Ann Arbor — Ch. 105 Housing Code § 8:505
Electrical systems
Operative Text
Every dwelling shall have an electrical system properly installed and maintained in a safe and good working condition. (1) Habitable rooms: Habitable rooms shall contain at least: (a) Two separate electrical receptacles, spaced for convenient use, and 1 ceiling or sidewall lighting fixture or 1 additional switched outlet. (b) Wall switches conveniently located for all ceiling fixtures. Where no ceiling fixture is installed, at least 1 convenience outlet or sidewall fixture shall be controlled by a wall switch. (c) Additional convenience outlets shall be provided to adequately service the electrical fixtures and appliances provided by the owner or his/her agent, without using unapproved wiring methods. Convenience outlets shall be provided for washers and dryers, when space for these appliances is provided, unless the use of washers and dryers in the unit is specifically excluded in the lease. (2) Bathrooms, washrooms, and toilet rooms: Bathroom, washroom, and toilet rooms shall contain at least: (a) One convenience outlet (except in rooms containing only a toilet). (b) One ceiling or sidewall lighting fixture. (c) A wall switch conveniently located to control the lighting fixture. (3) Hallways and stairways: Hallways and stairways shall be provided with illumination. Switches, if used, shall be located so that it is not necessary to traverse darkened sections for their operation. (4) Additional rooms: Laundry rooms, furnace rooms, storage rooms, bathrooms, stairways and basements shall be provided with sufficient lighting for the intended uses of the room and to promote the safety of the user. (5) Electrical cords: Cords for appliances and other devices shall not be run through doorways, under rugs, through holes in partitions or floors, nor shall they be fastened to baseboards or door casings. An extension cord of up to 6 feet in length and in good repair shall otherwise be approved if properly sized for the appliances or devices which it serves. (6) Circuit breakers and fuse boxes: Approved circuit breakers or properly sized "S" type fuses shall be maintained. (7) Electrical wiring: All wiring shall be maintained in a safe condition, free from damage or deterioration. (8) Inadequate electrical systems: If an inspection reveals that the wiring system is deficient, in reference to the items listed above, additional requirements shall be in accordance with Chapter 98, section 1001.1 of the Ann Arbor City Code.
Ann Arbor — Ch. 105 Housing Code § 8:505 establishes minimum electrical standards for all dwellings, covering everything from outlet counts and lighting fixtures in habitable rooms to safe cord use and properly maintained circuit breakers. Habitable rooms must have at least two receptacles and one ceiling or wall light fixture, while bathrooms and hallways must also meet specific lighting and outlet requirements. The rule further prohibits unsafe cord practices—such as running cords under rugs or through doorways—and requires that any wiring deficiencies found during inspection be corrected in accordance with Chapter 98, section 1001.1 of the Ann Arbor City Code.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of rental dwellings in Ann Arbor generally ensure compliance with § 8:505 by verifying that each habitable room contains at least two properly spaced electrical receptacles and one ceiling or wall lighting fixture controlled by a wall switch. Compliant managers also confirm that bathrooms have the required outlet and lighting, that hallways and stairways are adequately illuminated with accessible switches, and that circuit breakers or properly sized fuses are in good working order. When appliance space such as a washer/dryer area is provided and the lease does not exclude such use, Ann Arbor — Ch. 105 Housing Code § 8:505 requires that dedicated convenience outlets be available for those appliances.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Ann Arbor — Ch. 105 Housing Code § 8:505, tenants have a right to live in a dwelling with a properly installed and maintained electrical system, including adequate outlets, lighting, and safe wiring throughout habitable rooms, bathrooms, and common areas. If electrical conditions appear to fall short of these standards—such as missing outlets, broken fixtures, or unsafe wiring—tenants may consider documenting the issues and reporting them to the Ann Arbor city inspection or code enforcement office. Tenant-rights organizations in Ann Arbor can also help residents understand what remedies may be available, including raising a code violation as a defense in certain housing proceedings.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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