Common violations include blight and abandoned buildings, overgrown lots, illegal dumping, unpermitted construction, failure to maintain property, and junk vehicles. Detroit's blight elimination has been a major city initiative.
The most common violations across Wayne County include: blight and vacant building deterioration (especially in Detroit), overgrown lots and vegetation, illegal dumping and improper waste disposal, junk and inoperable vehicles, unpermitted construction and renovation work, failure to maintain building exteriors (peeling paint, broken windows, damaged roofing), graffiti and vandalism, improper commercial activity in residential zones, and failure to maintain sidewalks and driveways. Detroit has one of the nation's largest blight remediation programs, having demolished over 20,000 blighted structures since 2014. Building codes enforced include the 2015 Michigan Building Code, 2015 Michigan Residential Code, and 2019 Detroit City Code.
Detroit blight fines range from $200-$10,000 per violation. Daily fines may accrue. Properties may be placed on the city's nuisance list affecting future permits and transfers.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Detroit, MI
Detroit's zoning and property maintenance codes do not restrict the number, size, or style of residential lawn ornaments, statuary, or religious displays. Re...
Detroit, MI
Detroit has no specific ordinance regulating residential inflatable holiday displays (giant snowmen, pumpkins, Santas). Restrictions, if any, come from priva...
Detroit, MI
Detroit has no citywide ordinance restricting the time of year, brightness, or duration of residential holiday lights. Restrictions arise mainly from Local H...
Detroit, MI
A built-in outdoor kitchen in Detroit requires separate trade permits from BSEED for any gas line, electrical, or plumbing work, plus a building permit if it...
Detroit, MI
Detroit has no ordinance specifically regulating residential offset smokers or pellet grills. The City's nuisance and air-quality provisions (Detroit Code Ch...
Detroit, MI
Detroit follows the International Fire Code (IFC) as adopted by Michigan. IFC Section 308.1.4 prohibits open-flame and charcoal cooking on combustible balcon...
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