Blight OrdinancePre-Sale Ordinance BLIGHT ORDINANCEOn 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 keep our community a clean, healthy and pleasant place to live, the City of Detroit is taking a new approach to 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 as much as $10,000 per day, depending on the violation.
The Buildings & Safety Engineering Department 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, adjudicated at the 36th District Court. They are now civil offenses, which, with the creation of the Department of Administrative Hearings, will now be heard and resolved more quickly with penalties more appropriate. That department has its own hearing facility, independent of the 36th District Court, at 561 East Jefferson in downtown Detroit.
Buildings & Safety Engineering will cite renters and property owners for violations of:
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
Inoperable vehicles
Failure to maintain exterior of property
Failure to comply with emergency orders
Also, owners of commercial property will be cited for violations 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
PRE-SALE ORDINANCEThe Pre-Sale Ordinance, which was temporarily suspended in August 2004, has been re-adopted and became effective December 1, 2004.
To be sure that residences in the City of Detroit are safe and habitable, The City inspects one-and two-family dwellings before they are sold to new owners. The inspection follows a set of guidelines that you can get at Neighborhood City Halls or at the department offices located on the 4th floor of the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, 313-224-2733.
To obtain the required Pre-Sale Inspection, you must file an application and pay an inspection fee at:
Housing Division BSED,
Far Northwest Neighborhood City Hall, 19180 Grand River, 313-935-5322
North Central Neighborhood City Hall, 2328 E. Seven Mile, 313-852-5700.
Completed applications can be mailed to the department or delivered in person. The fee covers an initial inspection and one re-inspection, if needed, to comply violations identified during the initial inspection. If additional inspections are required, there is an additional fee assessed.
At the time of the initial inspection, all utilities and equipment must be turned on and in operating condition. If no one is available to allow the inspector in or if work is incomplete, the process will be delayed and there will be an additional fee charged.
A Certificate of Approval is issued after the property is certified to be in habitable condition. Certificates of Approval and inspection reports are valid for six months if the dwelling is occupied when the certificate is issued. Validity of the certificate is extended to 24 months during continuous occupancy. Only conditions that constitute and imminent danger must be repaired if the sale does not occur.
Inspection Procedures
Although procedures vary depending on circumstances, the typical pre-sale process involves:
Submitting an application and paying the fee.
Scheduling the inspection
An inspector approving property or noting deficiencies
If approved, Certificate of Approval is mailed within five business days (or being held for pick-up)
If deficiencies exist, owner correcting them and scheduling re-inspection to obtain Certificate of Approval
Violations uncorrected are cause for re-inspection and an additional fee