Benton Harbor, MI Code of Ordinances Ch. 20 Art. VI Annual Registration of Habitable Rental Properties §§ 20-165 – 20-204 § 20-165
Purpose and intent
Operative Text
The purpose of this article is to protect the public health, safety, and welfare of people in residential buildings, to be occupied under rent or lease agreements, by the inspection and certification of rental properties as set forth below. The word structure as used herein shall mean any single or multiple dwelling unit which is rented, leased, or used or offered for use as a place for people to reside. *Editor’s note-An Ord. of July 2, 1990, § 1, amended former Art. VI, §§ 20-165 - 20-177, to read as herein set out. Former Art. VI pertained to similar subject matter and derived from Ord. No. 534, Ch. 64, §§ 5-12, 8-27-84; Ord. of 5-7-90, § 1; Ord. of 6-25-90, § 1.
Benton Harbor, MI Code of Ordinances Ch. 20 Art. VI (§§ 20-165 – 20-204) establishes a framework for protecting the health, safety, and welfare of people living in rental housing through a system of inspection and certification. The article applies to any structure — whether a single unit or a multi-unit building — that is rented, leased, or offered for residential use. The term 'structure' is defined broadly to capture all such properties within the program's scope.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Benton Harbor Ch. 20 Art. VI (§§ 20-165 – 20-204), rental property owners and managers are generally expected to participate in the city's inspection and certification program for habitable rental properties. Compliant operators typically ensure that every structure they rent, lease, or offer for residential occupancy meets the standards required for certification under this article. Keeping properties registered and inspection-ready is a hallmark of operating within the framework this article establishes.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Benton Harbor Ch. 20 Art. VI (§§ 20-165 – 20-204) is designed with tenant welfare in mind, establishing that rental properties must be inspected and certified to protect residents' health and safety. Tenants living in structures covered by this article — including single-unit and multi-unit rentals — may have grounds to raise concerns if a property has not been properly certified under this program. General enforcement paths can include contacting the city's relevant housing or code enforcement office, or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization for guidance on available options.
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 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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