Detroit requires fences to be installed with the finished side facing the neighbor under Zoning Ordinance customary practice. Fences must be maintained in structurally sound condition.
Detroit does not have a statutory good neighbor fence law like some western states, but customary practice requires the finished or smooth side of a fence to face outward toward neighbors and the street. Fence posts and structural framing must be on the owner side. All fences must be maintained structurally sound; dilapidated fences are cited as blight. On shared lot lines, Michigan follows the common law rule that costs are divided equally only by agreement; otherwise each owner builds on their own land.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact Detroit code enforcement directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
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Detroit, MI
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