Ann Arbor, MI Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- All property, including vacant lots
- First offense fine
- At least $100
- Repeat offense fine
- $500 to $1,000
- City removal
- After 10 days' notice, § 9:10
Summary
Ann Arbor's trash-accumulation ban covers every parcel in the city, built or vacant: owners of unimproved lots must keep the exterior clear of accumulated trash and debris or face an escalating civil fine up to $1,000 per offense.
Except in the case of premises licensed pursuant to Chapter 94 (Junk Yards) of this Code, no person owning or occupying property in the City of Ann Arbor shall fail to keep the exterior area of that property free from accumulations of trash. Violation of this section constitutes a civil infraction punishable by a fine of not less than $100.00 for the first offense, not less than $250.00 and up to $500.00 for the second offense, and not less than $500.00 and up to $1,000.00 for each additional or subsequent offense within a 2-year time period, plus costs and all other remedies available by statute. The maximum fine for any offense shall not exceed $1,000.00. Each day upon which such violation shall occur shall constitute a separate offense.
(Ord. No. 40-82, 8-2-82; Ord. No. 25-04, § 10, 8-2-04)
9:10. - Removal of trash by city.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 26 Update 4).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 106 defines "exterior" as any area of property outside a fully enclosed building, so the rule reaches raw, unimproved lots exactly like built ones: the code carves out no exemption for vacant land, only for premises licensed as junkyards under Chapter 94. There's no separate weed-height or grass-length ordinance in Ann Arbor's code; the operative citywide rule for vacant-lot upkeep is this trash-accumulation prohibition, backed by escalating fines and, after 10 days' notice under § 9:10, city removal of the trash at the owner's expense.
Violations & Fines
Civil infraction: not less than $100 first offense, $250-$500 second offense, $500-$1,000 each additional offense within 2 years; each day is a separate offense, capped at $1,000.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Ann Arbor regulate weeds on vacant lots?
What happens if a vacant lot isn't cleared after notice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Ann Arbor
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