City of Detroit code enforcement starts with BSEED Property Maintenance inspections and ends with the Department of Appeals and Hearings (DAH) ruling on blight tickets. If you got a Detroit code violation notice, the next step is usually to fix the problem within 21 days or file an appeal before the deadline passes.
City of Detroit code enforcement: the three offices that touch your property
Three city offices handle code enforcement, and each one matters at a different stage.
| Office | What it does | When you deal with it |
|---|---|---|
| BSEED Property Maintenance Division | Inspects properties, writes correction orders, issues blight tickets | After a complaint or routine inspection |
| Department of Appeals and Hearings (DAH) | Holds hearings on blight tickets, reduces or upholds fines, collects payment | After a ticket is issued |
| Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department (BSEED) | Handles rental certificates of compliance and registrations | Before renting a unit or renewing a registration |
BSEED Property Maintenance is the inspection arm. DAH is the court-like office that rules on tickets. BSEED also runs the rental certificate program. The names blur together, but the jobs stay separate.
How a complaint becomes a blight ticket
The process has five steps:
- Someone calls 313-224-2733 or files a complaint online. Neighbors report most violations.
- BSEED sends an inspector who verifies the problem and writes a correction order with a deadline, usually 7 to 21 days.
- If the deadline passes without a fix, BSEED issues a blight ticket with a fine.
- DAH schedules a hearing and mails a notice with the date, time, and address.
- You either appear, appeal in writing, or default. Default means the ticket becomes a judgment and the fine grows.
Complaints go through the Property Maintenance Division. A Detroit property maintenance inspection starts with a complaint or a proactive sweep. The inspector looks at the exterior and sometimes the interior. You get a notice either way.
What to do when you get a correction notice
If you get a Detroit code violation notice, what to do first is read the deadline. Most correction orders give 7 to 21 days. The deadline is on the notice.
Fix the problem. Then call BSEED Property Maintenance at 313-224-2733 and ask for a re-inspection. Do not email photos and assume that closes the file. The city re-inspects and closes the case only after someone confirms the fix.
If you need more time, call the office before the deadline. Ask for an extension. BSEED gives extensions for active repairs, but only if you ask.
If you disagree with the violation, file an appeal with DAH. You have 21 days from the date on the ticket. The appeal form is on the DAH blight ticket information page. If you miss the 21-day window, you can still request a late hearing, but the fine may already be a judgment.
What to do when you get a blight ticket
A blight ticket has two paths: fix it or fight it.
- Fix it. Repair the problem, call BSEED at 313-224-2733 for a re-inspection, and bring proof to your DAH hearing. The hearing officer can reduce or dismiss the fine if the violation is fixed.
- Fight it. If the ticket is wrong, file an appeal with DAH within 21 days. Explain why the violation does not exist or why you are not the responsible owner.
Do not ignore the ticket. A default judgment has extra fees and can attach to the property as a lien. DAH collects unpaid tickets and can refer them for collection.
Which codes you will see on a ticket
The most common blight ticket codes in Detroit, from a 500-ticket sample of the citywide feed for 2026-10-13, are:
| Code | Plain-English meaning |
|---|---|
| 8-15-35(a)(2) | Failure to get a certificate of compliance for a residential rental |
| 8-15-81(a) | Failure to register a rental property |
| 8-15-35(a)(1) | Failure to get a certificate of compliance for a commercial building |
| 50-14-286(3) | Parking on lawns or unpaved areas in R1 and R2 districts |
| 8-15-104 | Excessive weeds or plant growth on a one- or two-family dwelling or commercial building |
The full list of codes with plain-English explanations is in the Detroit violation code directory. If your ticket has a different code, look it up there.
Rental property owners: certificates of compliance
If you rent property in Detroit, you must register each rental and keep a current Certificate of Compliance. Two tickets dominate the citywide sample for rentals:
These tickets do not require a broken window or tall grass. The failure itself is the violation. In the most recent 30-day citywide data before 2026-10-13, 2,337 new blight tickets were issued. Rental certificate and registration failures were the two most-cited code groups. Across Detroit, 12,926 registered rentals have an expired Certificate of Compliance.
If you own a rental, check your certificate before an inspector does. The free Detroit property lookup shows any address's rental registration and certificate status.
Deadlines and fine amounts
| Action | Deadline | Fine or cost |
|---|---|---|
| Correct a violation after notice | 7-21 days from notice | $0 if re-inspected and closed |
| Appeal a blight ticket to DAH | 21 days from ticket date | $0 to file |
| Re-inspection request | After fix, before hearing | $0 |
| Default judgment | After missed hearing or missed deadline | Original fine plus late fees |
| Late hearing request | After 21-day window, before collection | Possible additional fees |
Among 500 tickets sampled from the citywide feed, the average fine was $243. The most expensive common ticket in the customer-scan sample was Code 8-15-82(g), averaging $651. That code covers specific health and safety violations that require repair and re-inspection.
Who to call for what
| Problem | Office | Phone | What to say |
|---|---|---|---|
| Re-inspection after fixing a violation | BSEED Property Maintenance | 313-224-2733 | "I fixed the violation on my correction notice and need a re-inspection." |
| Extension on a correction deadline | BSEED Property Maintenance | 313-224-2733 | "I need more time to fix the violation." |
| Appeal a blight ticket | Department of Appeals and Hearings | See blight ticket information page for form and address | "I want to appeal ticket number [X]." |
| Pay a blight ticket or check balance | Department of Appeals and Hearings | See blight ticket information page | "I need to pay a blight ticket." |
| Register a rental or get a certificate of compliance | BSEED | 313-224-2733 | "I need to register a rental property." |
Both offices are part of the City of Detroit. The main phone line for BSEED Property Maintenance is 313-224-2733. DAH contact information is on its blight ticket information page. The city's website sometimes shows a security check page before loading; that is normal.
How to see everything on your property right now
You can check your address against city records before you call anyone. The free lookup at detroitcompliance.com/lookup shows any Detroit property's active violations, unpaid tickets, rental status, and water balance. It takes less than a minute and needs no signup. If you have a ticket, the lookup will show the code and the fine amount, which helps you prepare for the call or the hearing.
What happens if I ignore a blight ticket in Detroit?
If you ignore a blight ticket, DAH enters a default judgment, the fine grows with late fees, and the debt can attach to the property as a lien. Unpaid blight debt can also block a sale. Across Detroit, 75,251 parcels carry unpaid blight-ticket debt.
Can I get a blight ticket dismissed after I fix the problem?
Yes. Fix the violation, call BSEED Property Maintenance at 313-224-2733 to schedule a re-inspection, and bring proof to your DAH hearing. The hearing officer can reduce or dismiss the fine if the re-inspection verifies the fix. Do this before the hearing date.
How do I know if my rental property needs a Certificate of Compliance?
Every rental in Detroit needs both a registration and a Certificate of Compliance. If the certificate is expired or missing, BSEED can ticket you under Code 8-15-35(a)(2) and Code 8-15-81(a) without any physical defect. Across Detroit, 12,926 registered rentals have an expired Certificate of Compliance.
Sources
- City of Detroit, Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department (BSEED), Property Maintenance Division
- City of Detroit, Department of Appeals and Hearings, Blight Ticket Information
To see everything the city has on file for your address right now, run the free property lookup at detroitcompliance.com/lookup.