Dearborn requires site grading to drain away from buildings and to not discharge onto neighboring properties. Major grading triggers Michigan Part 91 SESC permits and stormwater review.
Grading and drainage on Dearborn construction sites must follow the Michigan Building Code (drainage away from foundations, minimum 6 inches fall in the first 10 feet) and the Zoning Ordinance, which prohibits altering drainage patterns in a way that increases runoff onto adjacent properties. New home construction and additions are reviewed for grading when building permits are issued. Larger earth changes trigger Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control (SESC) review under Part 91. Along the Rouge River and in Dearborn flood-prone neighborhoods, grading and fill are tightly controlled to prevent displacement of floodwater. Sump pump discharge must be routed to the yard (minimum 5 feet from property line) or to an approved storm drain, not into the sanitary sewer. Homeowners should avoid creating swales that direct water toward neighbors. Drainage disputes between neighbors are civil matters under Michigan common law, with support from city inspectors when a clear violation exists.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Dearborn, MI
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Wayne County.
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