Macomb — Ch. 13 Housing § 13-9
Frequency of inspections
Operative Text
(a) Inspections shall be made on the basis of complaints received by the city. Except in cases where the public health or safety may be threatened, whenever a complaint is received, the city will provide 48 hours' notice to the owner and any local property manager of an inspection to be made as a result of such complaint. In cases where the public health or safety allegedly is threatened, reasonable attempt shall be made to contact the owner or local property manager prior to the inspection. (b) All dwellings subject to this article shall be inspected at a minimum of once every three years. Notice of the date of the inspection shall be given to the owner and local property manager, if any, at least 15 days prior to the date of the inspection in writing. (c) Neither the common areas nor the dwelling or rooming units in structures newly constructed shall be further inspected after the completion and issuance of a certificate of occupancy for a period of three years from the date of said certificate, unless a complaint is received concerning such premises. Thereafter such premises shall be inspected in accordance with the requirements of this article. (d) Nothing in this section shall preclude the inspection of any premises subject to this article more frequently than every three years. (e) Fraternity and sorority houses shall be inspected twice each calendar year.
Macomb Ch. 13 Housing § 13-9 establishes how often and under what circumstances the city inspects residential dwellings. Complaint-driven inspections generally require 48 hours' advance notice to the owner and local property manager, though emergencies involving public health or safety allow for shorter notice with a reasonable contact attempt. Routine inspections must occur at least once every three years, with at least 15 days' written notice, while newly constructed buildings are exempt from routine inspections for three years after a certificate of occupancy is issued unless a complaint is filed. Fraternity and sorority houses face a stricter schedule of two inspections per calendar year.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Macomb Ch. 13 Housing § 13-9, compliant property owners and managers generally maintain current contact information with the city so that required notices — 48 hours for complaint-based inspections and 15 days in writing for routine inspections — can be delivered without delay. Operators of newly constructed buildings should be aware that the three-year post-certificate-of-occupancy exemption from routine inspections does not apply if a complaint is received. Those managing fraternity or sorority houses should plan for two scheduled inspections each calendar year and ensure the property is accessible and up to code on an ongoing basis.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Macomb Ch. 13 Housing § 13-9 gives tenants a meaningful avenue for addressing housing conditions: filing a complaint with the city can trigger an inspection even during the three-year window when routine inspections would not otherwise occur, including in newly constructed buildings. In situations where a public health or safety threat is alleged, the city is expected to make a reasonable attempt to contact the owner or property manager before inspecting, which means urgent concerns are not left waiting for a standard notice period. Tenants who believe their dwelling has unaddressed code issues may consider contacting the city's housing department to initiate a complaint-based inspection, or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization for guidance on the process under this section.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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