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Commercial Inspections

  

Inspections are made to ascertain compliance with the Property Maintenance Code, the Zoning Ordinance, the Michigan Building Codes, and any requirements of a Special Land Use Grant.

How to schedule Commercial Inspections

Step 1.  Call (313) 628-2451 to schedule a Commercial Annual Inspection between 8AM and 4PM Monday thru Friday


Step 2. An Annual Certificate of Compliance is issued ONLY upon full compliance with the Property Maintenance Code. All BSEED fees MUST be paid.


Step 3. Required owner must schedule a Commercial Annual Inspection biennially (every 2 years) for all commercial buildings and structures in the City of Detroit, whether active or vacant.  

  • Certificates of Maintenance of Grant Conditions are required biennially for properties with Special Land Use Grants. 

 

Other inspections may be required depending upon the type of business being conducted on the property, such as:

  • Business License
  • Special Land Use
  • Signs License
  • Wall & Stack Inspections
  • Plumbing Cross-connection
  • Refrigeration
  • Elevators
  • Boilers & Pressure Vessels
  • Electrical
  • Fire Alarm Systems
  • Hazardous Materials
  • Seawall Inspections

Nature of Inspections

  • Structural
    • Structural Components
      • Fire Alarm Systems and Sprinkler Systems 
      • Fire Rating on Structural Members 
    • Exterior/interior surfaces
    • Means of egress
    • Stairways/ladder ways
    • Hoist ways/shifts
    • Foundations
    • Fire/safety equipment
      • Fire Extinguishers, CO2 etc.
    • Windows/Doors
    • Roof/Roof structures
    • Building/Land Use
    • Legal use and occupancy
    • Grant conditions
    • Off-street Parking
    • Landscaping
    • Signage
    • Safety requirements
    • Screening/Fencing
    • Security of vacant buildings
    • Eradication of nuisance and blight conditions
    • Plumbing Systems*
    • Electrical Systems*
    • Heating, ventilation systems*

*Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical deficiencies discovered are referred to the proper agencies as needed. Separate annual electrical, plumbing, and mechanical inspections may be required for annual licensing of certain businesses.

Ordinance Enforcement

All inspections & processes are conducted in accordance with the provisions of the City of Detroit Property Maintenance Code, Chapter 8 of the Detroit City Code, as well as the City of Detroit Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 50 of the Detroit City Code.

These matters are enforced as Blight Violations in accordance with Chapter 1, Section 1-1-9 of the Detroit City Code as amended. The BSEED Department is continuously vigilant for violations of codes and ordinances related to the maintenance of all properties within the City of Detroit. The City of Detroit Department of Administrative Hearings adjudicates tickets for Blight Violations. An Administrative Hearing Officer levies finds upon findings of 'Responsible' and civil remedies are applied to affect collection of judgments, including liens, garnishments, seizures, and other such actions as permitted by law.