Farmington Hills, MI Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)

Farmington Hills addresses property blight through multiple overlapping ordinances enforced by the Planning Department's Zoning and Code Enforcement Division (248-871-2540). (1) Chapter 17 (Nuisances) — Sections 17-51 through 17-77 are the City's blight provisions, identified by the Planning Department as one of the most-frequently-cited ordinance groups. (2) Chapter 7 Article VIII — Single-Family Rental Dwelling Registration, Safety and Maintenance Inspection Program, adopted by Ordinance C-7-2014, requires every single-family rental dwelling within the City to be registered and inspected once every three years. Inspections focus on exterior conditions, fire safety and egress, structural, electrical, health, insect and rodent infestation, sanitation, and accumulation of trash. The Rental Maintenance & Inspection Notice cites Chapter 7 Sec. 7-350 for: excessive accumulation of rubbish or garbage; excessive accumulation of stagnant water; disrepair of sidewalks, walkways, and driveways; weeds and grass in excess of 8 inches; presence of nuisance insect and/or rodent infestation; and inoperative or unlicensed motor vehicles. The City has adopted the 2015 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) by reference through Chapter 7 Article VIII. (3) Chapter 17 Article II, Sec. 17-26 through 17-31 — Noxious vegetation: forbids uncontrolled growth of noxious weeds and grass, authorizes the City to cut the growth and charge the cost back to the owner, with a civil fine of up to $500 for owners who refuse to comply. (4) Chapter 26 Article IV — Sidewalks: Sec. 26-82 (Maintenance) provides that 'No person shall permit any sidewalk which adjoins property owned by such person to fall into a state of disrepair or to be unsafe,' placing sidewalk-repair responsibility on the adjoining property owner. (5) Michigan Public Act 132 of 2003 (junked-vehicle definitions in MCL 257.252a et seq.) supports the inoperative-vehicle provisions of Sec. 7-350. The Zoning and Code Enforcement Division issues correction notices and may abate noxious-vegetation conditions and bill the owner. Reports of blight go through the City's online inquiry form or by phone to 248-871-2540.