In November 24, 2004, the City of Detroit adopted amendments to Chapter 9 of the 1984 Detroit City Code, adding the Detroit Blight Ordinance that became effective December 1, 2004.
To make our community a clean, healthy and pleasant place to live, the City of Detroit adopted a new approach for residents and business owners who violate local property maintenance, safety, zoning and health-related ordinances. The City of Detroit will cite citizens and business owners for violations of property maintenance, zoning, solid waste, and illegal dumping ordinances. Penalties range from a minimum of $100 per day up to $10,000 per day, depending on the violation.
The Buildings & Safety Engineering Department (BSED) enforces sections of the Blight Ordinances governing property maintenance and zoning, maintaining the quality and usefulness of residential and commercial properties.
Previously, citations issued for these violations were criminal misdemeanors and adjudicated at the 36th District Court. They are now civil offenses, which will be heard and resolved more quickly with more appropriate penalties at the newly created Department of Administrative Hearings (DAH). DAH has its own hearing facility, independent of the 36th District Court, at 561 East Jefferson in downtown Detroit.
BSED will cite renters and property owners for:
· Failure to obtain certificates of compliance
· Failure to register rental property
· Rat infestation or problems with rodents
· Failure to remove snow and ice from sidewalks
· Violations of inoperable vehicle codes
· Failure to maintain exterior of property
· Failure to comply with emergency orders
Commercial property owners also will be cited for:
· Violation of Special Land Use Grants
· Change of land use without a permit
· Change of building without a permit
· Failure to obtain a certificate of maintenance of grant conditions
· Failure to maintain parking lots and exterior of property