Building Safety in Westland, MI

Westland maintains 112 local ordinances across all categories, and 5 of those deal specifically with building safety. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Westland falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Plumbing Permits

Westland adopted the State Construction Code's Plumbing Code by ordinance and administers all plumbing permitting, inspection, and enforcement itself.

Key details: Adopting ordinance: Ord. No. 191-B-8, §§7,8 (8-20-01). Penalty range: $100.00 to $500.00 fine. Code enforced: State Construction Code. Plumbing Code. Administering agency: City of Westland Building Department.

Violating the adopted Plumbing Code is a municipal civil infraction under Sec. 22-102, punishable by a fine of not less than $100.00 nor more than $500.00.

Electrical Permits

Westland adopted the State Construction Code's Electrical Code by ordinance and administers all electrical permitting, inspection, and enforcement itself.

Key details: Adopting ordinance: Ord. No. 121-J-1 (6-19-00). Amended by: Ord. No. 121-J-3 (10-15-2007). Penalty range: $100.00 to $500.00 fine. Code enforced: State Construction Code. Electrical Code.

Violating the adopted Electrical Code is a municipal civil infraction under Sec. 22-57, punishable by a fine of not less than $100.00 nor more than $500.00.

Building Inspections

Owners of registered vacant buildings in Westland must pay for a city safety inspection and certify by affidavit that key building systems are sound or safely disconnected.

Key details: Applies to: Registered vacant buildings. Owner must certify: Systems sound or disconnected. Adopted: Ord. 29-W-35, 6-6-11. Fine: $500 civil infraction.

Failure to obtain the required inspection or file the affidavit is a municipal civil infraction under § 22-634, carrying a $500 fine plus court costs, and the city may pursue nuisance abatement or demolition under MCL 125.539(i).

Green Building Code

Westland's zoning ordinance encourages, but doesn't mandate, LEED-NC or EnergyStar certification for new non-residential buildings, with specific LEED material credits recommended when certification isn't pursued.

Key details: Governing law: Westland Zoning Ordinance Art. XI § 11.12.5(b). Status: Encouraged, not mandatory. Recommended rating: LEED-NC or EnergyStar certification. Fallback credits: LEED-NC MR 4-7 material credits. Adopted: Ordinance No. 248, effective Jan. 1, 2025.

There's no penalty for skipping LEED-NC or EnergyStar certification: section 11.12.5(b) is worded as encouragement, so noncompliance with the green-building language isn't itself a code violation.

The rules around green building code in Westland lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Building Permits

Westland adopted the Michigan Building Code by ordinance and administers all permitting and inspection for interior renovations and remodels itself.

Key details: Adopting ordinance: Ord. No. 191-B-8 (8-20-01). Amended by: Ord. No. 107-A (9-2-2008). Code enforced: Michigan Building Code, as amended. Administering agency: City of Westland Building Department.

Renovating without a permit, or violating the adopted Building Code, is a misdemeanor or municipal civil infraction under Sec. 22-32, enforced by city-issued appearance tickets.

The Bottom Line

Westland's building safety rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Westland is broadly strict or permissive.

This guide is based on Westland's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.