Michigan has no residential Good Neighbor Fence Act. MCL §43.51 covers agricultural partition fences (township fence viewers). Boundary disputes resolved through common law.
Michigan does not have a residential cost-sharing fence statute. Each property owner is responsible for their own fence. MCL §43.51 to 43.62 (partition fence law) applies primarily to agricultural/rural land and involves township fence viewers for dispute resolution. For residential properties, boundary fence disputes are resolved through common law and civil court. Spite fences (built maliciously to annoy neighbors) may be actionable as a nuisance. Property surveys recommended before building near boundary lines.
Civil remedy: lawsuits for encroachment or nuisance. Small claims court for disputes under $6,500. Spite fence: injunction + damages.
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...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Wayne County.
See how other cities in Wayne County handle neighbor fence rules.
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