Dearborn, MI Rental Property Rules: Rental Registration (2026)

Under Chapter 11, Division 2 of the Dearborn Code of Ordinances (the "Non-Owner-Occupied Residential Properties Ordinance," effective July 15, 2025), a residential building counts as non-owner-occupied if the owner does not live there more than 30 consecutive days a year, or receives less than 100% of the homestead credit on the City Assessor's homestead property list. Sec. 11-331 makes it unlawful to occupy, or to permit occupancy of, any such property until the Department of Economic Development has approved occupancy and issued a certificate of occupancy showing all inspection-report violations corrected.

A conditional occupancy can be granted before every item is fixed if the gaps are not, in the department's judgment, a material health or safety hazard, with full compliance required within 90 days. Non-owner-occupied property must be re-inspected and a new certificate obtained every three years or on any change of ownership; buildings with three or more units are inspected annually. Sec. 11-332 requires the owner or agent to register any change in the dwelling's status or owner with the department within seven days of that change, and the department keeps a data record of owner name/address, inspection history and certificate status that is available on request.

Sec. 11-333 authorizes the director (or designated building officials) to inspect on sale/transfer, on an occupancy change if no inspection occurred in the prior three years, on documented exterior violations or resident/association complaints, and at least every three years; owners, agents and tenants must consent and give access on seven days' notice, and the owner or their representative must be present.