River Rouge
MI flag

River Rouge

Place

Territory

GEOID
2668760
OCD-ID
ocd-division/country:us/state:mi/place:river_rouge
POP
6,814 (2025)
CENTER
42.2731, -83.1238
SOURCE
census tiger

Government of River Rouge

Bodies, seats, agencies and services that belong to River Rouge itself.

River Rouge City Council
7/7 seats recorded

Organization 15

Departments

  • Animal Control Unit Animal Services

    Operates the River Rouge Animal Shelter at 100 West Pleasant Street: animal adoptions, lost and found animals, animal rescue within the city, and complaints about neglected and loose animals. Residents may bring a stray or injured animal to the shelter at no charge.

  • Building Department Planning

    Enforces building codes and zoning ordinances under the Michigan Building Code and keeps records of construction, alteration, and demolition; issues permits and performs inspections. Hours Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM.

  • City Administration (Mayor's Office) Administration

    City Administration of River Rouge under the Mayor. City Hall, 10600 W. Jefferson Avenue, River Rouge, MI 48218; Main City Hall hours Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM.

  • City Assessor Assessment

    Prepares the assessment and tax rolls for all non-exempt property in the City. Board of Review meets in March (Tuesday after the 1st Monday), July (Tuesday after the 3rd Monday) and December (Tuesday after the 2nd Monday).

  • City Clerk Clerk

    Attends and records all City Council meetings, prepares council agendas and packets, and maintains city codes, ordinances, resolutions and minutes. Handles absentee voting applications, voter registration, business licenses, animal licenses, block party applications, and FOIA requests. Hours Monday-Friday 8:30 am-4:30 pm.

  • City Treasurer Finance

    Collects, safekeeps, and allocates all City revenues, including real and personal property taxes, highway revenues, grants, special assessments, fees, licenses and water revenues. Office on the 1st floor of City Hall.

  • Community Development Department Planning

    Primary contact and liaison for the Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals; administers Community Development Block Grants; reviews site plans, special land use, PUDs, zoning variances and rezoning applications. Planning consultant: McKenna. Director position listed as appointment pending.

  • Department of Public Works Public Works

    Maintains streets, sidewalks, municipal buildings, public grounds and infrastructure, including a Parks and Streets division. Provides bulk pickup (call ahead) and Monday-afternoon grass bag pickup. Hours Monday-Friday 7:30 am-3:30 pm.

  • Fire Department Fire

    River Rouge Fire Department, part of the Public Safety Division under the Director of Public Safety; provides fire protection and emergency services.

  • Legal Department Legal

    Provides legal services to the City of River Rouge, its elected officials, boards, commissions, and departments, including guidance on ordinances, contracts, labor and employment, land use and zoning, litigation, and regulatory compliance.

  • Personnel Department Human Resources

    Administers hiring, employee relations, benefits coordination, policy compliance, and workforce development for the City of River Rouge.

  • Police Department Police

    River Rouge Police Department, part of the Public Safety Division (Police, Fire, Animal Control, Records), led by the Director of Public Safety. Includes a Criminal Investigation Section and the Public Safety Records Bureau. Police and fire dispatch: (313) 842-8700 ext 01.

  • Purchasing Department Finance

    Oversees bidding procedures, vendor coordination, contract administration, and procurement documentation for City departments.

  • Seniors Activity Center Human Services

    River Rouge Activity Center (former Detroit Edison building, restored in 1979) at 10625 West Jefferson Avenue, serving as the Senior Center: lunch Monday-Friday, holiday luncheons, field trips, flu shots, free tax services; Project Hope, Meals on Wheels and monthly food commodities for residents who qualify.

  • Water and Sewer Department Utilities

    Maintains the city's water and sewer infrastructure: meter reading and billing, water main break repairs, catch basin and sewer cleaning and repairs, fire hydrant maintenance. Office in City Hall, Room 204.

Services 14

  • Accident and Incident Reports Police Department
  • Block Party Application City Clerk
  • BS&A Online Property Search City Assessor
  • Building Permit Application Building Department
  • Bulk Item Pickup Department of Public Works
  • Business License Application City Clerk
  • Dog and Cat License City Clerk
  • FOIA Request City Clerk
  • Pay or View Water Bill Online Water and Sewer Department
  • Pet Adoption Application Animal Control Unit
  • Poverty Exemption Application City Assessor
  • Rental Dwelling Application Building Department
  • Vacant Property Registration Building Department
  • Zoning Variance Application Community Development Department