Information on this page comes from the city of Detroit's Vacant Property Registration page.

In 2010, the City of Detroit's Property Maintenance Code was amended with a new ordinance called the Vacant Property Registration Ordinance. The information on this page comes from the city's Vacant Property Registration Ordinance fact sheet.

Within thirty (30) days of a building or structure becoming vacant, the Owner of the Vacant Building must register the property with the Buildings, Safety Engineering & Environmental Department. The Owner will receive a Certificate of Registration of Vacant Property and must obtain a Exterior Compliance from the Department.

To receive an Exterior Certificate of Compliance, at a minimum, the Owner must ensure:

• Grass and weeds are not permitted to grow past eight inches;
• All dead or broken tree limbs or shrubbery are cut and removed;
• The interior walkway leading to the main entry and adjoining public sidewalk is kept free from snow;
• Debris, garbage, and rubbish including mail and flyers do not accumulate;
• The foundation, basement or crawlspace is maintained in a sound and watertight condition adequate to support the building and prevent entry;
• Exterior walls are maintained free of holes preventing any interior exposure to the elements;
• Peeling paint is removed from all exterior surfaces;
• Exterior windows and doors are maintained in good repair, or openings secured with commercial quality steel security panels or filled with like kind material as the surrounding wall to prevent trespass;
• Openings less than one foot in area and higher than eight feet off the ground may be boarded with plywood;
• All exit areas have continuous exterior lighting from dusk to dawn, which may be met by battery or solar powered lighting;
• A weather protected notice is posted on the side of the structure indicating the name and telephone number of a local contact person regarding the property.