Request to Use County Property

Requests will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. Since the areas available for events and exhibits are limited and the demand is at times high, it is recommended, but not required, that requests be made at least one month in advance.

In order to schedule an event, a sponsor is required to sign an agreement that the sponsor has read, understood, and will abide by the procedures governing the use of the public areas of the Old Courthouse (OCH); that the sponsor is responsible for damages incurred as a result of its event or exhibit; that the sponsor will pay to have restored the area used for its event or exhibit to the condition that existed prior to its use; and that it will indemnify and hold harmless the Count of Lenawee for any damage or loss incurred arising out of its use of county property. Any sponsor that fails to abide by the terms of the agreement will not be permitted to schedule a future event until the outstanding obligations have been fully satisfied.

The following apply to all public areas of the Old Courthouse (OCH). 

1. In order to maintain the security, safety, and aesthetic appearance of the building and grounds, and to provide for regular maintenance, improvements or alterations, scheduled events on the grounds shall occur between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., and shall at no time impede free access to the building by its occupants or the public. 
2. No public event or exhibit may discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability. 
3. The County Administrator may delay or postpone any scheduled event due to unforeseen circumstances.
4. Individuals or organizations are responsible for returning the areas used in conducting their events to their original condition. Individuals or organizations are responsible for any vandalism, damage, breakage, loss, or other destruction to the OCH caused by that individual or organization. Costs will be assessed to individuals or organizations for damages incurred. The cost of the repair will include the costs for the services of specialists in relevant historical restoration skills as determined by the County Administrator. 
5. Individuals or organizations using the OCH shall indemnify and hold harmless the County of Lenawee, its departments, agents and employees, from and against any and all suits, damages, claims, or other liabilities due to personal injury or death; damage to or loss of property to the County or to others; or for any other injury or damage arising out of or resulting from the use of the OCH. 
6. Alcoholic beverages shall not be served or consumed on any County property. 
7. Food and beverages may be served at a scheduled event if all of the following criteria are met: 
   •Food and beverages shall be provided by a state licensed caterer; otherwise, individuals or organizations shall obtain a temporary food stand license from the Lenawee County Health Department, Bureau of Environmental Health, as required by state law (Public Act 368 of 1978).
   •The applicant assumes responsibility for the preparation, service, and consumption of all food and beverages provided during the event.
   •The food and beverage service will not cause physical damage to the OCH building or grounds.
8. Posting or affixing signs, announcements, or other documents on any exterior or interior wall, ceiling, floor, door, window or other surface of the public areas of the OCH not designed for that purpose is prohibited. Stickers, labels, tape, or any other adhesive material that might leave a residue or otherwise damage interior or exterior surfaces of the building, including porches, stairs, statuary, monuments, light wells, fences and trees is also prohibited. Likewise, tacks, nails, staples or other attachments may not be used. Display board space may be requested or arranged through the Administrator’s Office. 
9. No item may be leaned against exterior or interior walls, pillars, portraits, furnishings, staircases, or other feature of the building. 
10. The County does not provide any equipment for events. An electrical outlet is available at the front of the OCH . 
11. No sound amplifying equipment may be used whose sound level interferes with the conduct of public business by agencies of the County which occupy or use the OCH, surrounding county buildings or adjacent private businesses. 
12. A banner, in connection with a scheduled event, may be suspended from the front step balcony during the event, but not exceeding 12 hours on one day in any given year. The banner must be attached to and removed by County maintenance staff and a reasonable fee may be charged. The banner should be delivered to the Administrator’s Office twenty-four hours prior to the scheduled event. 
13. Stepping or climbing upon statues, monuments, fences, lighting fixtures, light wells, trees, or parts of the building not intended for such purposes is not allowed.
14. Equipment or structures of any kind that are placed on the OCH grounds in connection with an event shall be entirely removed at the conclusion of the event. 
15. Camping or sleeping overnight on County grounds is not allowed. 
16. Vehicles are not allowed on the County grounds, except in areas designated for vehicular use, without permission of the Administrator.