Sterling Heights, MI Rental Inspections: Inspection Programs (2026)

As a result of the high incidence of foreclosures during recent years, the number of non-homestead residential properties in the city has risen dramatically. Statistically, such properties account for more than half of the single-family residential properties that are reviewed by the Board of Ordinance Appeals each year for exterior property maintenance violations. In the interest of protecting residential property values for residents whose homestead remains within the city, the non-homestead residential property inspection program set forth in this section is hereby created.

(B)   Non-homestead single-family residential properties within the city shall be subject to a non-complaint based exterior property maintenance inspection once during every two calendar years. Upon completion of the inspection, the property owner shall be assessed a fee established by the city's annual appropriations ordinance for the biennial inspection. Violations discovered during the inspection or the registration period shall be addressed in the same manner as all other property maintenance and nuisance violations, and the same inspection and Board of Ordinance Appeals fees shall apply.

(C)   As used in this subsection, the term "non-homestead single-family residential property" and "non-homestead residence" shall mean any parcel of property that is zoned for, or used for, single-family residential purposes, but which is not recorded as the owner's primary residence for homestead