Kalamazoo, MI Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)

City Code § 21-3.A applies to 'any person owning, occupying or in control of any personal property, lot or land, either public or private' in the City of Kalamazoo, so a vacant, unimproved parcel is covered the same as a built lot. Declared nuisances include 'trash, garbage, rubbish, debris, waste or similar offensive or unsightly material' (§ 21-3.A(2)) and 'junk automobiles' (§ 21-3.A(10), added by Ord. No. 2077 in 2023). Under § 21-3.B, the City Manager or a designated representative notifies the owner by mail or in person, and the owner has 10 days to remove or correct the condition; if the address is unknown, notice may be posted on the property.

An aggrieved owner may appeal in writing within 10 days under § 21-3.C. If the owner does not abate, § 21-4 lets the City arrange removal itself, including mowing, raking and removing trash, junk and debris, and bill the owner directly. An unpaid bill accrues interest at 6% per year after 30 days and can be assessed against the property as a lien collected with property taxes. Section 21-3.E waives the notice and hearing steps entirely when the condition is an immediate danger to public health or safety or sits on public land, letting the City act at once on the worst vacant-lot conditions.