and services.
Recycling & Waste Services Summary
Student Guide to Off-Campus Waste Services: All refuse must be placed inside trash carts, trash dumpsters or recycling bins. All loose debris is subject to tickets and fines. You must make your own disposal arrangements through private haulers or the Drop-Off Station to handle your bulky wastes, such as furniture, TV's, mattresses, electronics and overflowing trash.
Recycling: Every Ann Arbor off campus residential unit is eligible for up to three free recycling bins delivered to your home by leaving a message at 99-GREEN (734.994.7336). For Recycling information, call Recycle Ann Arbor 734.662.6288.
Map of weekly collection days. Place all waste containers (refuse carts, recycling bins and optional Compostables) at the curb before 7 a.m. and return the empty containers to the side or rear of your building by noon the next day.
Off Campus Parking
Residential Parking Districts exist throughout the City, such as in the North Burns Park and Oxbridge neighborhoods. Look for signs on along the street indicating the boundaries and conditions of permit only parking. Residents in these areas are eligible for for-fee parking permits.
Public parking lots and structure locations.
How to contest a parking ticket.
How to Pay Parking Tickets (3 options)
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Use the 24-hour drop boxes at City Hall (Drive-Up Drop Box - 100 N. Fifth Ave.), and 220 E. Huron St. (Must park and enter building on southwest corner of Huron and Fifth Avenue.)
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Online
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By mail, and next-day postmark is eligible for on-time payment discount.
How to resolve a towed vehicle.
Getting Around Without a Car
Sometimes, it’s a lot easier to get around Ann Arbor without a car. You can find some great resources for traveling by bike, bus or walking at the getDowntown and UM Alternative Transportation Web sites. Here are some other helpful links:
Biking
Plan your bike routes by using a map of the Ann Arbor Bikeway System. Check out the rules of the road for bikes. Helmet use is not required in Ann Arbor, but strongly recommended!
Park your bike at hoops and lockers located throughout the city – not sign posts! For UM bike rack locations, check out the UM Alternative Transportation Web site. You also can rent a bike locker in the downtown area for the year.
Walking
Ann Arbor prides itself on being a “walkable” city. If you encounter unsafe conditions in your walking route, such as broken sidewalks, signals or streetlights, call 734.994.2818 or e-mail customerservice@a2gov.org.
Once the snow begins to fly, icy sidewalks can make walking difficult. Property owners are required to clear snow from sidewalks as soon as possible, and usually within 24 hours of a storm. If you encounter problems in your neighborhood, call Community Standards at 734.994.1788 or e-mail communitystandards@a2gov.org.
Be aware that Michigan law isn’t as strong as other states for yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks. Don’t assume that cars will stop. For other tips on being a safe walker, visit the getDowntown Pedestrian Safety Web page.
Transit
Ann Arbor has a comprehensive bus transit system that coordinates with the UM bus system. Your M-Ride card is all you need to board an AATA bus. Bus schedules and trip planners are available on the AATA Web site.
Check out the Link – a special bus that can get you quickly from home to class to work.
Voter Information
The Clerk's Office Manages Elections and City Council Proceedings. To vote, request an absentee ballot, or change your address/voting location visit the City Clerk's Web page.
Locate your Polling place in Ann Arbor.
Off Campus Living
Snow Responsiblities: When the City declares a Snow Emergency, allowable street parking alternates each day to odd/even sides of the street. Sidewalks must be maintained to be free of snow and ice.
The Housing Inspection Bureau routinely inspects all rental property in the City. Visit the website for useful links to common Housing Code violations and the Rights and Duties of Tenants handbook.
Community Standards
Ann Arbor has an enforcement unit to write tickets for litter, improper waste management, illegal parking, snow and ice on sidewalks, etc.
To report a problem or respond to a waste notification, phone 734.994.1788 or e-mail CommunityStandards@a2gov.org
To report an illegal parking problem, phone 734.994.2908.
Parks & Recreation
To rent a park shelter call 734.994.2780, at least a week in advance.
Visit the Parks Web site to:
Return to the city’s main Web page