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.
The Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department [[BSE&ED) enforces sections of the Blight Ordinances governing property maintenance and zoning, maintaining the quality and usefulness of residential and commercial properties.
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 BSE&ED Property Maintenance Division will cite citizens and business owners for violations of property maintenance and zoning ordinances.
BSE&ED 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 register, secure and maintain vacant property
- Violations of inoperable vehicle codes
- Failure to maintain interior and exterior of rental property
- Failure to comply with emergency orders
In addition to the above, Commercial property owners also will be cited for:
- Change of building use without a permit
- Change of land use without a permit
- Failure to obtain a certificate of maintenance of grant conditions
- Violation of Special Land Use Grants
- Failure to maintain parking lots and exterior of property
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.