Sec. 14.

(1) Except as provided in subsections (2) and (3), "established place of business" means the place actually occupied either continuously or at regular periods by a dealer or manufacturer where his or her books and records are kept and a large share of his or her business transacted.

(2) Established place of business for a class (a) or class (b) dealer means premises that meet all of the following requirements:

(a) The premises contain, except as otherwise provided in this act, a permanently enclosed building or structure either owned, leased, or rented by a dealer, which is not a residence, tent, temporary stand, or any temporary quarters; the building or structure is continuously occupied in good faith for the purpose of selling, buying, trading, leasing, or otherwise dealing in motor vehicles; all books, records, and files necessary to conduct the business of a class (a) or class (b) dealer are maintained in the building or structure; and the building or structure houses an office of at least 150 square feet in size, equipped with standard office furniture, working utilities, a working restroom, and a working telephone listed in the name of the business on the dealer's license.

(b) The premises have land space of no less than 1,300 square feet to accommodate the display of a minimum of 10 vehicles of the kind and type that the dealer is licensed to sell and an additional 650 square feet for customer parking. The display and customer parking areas shall be adequately surfaced and well-lit during business hours.

(c) The premises are identified by an exterior sign displaying the name of the dealership that is permanently affixed to the building or land with letters clearly visible from a highway.

(d) The premises contain a conspicuous posting of the dealer's regular hours of operation. The posted hours shall be not less than 30 hours per week.

(e) The premises contain a registered repair facility on site for the repair and servicing of motor vehicles of a type sold at the established place of business, unless the dealer has entered into a written servicing agreement with a registered repair facility at a location not to exceed 10 miles' distance from the established place of business. If repairs are conducted pursuant to a servicing agreement, the servicing agreement shall be conspicuously posted in the office.

(f) The premises meet all applicable zoning requirements and municipal requirements.

(3) An established place of business for a wholesaler shall satisfy all of the following requirements:

(a) The premises shall contain a permanently enclosed building or structure that is either owned, leased, or rented by a wholesaler, which is not a commercial mailbox, tent, temporary stand, or other temporary quarters.

(b) All books, records, and files necessary to conduct the business of the wholesaler shall be maintained in the building or structure described in subdivision (a).

(c) The premises shall not be used for the display of vehicles. However, the premises may be used for the storage of vehicles purchased by the wholesaler prior to sale to a licensed vehicle dealer.

(d) The premises shall be identified by an exterior sign displaying the name of the wholesaler that is permanently affixed to the building or land with letters clearly visible from the roadway.

(e) The premises shall satisfy all applicable zoning requirements and any other applicable municipal requirements.

History: 1949, Act 300, Eff. Sept. 23, 1949 ;-- Am. 2004, Act 495, Eff. Jan. 31, 2005 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 498, Eff. Mar. 28, 2013