Building Safety in Ann Arbor, MI (2026)
5 verified building safety rules for Ann Arbor, Michigan, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Lead Paint
Ann Arbor's Housing Code flatly bans lead paint in dwellings and cites peeling interior paint in food-prep or living areas, or 15%-plus peeling exterior paint, as a code violation.
Ann Arbor Lead Paint Prohibition
Heavy RestrictionsAnn Arbor City Code § 8:509(10)(a) (Chapter 105, Housing Code)
Peeling paint shall be cited under general repair requirements as follows: (a) Interior: In food preparation areas and/or eating areas. In other areas within the dwelling/unit where the deterioration is continuous and there is evidence of flaking or falling paint. Lead paint is prohibited.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Ann Arbor requires a working carbon monoxide detector on every story of single- and two-family rentals with a fuel-fired appliance or attached garage, plus one outside each sleeping area, regardless of age.
Ann Arbor Carbon Monoxide Detector Rule
Some RestrictionsAnn Arbor City Code § 8:527(1)(b)
Carbon monoxide detectors, in single and 2-family dwellings that contain a fuel-fired appliance or have an attached garage with a common door, regardless of the year the dwelling was constructed. In each individual dwelling unit, there shall be a minimum of 1 detector on each story and there shall be a detector installed outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the be...
Building Permits
Ann Arbor enforces Michigan's state Building Code as its own Construction Code, so any work covered by that code, new construction, additions, alterations, needs a permit from the Building Official.
Ann Arbor Building Permits Under Chapter 100
Some RestrictionsAnn Arbor City Code § 8:101 (Chapter 100, Construction Code)
The Building Code, as promulgated by the State of Michigan under the authority of the Stille-DeRossett-Hale Single State Construction Code Act PA 230 of 1972, including Appendix G, as amended, shall be enforced by the City of Ann Arbor. The city shall have the power to enforce the provisions of the Building Code and any other applicable construction regulations, and to prevent violations and im...
Electrical Permits
Ann Arbor requires a Michigan electrical license, registration with the Building Department, and a city permit before anyone performs electrical work, with a narrow homeowner exception.
Ann Arbor Electrical Work Permit Rule
Some RestrictionsAnn Arbor City Code § 8:102 (Chapter 100, Construction Code)
...nor shall any person(s), firm or corporation work at, contract for or do any electrical work within the City of Ann Arbor without first registering the license with the Building Department and obtaining the proper permit from the Building Department. Bona fide homeowner(s) may do work in their own residence (place of abode) without a license if qualified to do so by the Michigan Electrical C...
Plumbing Permits
Ann Arbor requires a registered master plumber's license and a Planning and Development Services permit before any plumbing work, with an inspected homeowner exception.
Ann Arbor Plumbing Work Permit Rule
Some RestrictionsAnn Arbor City Code § 8:104 (Chapter 100, Construction Code)
No person(s), firm or corporation shall work at, contract for or do any plumbing work within the City of Ann Arbor without first registering their master plumbers license with and obtaining the proper permits from Planning and Development Services, nor shall any Journeyman or Apprentice plumber work at or do plumbing without being registered. Registration of all master, journeyman, and apprenti...