Lobbyist Registration and Reporting Information

Section 2-6-35 of the 1984 Detroit City Code provides that each person "who wishes to engage in the activity of lobbying," which is defined in Section 2-6-3 of the 1984 Detroit City Code as "all communications with a public servant for the purpose of influencing legislative or executive action," is required to register and report as a lobbyist.  

Section 2-6-3 of the 1984 Detroit City Code defines a lobbyist as: "1) a person whose expenditures for lobbying are more than $1,000 in value in any 12-month period; 2) a person whose expenditures for lobbying are more than $250 in value in any 12-month period where the amount is expended on lobbying a single public official; or 3) a registered lobbyist under applicable law who lobbies City government."

Necessary forms for lobbyist registration and reporting are available below and in the Office of Detroit City Clerk.  The particulars for registering and reporting are as follows:

 Lobbyist Registration Form

• One (1) form is required to be completed and filed by each person who wishes to lobby.
• A new form is required to be completed and filed annually.
• The fee is $125.00 for filing each completed form.
• Lobby Registration Form and applicable sections of Detroit Ethics Ordinance
• Lobby Registration Form Sample

 Supplement to Lobbyist Registration Form (to add or remove client or clients)

• One (1) form is required to be completed and filed for each client.
• The fee is $15.00 for filing each completed form.
• Supplement to Lobbyist Registration Form
• Supplement to Lobbyist Registration Form Sample

Quarterly Reports (to be filed by registered lobbyist for each client)

• A quarterly report is required to be completed and filed for each client based on the filing date of a Lobbyist Registration Form.
• The fee is $25.00 for filing each completed form.
• Quarterly Report Form
• Quarterly Report Form Sample

 All Forms MUST:

1. Be completely filled out;
2. Be notarized prior to filing with the Office of Detroit City Clerk;
3. Be accompanied by the required payment in the form of a check or money order made payable to "City of Detroit;" and
4. Be filed with "Lobbyist Registration & Reporting, Office of Detroit City Clerk, 2 Woodward Avenue, Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, Suite 200, Detroit, Michigan 48226." 

The Office of Detroit City Clerk is committed to ensuring that all individuals are properly registered as lobbyists and that their reporting requirements are met.  If you have any questions, please contact Ebrie Benton, Office of the Detroit City Clerk, at (313) 224-1990, or [email protected].