Lansing, MI Rental Property Rules: Rental Registration (2026)
Key Facts
- Who must register
- All rentals except owner-occ. single-family
- Registration deadline
- 30 days after offering for rent
- Absentee landlord threshold
- Over 40 miles from city limits
- Local agent required
- Yes, if absentee landlord
Summary
Every Lansing rental except owner-occupied single-family homes must register with the Office of Code Compliance, and absentee landlords living over 40 miles away must name a local agent.
(a)General. All rental properties in the City of Lansing, except owner-occupied single-family dwellings, are subject to Sections 1460.44 through 1460.52 of this Code. Owners and agents of rentals subject to this Code shall register their names, telephone numbers and place of residence or usual places of business, and the location of the premises regulated by this Code, with the Office of Code Compliance, all absentee landlords shall have a registered agent in Lansing.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 64).
Full Breakdown
Section 1460.44(a) requires owners and agents of nearly every Lansing rental, everything except owner-occupied single-family dwellings, to register their names, phone numbers, and residence or business address, plus the rental's location, with the Office of Code Compliance. Owners living more than 40 miles from the city limits are absentee landlords and must appoint a registered agent inside Lansing. Section 1460.44(c) gives owners 30 days from first offering the unit to register, and 30 days to update the registry after any change of ownership or agent.
Violations & Fines
Failing to register within 30 days leaves the property presumed a rental under Section 1460.44(e) and blocks issuance of a Certificate of Compliance, so the unit cannot lawfully be occupied.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to register a rental in Lansing?
What if I live far from Lansing?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lansing
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