Local ordinances and zoning laws are aimed at limiting commercial and industrial development while maintaining a cap on population density by way of a master plan.

[5][6] Oakland Township's northern half has its own zip code, "Oakland, Michigan, 48363", while the southern portion of the township shares zip code 48306 with the northernmost portion of adjacent Rochester Hills.

A United States General Land Office opened in 1818, bringing the first permanent settlers to the area.

Township boundaries and area (36 sq mi) were finalized in 1837 when Michigan gained statehood.

The original rail line was in service until the track was removed when Penn Central's railroad operations were taken over by Conrail in 1976[16] The property was purchased by the trail commission representing local governments in 1983 for $450,000.

[17] Oakland Township is one possible location of the final resting place of former Teamsters president Jimmy Hoffa, who has been missing since 1975.

A specific piece of property came under scrutiny in January 2013 after Tony Zerilli, 85, the son of reputed former Detroit Partnership boss Joseph Zerilli, told investigators that Hoffa was buried there.

It was reported that the property had at one time been owned via land contract and intermediate businesses by Jack Tocco, a convicted mobster who also had legitimate real estate holdings in Metro Detroit, including Oakland Township.

Similar to a civil township found elsewhere in the United States, a charter township in Michigan is unique in that it is exempt from annexation by neighboring cities and carries home rule responsibility.

[24] All of these groups have regular meetings that are open to the public and documented with written minutes and videotape available at the township website.

The Oakland Township Fire Department is an advanced life support transporting agency that responds to approximately 900 calls/year, with a majority being medical emergencies.