# Mich. Comp. Laws § 221.20: Public highway; definition, width

> Michigan · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MI_C220_AAct-283-of-1909_S221.20

## Section

- **Citation:** Mich. Comp. Laws § 221.20
- **Heading:** Public highway; definition, width
- **Jurisdiction:** Michigan
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** MI Code / Chapter 220 / Act Act-283-of-1909 / Section 221.20

## Text

Sec. 20.

All highways regularly established in pursuance of existing laws, all roads that shall have been used as such for 10 years or more, whether any record or other proof exists that they were ever established as highways or not, and all roads which have been or which may hereafter be laid out and not recorded, and which shall have been used 8 years or more, shall be deemed public highways, subject to be altered or discontinued according to the provisions of this act. All highways that are or that may become such by time and use, shall be 4 rods in width, and where they are situated on section or quarter section lines, such lines shall be the center of such roads, and the land belonging to such roads shall be 2 rods in width on each side of such lines.

History: 1909, Act 283, Eff. Sept. 1, 1909; CL 1915, 4307; CL 1929, 3936; CL 1948, 221.20

## Nearby sections

- [Mich. Comp. Laws § 220.1 Highways and private roads; establishment and maintenance; authority of municipalities; highway officials, duties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MI_C220_AAct-283-of-1909_S220.1.md)
- [Mich. Comp. Laws § 221.20 Public highway; definition, width.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MI_C220_AAct-283-of-1909_S221.20.md)
- [Mich. Comp. Laws § 221.20a Declaration of road as public highway; consent; petition; action in circuit court; order; purchase or condemnation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MI_C220_AAct-283-of-1909_S221.20a.md)
- [Mich. Comp. Laws § 221.20b Declaration of road as public highway; complaint; deposit.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MI_C220_AAct-283-of-1909_S221.20b.md)
- [Mich. Comp. Laws § 221.20c Order fixing date for hearing; contents of order; service of complaint and order; notice of hearing; service and publication of complaint.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MI_C220_AAct-283-of-1909_S221.20c.md)
- [Mich. Comp. Laws § 221.20d Determining sufficiency of petition; trial date; order.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MI_C220_AAct-283-of-1909_S221.20d.md)
- [Mich. Comp. Laws § 221.20e Applicability of rules for civil actions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MI_C220_AAct-283-of-1909_S221.20e.md)
- [Mich. Comp. Laws § 221.20f Notice of filing of complaint; contents; recordation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MI_C220_AAct-283-of-1909_S221.20f.md)
- [Mich. Comp. Laws § 221.20g Improvement of road by township; standards; special assessment; petition; acceptance of public highway; maintenance.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MI_C220_AAct-283-of-1909_S221.20g.md)
- [Mich. Comp. Laws § 221.20h Acquisition of property by township by gift, purchase, or condemnation; petition; order of taking.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MI_C220_AAct-283-of-1909_S221.20h.md)
- [Mich. Comp. Laws § 221.22 Public highway; discontinuance.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MI_C220_AAct-283-of-1909_S221.22.md)
- [Mich. Comp. Laws § 224.1 Adoption of county road system; referendum; form of resolution; special election; violation of MCL 168.1 to 168.992 applicable to petitions; penalties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MI_C220_AAct-283-of-1909_S224.1.md)
- [Mich. Comp. Laws § 224.2 Election; time notice, form.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MI_C220_AAct-283-of-1909_S224.2.md)
- [Mich. Comp. Laws § 224.3 Election; publication of notice, ballots.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MI_C220_AAct-283-of-1909_S224.3.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MI_C220_AAct-283-of-1909_S221.20. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.