Ottawa County, MI Public Health Rules: Rodent Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Ottawa County Environmental Health Regs, Art. XIV §§ H, J
- Containers required
- Rodent/fly-proof, durable, watertight
- Vermin defined
- Mice, rats, roaches, fleas, lice (§ B5)
- Dead animals
- Must remove within 24 hours (§ K)
- Severe infestation
- Health Officer may condemn premises (§ L)
- Penalty
- Up to $200 fine, 90 days jail
Summary
Ottawa County's Environmental Health Regulations make it unlawful to store refuse except in rodent- and fly-proof containers, or to let bulky rubbish create harborage for rodents. Article XIV, Section J separately bans maintaining any vermin-infested condition, and lets the Health Officer order abatement measures once notice is given.
H. Solid Waste Control - It shall be unlawful for any person to accumulate upon their premises any refuse except in containers of rodent/fly proof, durable, and watertight construction. Bulky rubbish such as tree limbs, weeds, wood, cardboard boxes, newspapers, magazines, yard clippings, and so forth, may be bundled or so stored as not to provide a harborage or breeding place for rodents or insects. ... J. Vermin Control - It shall be unlawful for any person to create or maintain a vermin infested condition on premises owned or occupied by that person. When the Health Officer has reasonable cause to believe that there is vermin infestation in a definable area, and upon proper notice, it shall be the responsibility of the owner or occupant of the premises to take whatever measures are deemed necessary to abate the condition.
Full Breakdown
" The same section separately prohibits any deposit or accumulation of solid waste that, by its character or improper storage, may invite breeding or infestation of flies, mosquitoes or rodents. Section J, Vermin Control, makes it unlawful to "create or maintain a vermin infested condition," and once the Health Officer has reasonable cause to believe a definable area is infested, the property owner or occupant must take whatever abatement measures the Health Officer finds acceptable to stop vermin from re-entering. Section B(5) defines vermin as noxious small animals or insects, including mice, rats, flies, cockroaches, fleas and lice.
Section K adds that a dead animal cannot sit on a property more than 24 hours; it must be removed and disposed of, or buried four feet deep at a Health Officer-approved location. If rodent or insect infestation makes a home dangerous or unsanitary, Section L authorizes the Health Officer to declare it unfit for habitation and order it vacated.
Violations & Fines
A container or storage violation, or a vermin-infested condition, is enforced under Article V like any other Regulations violation: a misdemeanor punishable by up to $200 and 90 days, or a civil citation of $100 that doubles for a repeat offense on the same violation. Severe or ignored infestations can trigger condemnation of the premises under Section L, forcing the property to be vacated until the Health Officer is satisfied.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as "vermin" under Ottawa County's rule?
How do I store trash to stay compliant?
Can the county condemn my house over a rodent problem?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Ottawa County
Compare Ottawa County to another location·View the Michigan public health rules overview
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