Benton Harbor, MI Code of Ordinances Ch. 20 Art. VI Annual Registration of Habitable Rental Properties §§ 20-165 – 20-204 § 20-166
Registration required
Operative Text
(a) Every single unit dwelling, multiple unit dwelling, boarding house, and lodging house offered for let or hire shall be registered annually, on or before July 1 of each year, including full payment of all fees and penalties due, with the department of public safety, division of building inspections for the city of Benton Harbor. The annual registration shall be in the name of the owner or his designated responsible party. The registration shall contain the name and address of the registrant, the address of the unit(s) being registered, and the number of units to be offered for let or hire. It is a civil violation for any property owner to rent, let or lease any residential property or premises if the annual rental registration fee is not paid. Said property or premises shall be posted as unfit for occupancy until all registration fees and penalties are paid. A penalty of Two Hundred Fifty ($250.00) Dollars shall be applied for any violation of this section. (b) Any individual who acquires partial or complete ownership of a unit(s) subject to this Article shall give written notice of the type of ownership and address(es) within thirty (30) days of acquisition to the Division of Building Inspections. Failure to provide such ownership information shall subject the party to the penalty provisions of Section 20-176. (c) Close family members limited to father, mother, sister, brother, son, or daughter may occupy a dwelling unit without payment of registration fee by the owner. Such occupancy shall be certified in writing by the owner and the close family member, and the family member shall not compensate the owner in any manner. Such dwelling unit shall still be registered and is subject to the inspection requirements of the City of Benton Harbor.
Under Benton Harbor, MI Code of Ordinances § 20-166, every rental dwelling in the city — whether a single unit, multi-unit building, boarding house, or lodging house — must be registered annually with the Division of Building Inspections by July 1 of each year, with all fees paid in full. Renting out a property without completing this registration is a civil violation, and the property may be posted as unfit for occupancy until fees and any penalties are resolved. New owners must notify the Division of Building Inspections in writing within 30 days of acquiring a rental property, and a limited exception exists for uncompensated occupancy by close family members, though those units must still be registered and are subject to inspection.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of rental properties in Benton Harbor are generally expected to complete annual registration under § 20-166 with the Division of Building Inspections on or before July 1 each year, submitting the owner's name and address, the property address, and the number of units offered for rent, along with full payment of applicable fees. Compliant operators also provide written notice to the Division within 30 days whenever ownership of a registered unit changes hands. Failure to register before renting exposes the property owner to a $250 civil penalty per violation and risks the property being posted as unfit for occupancy, so maintaining current registration records is a standard part of property management in the city.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 20-166 of the Benton Harbor Code of Ordinances, tenants have an interest in knowing whether their rental unit is properly registered with the Division of Building Inspections, since a landlord who rents an unregistered unit is committing a civil violation and the property can be posted as unfit for occupancy. If a tenant believes their unit is not registered, they may contact the Benton Harbor Division of Building Inspections to inquire about the property's registration status. Tenants who have concerns about enforcement of this provision may also consider reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid office for general information about their 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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