Alert: The "Bulk Waste" Crackdown in Zip Code 48206
Zone: Dexter, Linwood, Wildemere Park
Risk Level: Critical
Primary Violation: Solid Waste / Illegal Dumping (42-2-97)
If you own property in 48206, your primary enemy is not the grass—it is the Alley.
Historical data shows that the corridor between Dexter and Linwood is a frequent target for DPW Solid Waste Sweeps. The density of rental units and vacant lots creates a perfect storm for illegal dumping.
The "Strict Liability" of Alleys
Detroit Ordinance mandates that property owners are responsible for maintaining the property to the center of the alley.
This creates a nightmare scenario for investors in 48206:
- A "Midnight Dumper" drives down the alley and dumps a mattress or tires behind your rental.
- DPW patrols the alley the next morning.
- They issue a $1,500 ticket (Code 42-2-97) to you, the property owner.
You did not put it there. Your tenant did not put it there. But you are responsible for it.
The Financial Math
- Cost to remove debris: $300 (Junk removal crew)
- Cost of the ticket: $1,500 + Admin Fees
- Total Loss: $1,800+
How to Protect Yourself in 48206
- Secure the Perimeter: If possible, fence off the backyard to the alley line to prevent dumping on your land (though you must still clean the alley).
- Weekly Patrols: You or your property manager must inspect the alley weekly.
- Surveillance: The only way to beat a Solid Waste ticket is proof. If you have a camera pointing at the alley, you can catch the dumper and submit that evidence to the DAH to fight the ticket.
Detroit Compliance alerts you the moment a Solid Waste ticket hits the docket, giving you time to clean it up and take photos before your hearing.