Dearborn, MI Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)
Key Facts
- Notice required
- 24 hours before inspection
- Must provide
- address, permit number, inspection type
- Enforcing dept.
- Building and safety department
- Max penalty
- $500 fine or 90 days jail
Summary
Dearborn requires permit holders to give the building and safety department 24 hours' notice before any required construction inspection, specifying address, permit number, and inspection type.
Section 113.2. Required inspections. It shall be the duty of the holder of every permit for a building or other structure or installation to notify the building and safety department, 24 hours prior to the time for which an appointment for inspection is being made, by giving the street address, permit number, and type of inspection requested.
(7) Section 116.4. Violation penalties. Any person who shall violate a provision of this code or shall fail to comply with any of the requirements thereof or who shall erect, construct, alter or repair a building or structure in violation of an approved plan or directive of the building official, or of a permit or certificate issued under the provisions of this code, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by fine of not more than $500.00, plus costs, or by imprisonment not exceeding 90 days, or both such fine and imprisonment. Each day that a violation continues shall be deemed a separate offense.
(8) Section 117.2. Unlawful continuance. Any person who shall continue any work in or about the structure after having been served with a stop-work order, except such work as he is directed to perform to remove a violation or unsafe conditions, shall be liable to a fine of not less than $100.00 or more than $500.00 or by imprisonment not to exceed 90 days or both, plus costs.
(9) Section 121.2. Membership of the board. The membership of the building
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-07: Code: Updated through: July 22, 2026 | Zoning: Updated through: July 22, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Under Sec. 5-27(6) of the Dearborn Code, amending Section 113.2 of the adopted Michigan Building Code, every building permit holder must notify the building and safety department 24 hours before the desired inspection appointment, giving the street address, permit number, and type of inspection requested. Permits must also be displayed on-site per Sec. 5-27(1)-(2), and no final inspection or certificate of occupancy issues until grading complies with the approved plot plan under Sec. 5-27(4).
Violations & Fines
Failure to schedule required inspections or building without a properly displayed permit triggers a stop-work order; violating the building code is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $500 plus costs, or up to 90 days imprisonment, or both, with each day a separate offense (Sec. 5-27(7)).
Frequently Asked Questions
How much notice does Dearborn require before a building inspection?
Can I get a final inspection before grading is done?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Dearborn
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