Commercial Properties FAQ

What should owners of commercial properties know?

The Buildings and Safety Engineering & Environmental Department (BSEED) will aggressively enforce blight violations.  Violators should remember that it is not enough to pay penalties.  Violators must correct problems.  If not, a second or third violation may be issued with a higher fine.

  • Operating a business without a permit (and/or license where required) is illegal.  Contact BSEED to find out what to do to establish your business legally.  Information regarding the installation of signs to advertise your business is available from the department also.
  • Changing the use of a building usually involves obtaining a permit.  Check with BSEED before changing the use of any building or structure.
  • Special Land Use Grants permit owners to operate certain businesses under special conditions.  These conditions must be met at all times.  Failure to adhere to these conditions will result in a violation and possible fine.  An annual inspection is conducted to ensure that those conditions are being met.
  • Commercial property is subject to an annual inspection.  Licenses are approved for renewal only when inspections by BSEED certify that the building is safe and fit for the intended use.  Owners of commercial properties must obtain a Certificate of Compliance from BSED certifying that the building is safe for occupancy.
  • Building exterior condition, including signs, parking lots and unpaved portions of the property, must be maintained in a clean and safe condition.
 Inspections of Commercial Properties

The Property Maintenance Division of the Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department is responsible for conducting Commercial Inspections in the City of Detroit.

Annual/biennial periodic inspections are performed as follows:

All Commercial buildings including Stores/Shops, Restaurants, Offices, Factories, warehouses, Junk/Scrap yards, Churches, Gas Stations, Auto Service shops, High-Rise buildings, School buildings, Masonry Stacks, Hospitals, Power Stations, Cellular telephone Towers, etc.

Note: For complete listing, please see Chapter 8, section 8-15-35 for a full listing.

  • Signs and Awnings License Inspections
  • Business License inspections
  • Area Survey Sweep inspections for suspected unapproved uses
  • Vacant Building maintenance inspections
 Annual Inspections

Commercial property is subject to an annual / biennially (2yrs) inspection. Licenses are approved for renewal only when inspections by BSEED certify that the building is safe and fit for the intended use. Owners of commercial properties must obtain a Certificate of Compliance from BSEED certifying that the building is safe for occupancy.

 Certificate of maintenance of Grant conditions

A Certificate of Maintenance of Grant Conditions is required biennially for all properties that have a Special Land Use Grant. A Special Land Use Grant allows a business to operate in a zoning area that is otherwise not allowed to operate in that zoning area as a matter of right.

The process requires a Special Land Use hearing, which involves the neighboring residents and businesses where the proposed business will be located. If permission is granted, a formal document called a Special Land Use Grant is drafted and issued to the owner of the proposed business, granting permission to proceed with opening the business under certain conditions. Each year the Building Safety Engineering & Environmental Department is charged with the task of assuring that those grant conditions are maintained in the manner in which they were approved. When the department finds that this is so, a Certificate of Maintenance of Grant Conditions is issued to the owner.

 Blight Ordinance Enforcement Information

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 (BSEED) 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 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 occurrence up to $10,000 per occurrence, depending on the violation.

 BSEED will cite renters and property owners for the following:
  • 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 the following:
  • 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

Special Land Use Grants:

Special Land Use Grants permit owners to operate certain businesses under special conditions. These conditions must be met at all times. Failure to adhere to these conditions will result in a violation and possible fine. An biennual inspection is conducted to ensure that those conditions are being met.

 What should property owners do after receiving a blight violation notice?

The Blight Violation Notice states the specific violation, the date, time, and place that the alleged violation occurred and payment options concerning the fine.

An appearance at a hearing is required to contest the alleged violation. The notice will state the date, time and place for your hearing. Questions about why you were cited must be directed to the department that issued the violation. If you believe that you or your property was cited by mistake, you are strongly encouraged to appear for the scheduled hearing. Ignoring a Notice may result in a decision and order of default being entered against you.

Contact the Buildings & Safety Engineering Department (BSEED) at (313) 224-2733 and ask to speak to the Property Maintenance Division supervisor.

 How do I dispute a blight violation (ticket)?

The Blight Violation Notice (Ticket) states the specific violation, the date, time, and place that the alleged violation occurred and payment options concerning the fine.

An appearance at a hearing is required to contest the alleged violation. Blight Violation Notices also state the date, time and place of the scheduled hearing. Questions must be directed to the department that issued the violation. If it is believed that the citation was issued by mistake, it is strongly recommended to have all concerns addressed during the scheduled hearing. The consequences of ignoring a Blight Violation Notice may result in an uncontested decision and order of default being issued against the alleged violator.

Contact the 

and ask to speak to the Property Maintenance Division supervisor.

 What happens if a Hearing Officer's order is not observed?

A hearing officer's order can be enforced in the same manner as a judge's order. It can be used to place a lien on your property, garnish your wages, and/or negatively affect your credit.