Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup
Key FactsOrdinance TextFull BreakdownViolationsFAQSourcesMore in Lansing

Lansing, MI Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Trigger
Housing Law of Michigan dangerous-building def.
Enforced by
Code Official
Vacancy threshold
24 months, no rehab attempt
Remedy
Court-ordered removal/rehabilitation

Summary

Lansing, Michigan (Ingham County) treats any structure meeting Michigan's dangerous-building definition as unsafe under its Property Maintenance Code and lets the Code Official sue to remove or force rehabilitation of vacant, deteriorated buildings.

Any structure that is a "dangerous building" as defined in the Housing Law of Michigan, PA 167 of 1917, is also an unsafe structure. ...Pursuant to MCL 125.534(6), regardless of whether or not the cost of repair of a structure exceeds its state equalized value, the Code Official may bring a court action to remove or rehabilitate it if (1) it is an unsafe structure pursuant to Section 108.1.1, (2) it remains vacant or boarded, and (3) a significant attempt has not been made to rehabilitate it for a period of 24 consecutive months.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 64).

Full Breakdown

Section 1460.01(l) folds the Housing Law of Michigan's dangerous-building definition into the local unsafe-structure standard. Subsection (p) replaces IPMC Section 110 with MCL 125.538-125.542, and lets the Code Official bring a court action to remove or rehabilitate a structure once it's unsafe, vacant or boarded, and has gone 24 consecutive months without a significant rehabilitation attempt: regardless of whether repair costs exceed the structure's state equalized value.

Violations & Fines

A structure found dangerous can be placarded and ordered vacated, with a nonrefundable monthly administrative fee after 90 days on placard (§ 1460.01(n)); unresolved cases can end in a court-ordered removal or forced rehabilitation under § 1460.01(p).

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a Lansing building 'dangerous'?
Any structure meeting the Housing Law of Michigan's dangerous-building definition is treated as unsafe under § 1460.01(l), regardless of repair cost versus value.
How long can a vacant unsafe building sit before the city acts?
If it's been vacant or boarded 24 straight months with no real rehab effort, § 1460.01(p) lets the Code Official go to court to force removal or repair.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Lansing

Snow & Sidewalk ClearingSome RestrictionsVacant Lot MaintenanceSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Exotic PetsHeavy RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Pet LimitsSome RestrictionsFire Regulations: FireworksSignificant RestrictionsOutdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & ShieldingSome Restrictions

All Lansing rules

Compare Lansing to another location·View the Michigan property maintenance overview

Get notified when Property Blight in Lansing, MI changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.