Macomb Township suspends Showtime Novelty vendor permits after repeated code violations

Macomb Township suspended the vendor permits for Showtime Novelty at 15255 Howell Road and 46900 North Avenue after township staff said the operator repeatedly failed to follow permit conditions and building and fire codes.

Clerk Christy Posey told the board staff recommended revocation because the vendor "repeatedly faile[d] to comply with the township's ordinances and the approvals given based on their application," including incomplete paperwork and missed inspections. Fire prevention staff reported that tents at the sites lacked required flame‑retardant certified tops and that field inspections were not requested before noncompliant tops and sides were installed. "The tent that they had purchased says right in their application, it is not flame resistant, keep away from flame," the fire prevention representative said, citing the International Fire Code (IFC) 2015 requirements.

Code enforcement added that two open permits (electrical and building) remain unresolved at the locations. The clerk asked the vendors to respond; a representative identified as Richard said, "We don't have the tops in yet... We put temporary top that was flame retardant and didn't think nothing of it," and later said a custom top with certification was expected to arrive.

Township legal counsel outlined the board's options, saying the board could order operations to cease until code requirements were met: "The operations cannot, must cease and desist until you meet and abide by all the code requirements," counsel said.

Trustees debated rescinding the permits immediately or suspending them until staff sign off on inspections. An initial motion to revoke the permits failed on a 3–4 vote. The board then approved a motion to suspend both permits "until such time as all department staff have signed off on the permits and they are in full compliance with our ordinances." The board instructed staff that any operation before sign‑off would be subject to citations and enforcement, including sheriff involvement.

The suspension applies to both locations named on the applications. Township staff noted practical constraints: many inspectors will be unavailable during the holiday break, so the vendors must complete outstanding inspections quickly or remain closed until sign‑off.

The board’s action addresses both public‑safety concerns cited by inspectors and the township’s process for temporary vendor permits. The vendors were encouraged to coordinate directly with township staff to complete required inspections and documentation.

Next steps: the vendors must obtain the necessary fire‑code certifications and complete outstanding electrical and building inspections to have their permits reinstated.