Mich. Comp. Laws § § 125.476
Multiple dwellings; walls and ceilings of rooms.
Operative Text
Sec. 76. Walls and ceilings of rooms. In all multiple dwellings the health officer or such other appropriate official as the mayor may designate, may require the walls and ceiling of every room that does not open directly on the street to be kalsomined white or painted with white paint when necessary to improve the lighting of such room and may require this to be renewed as often as may be necessary.
Under MCL § 125.476, local health officers or other officials designated by the mayor have the authority to order that walls and ceilings in interior rooms of multiple dwellings—those that do not open directly onto a street—be whitewashed or painted white when doing so would improve the room's lighting. This requirement can be renewed as often as the official deems necessary. The provision applies specifically to multi-unit residential buildings and is triggered by an official determination that lighting conditions are inadequate.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of multiple dwellings subject to MCL § 125.476 should be aware that a local health officer or mayoral designee can issue an order requiring interior rooms without direct street access to be whitewashed or painted white to improve lighting conditions. Compliant property managers typically respond promptly to such official directives and maintain records of when walls and ceilings were last treated, since the provision allows officials to require renewal as often as necessary. Staying proactive about interior room lighting conditions in multi-unit buildings can help avoid repeated orders under this section.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
MCL § 125.476 gives tenants in multiple dwellings a basis to raise concerns if interior rooms lack adequate lighting due to the condition of walls and ceilings, since local health officers or designated officials have authority to order whitewashing or white painting to address such conditions. Tenants who believe their unit's interior rooms are inadequately lit may consider contacting their local health department or housing authority to request an inspection. Tenant-rights organizations in Michigan can help residents understand how this provision interacts with other habitability standards and what general options 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 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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