Wayne County, MI Rental Property Rules: Rental Registration (2026)

Rental registration is widespread across Wayne County cities. Detroit's Rental Property Registration and Inspection Ordinance requires every landlord to register rental units with BSEED, obtain a Certificate of Compliance, pass a property inspection, and obtain lead-safe clearance for any pre-1978 property, which covers most Detroit housing stock. Registration fees and inspection fees apply, and Certificates must be renewed on a periodic cycle, typically every 1 to 3 years. Unregistered units cannot legally collect rent, and Detroit's 36th District Court enforces this against landlords pursuing eviction. Dearborn, Livonia, Westland, Taylor, and most suburban Wayne County cities have similar registration and inspection programs though generally less stringent on lead clearance. Failure to register results in fines, eviction case dismissal, and in some jurisdictions an inability to enforce the lease. Owner-occupied and short-term rentals may have different rules. Wayne County itself does not operate a countywide rental registry; each municipality administers its own program.