Owners of vacant lots in Dearborn must maintain grass under 8 inches, remove debris, and secure any structures to prevent nuisance and trespass.
Under the Dearborn blight and property maintenance sections, vacant lots are held to the same maintenance standards as occupied parcels. Lot owners must regularly mow grass and weeds to keep them under 8 inches, remove illegal dumping, debris, and junk, and maintain any fencing or retaining walls in good repair. If a lot contains a vacant building, it must be secured against unauthorized entry with properly installed doors and boarded windows meeting city specs. The city may inspect complaint-driven violations, issue 7 to 14 day abatement notices, and if owners fail to comply, contract mowing and cleanup with the full cost plus administrative fees assessed as a tax lien against the property.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Dearborn, MI
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Wayne County.
See how other cities in Wayne County handle vacant lot maintenance.
See how Dearborn's vacant lot maintenance rules stack up against other locations.
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