Property Maintenance Division
Demolition Division Construction Division
Administration Division
Property Maintenance Division 1. I received a Blight Ticket. What can I do to resolve it?A. An appearance at a hearing is required, where you can contest the alleged violation. The Notice will state the date, time and place for the hearing. To contest the citation, you should appear for the scheduled hearing. Ignoring a Notice may result in a decision and order of default being entered against you.
2. My tenant is at fault. The ticket should have been issued to the tenant. Why did I get the ticket?A. Owners are responsible for the cleanliness of their income property, as well as renters. If a Blight Violation Notice is issued, the Department of Administrative Hearings may order one party to pay the entire fine or may split the fine between the owner and the tenant.
3. Does the City inspect all rental properties? A. Yes. All rental properties, including apartments, lofts, hotels, motels, rooming houses, co-operative apartments, condos, tourist homes and single rooms for rent, within the city of Detroit, are to be inspected annually or as close to annual as possible. Upon compliance with inspection, a Certificate of Compliance of Inspection can be obtained.
4. Does commercial property have to be inspected by the City?A. Yes. All commercial properties must be inspected annually or as close to annual as possible. Upon compliance with inspection, a Certificate of Compliance of Inspection can be obtained.
5. How do I file a complaint regarding the condition of a property?A. Complaints regarding privately-owned structures or land should be made to the Buildings & Safety Engineering Department at (313) 224-2733.
6. I’m going to sell my house. Does it have to be inspected?A. Pre-sale inspections of one- and two-family dwellings are required by law and are provided upon request.
7. How long does it take to get a housing inspection once I have requested it?A. Normally, housing inspections are conducted within 3 to 5 business days of the request. However, currently inspections are being provided within 24 hours of request.
8. The elevator in my building does not work. Who do I contact? A. Contact the Mechanical Section of BSED at (313) 224-2733 when elevators are out of service.
Demolition Division 9. How do I get a structure demolished, placed on the demolition list or find out the status of a property on the demolition list?A. Contact Buildings & Safety Engineering Department at (313) 224-2733.
Write the Demolition Office and a response will be received in approximately 10 working days or less.
Buildings & Safety Engineering Department
Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
Demolition Division
2 Woodward Ave. Room 412
Detroit, MI 48226
10. I wish to purchase a vacant house that has been ordered demolished. How do I stop demolition?A. Only the owner of the property can stop the demolition process. Persons interested in purchasing property scheduled for demolition must negotiate sale of the property with the owner. Even after demolition is complete, the ownership of the property remains with the owner. If the owner fails to pay the demolition costs and the taxes, the property will be foreclosed. It may be made available for sale by Wayne County at a later date. If the property is City-owned, contact the Planning & Development Department for purchase at (313) 224-6389.
11. How do I contact the owner?A. To find the owner, check Wayne County records at:
Wayne County Register of Deeds
400 Monroe Avenue - 6th Floor
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 224-5850
12. The demolition contractor damaged my property. Who do I contact?A. Contact City of Detroit Law Department and ask for a damage/claim form. Mail form to 1650 First National Building, Detroit, MI 48226.
13. If the sidewalk at the demolition site was damaged or I have another complaint regarding the demolition process, who do I contact?A. Contact the BSED Demolition Division. Sidewalks are replaced between April 15 and November 15 each year. If the sidewalk is not repaired by November 15, contact:
Buildings & Safety Engineering Department
Demolition Division
Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
2 Woodward Ave. - Room 412
Detroit, MI 48226
Construction Division (313) 224-2733
14. When do I need a permit? A. Generally, a permit is needed when work involves the changing of fixtures and components governed by the construction trade industry, such as plumbing, electrical, mechanical (heating and ventilation), and carpentry (when the work involves the changing of a structural component of a structure).
15. How much does a permit cost?A. The fee is based on the estimated cost of the job.
16. Can I apply for a homeowner’s permit?A. In some cases, a homeowner can apply for a permit if the structure is owner occupied and is a single-family dwelling. In many other cases, the owner may not be able to secure a permit for the work. Contact BSED at (313) 224-2733.
17. I paid money to a contractor (or unlicensed contractor) who did not finish the job per the contract. What should I do?A. Contact BSED to file a complaint. Also, contact the State of Michigan at (313) 256-2846 to file a complaint against the contractor.
18. When can I get my insurance escrow money back?A. Insurance escrow money will be returned after the damage or destroyed portions of the insured structure have been repaired or replaced and verified by an inspection.
The insured party must hire a licensed contractor to secure a permit for repairs to a fire-damaged dwelling. After repairs are completed, the inspector notifies the BSED Licenses & Permits Division, which will begin the process to release the funds. It takes approximately two weeks for the insured to receive a check from the Finance Department after the inspection is completed.
Administration Division (313) 224-3251
19. How do I get a house for a dollar?A. The Nuisance Abatement Program is no longer funded. Applications for the Repair to Own Program can be made through the Planning & Development Department at (313) 224-6389.
20. Can you recommend a company to do work for me?A. No, we cannot recommend a company to do work. However, we can provide information on whether the contractor or person is licensed with the State of Michigan and registered to do work within the city of Detroit. Direct access to State licensing of contractors may be obtained by calling (517) 241-9330.
21. I need a Certificate of Occupancy for an existing building. Where do I get the certificate?A. A Certificate of Occupancy is only provided after the completion of construction on newly erected structures in compliance with current Michigan State Building Code. Construction of structures built previously may not comply with the current codes. Codes cannot be enforced retroactively. As a result, BSED provides at cost Zoning Verification Letters, which indicate the last legally permitted use of a property when the use needs to be identified.
22. Can I operate my business at this location? How do I arrange for a hearing?A. Depending upon the zoning of a property, it may or may not be legal to establish a specific type of business at the location. BSED Zoning Counter assists customers with these types of questions. If it is determined that a particular business may not be established in a zoning district, a special variance may be applied for either with BSED or the Board of Zoning Appeals. Contact BSED at (313) 224-2733.
23. I have a complaint against an inspector. Who do I contact?A. Contact the BSED Administration at (313) 224-3251.
24. How do I request a refund for overpayment or cancellation of a permit? A. Contact the BSED Licenses & Permit Section at (313) 224-2733