Dearborn Heights — Ch. 7 Art. IX Div. 10 Registration and Inspection of All Rental Dwellings § 7-619
Definitions
Operative Text
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in division 10 of this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning: Dwelling: Any building or structure occupied or intended to be occupied, in whole or in part, as a dwelling, residing place, living or sleeping space for one or more humans, whether permanently or transiently. Dwelling unit: A building or structure or portion thereof designed for occupancy by one (1) family for residential purposes as a single housekeeping unit. Hotel unit: A room or group of rooms located within a dwelling which provides sleeping and bathroom accommodations for the exclusive use of a transient person or a transient family. Rental dwelling: Any dwelling building containing a dwelling unit, rooming unit or hotel unit which is not occupied by the owner.
Section 7-619 of Dearborn Heights Ch. 7 Art. IX Div. 10 establishes the foundational definitions that govern the city's rental registration and inspection program. Key terms—including 'dwelling,' 'dwelling unit,' 'hotel unit,' and 'rental dwelling'—are given specific meanings that apply throughout Division 10. Notably, a 'rental dwelling' is defined as any dwelling containing a dwelling unit, rooming unit, or hotel unit that is not owner-occupied, which determines which properties fall under the division's requirements.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 7-619, property owners should understand that the definition of 'rental dwelling' is broad: any building with a dwelling unit, rooming unit, or hotel unit that the owner does not personally occupy is captured by Division 10's registration and inspection rules. This means operators of single-family rentals, multi-unit buildings, rooming houses, and transient hotel-style accommodations may all fall within the program's scope. Compliant operators typically review these definitions carefully to determine whether their properties trigger registration and inspection obligations under the broader division.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 7-619 sets out the definitions that determine which types of housing are covered by Dearborn Heights' rental registration and inspection program under Ch. 7 Art. IX Div. 10. If a tenant lives in a building that qualifies as a 'rental dwelling' under this section—meaning it is not owner-occupied—the property is subject to the division's oversight requirements. Tenants who believe their housing may not be properly registered or inspected can consult the city's relevant enforcement office or a local tenant-rights organization to understand what protections and remedies may be available.
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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