Detroit, MI Public Health Rules: Bed-Bug Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Pre-lease inspection
- required before signing lease
- Inspection order deadline
- 7 days after infestation report
- Treatment start deadline
- 7 days after confirmed infestation
- Occupant report window
- 2 days to notify landlord
- Max penalty
- $500 fine or 90 days jail
Summary
Detroit landlords must have rental units professionally inspected for bed bugs before leasing, prove the unit is bug-free, and hire a licensed pest management professional to treat any confirmed infestation within strict deadlines.
A landlord shall not enter into a rental agreement with the occupant if the landlord knows, or has reason to know, that the rental property is infested with bed bugs. A landlord shall be responsible for all of the following: (1) Having a licensed pest management professional...inspect a rental property for bed bugs prior to leasing, or renting the property to others. (2) Providing proof to the occupant, prior to or upon signing the rental agreement...that the property was inspected by a licensed pest management professional and is bed bug free.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 4).
Full Breakdown
Detroit City Code Chapter 22, Article VII bars a landlord from renting a unit the landlord knows or has reason to know is infested. Before signing a lease, the landlord must have a licensed pest management professional inspect the unit and give the tenant proof it is bed bug free. Once notified of a suspected infestation, the landlord has seven days to order an inspection, and if confirmed, seven more days to start treatment with a licensed professional. Occupants must report suspected infestations within two days and grant access for treatment. Violators face a misdemeanor fine up to $500 or 90 days in jail, with each day a separate offense.
Violations & Fines
Violating any bed bug duty under Article VII is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $500, up to 90 days in jail, or both, with each day of continued violation a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Detroit landlord have to prove an apartment is bed bug free before I move in?
Who pays for bed bug treatment in a Detroit rental?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Detroit
Compare Detroit to another location·View the Michigan public health rules overview
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Bed-Bug Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Wayne County handle bed-bug rules.