Mich. Comp. Laws § § 125.485a
Site of illegal drug manufacturing; notification of potential contamination; determination of contamination; rules; order by local health department.
Operative Text
Sec. 85a. (1) Within 48 hours of discovering an illegal drug manufacturing site, a state or local law enforcement agency shall notify the enforcing agency, the local health department if the enforcing agency is not the local health department, and the department of community health regarding the potential contamination of any property or dwelling that is or has been the site of illegal drug manufacturing. The state or local law enforcement agency shall post a written warning on the premises stating that potential contamination exists and may constitute a hazard to the health or safety of those who may occupy the premises. (2) Within 14 days after receipt of the notification under subsection (1) or as soon thereafter as practically possible, the department of community health, in cooperation with the enforcing agency, shall review the information received from the state or local law enforcement agency, emergency first responders, or hazardous materials team that was called to the site and make a determination regarding whether the premises are likely to be contaminated and whether that contamination may constitute a hazard to the health or safety of those who may occupy the premises. The fact that property or a dwelling has been used as a site for illegal drug manufacturing shall be treated by the department of community health as prima facie evidence of likely contamination that may constitute a hazard to the health or safety of those who may occupy those premises. (3) If the property or dwelling, or both, is determined likely to be contaminated under subsection (2), the enforcing agency shall issue an order requiring the property or dwelling to be vacated until the property owner establishes that the property is decontaminated or the risk of likely contamination ceases to exist. The property owner may establish that the property is decontaminated by submitting a written assessment of the property before decontamination and a written assessment of the property after decontamination, enumerating the steps taken to render the property decontaminated, and a certification that the property has been decontaminated and that the risk of likely contamination no longer exists to the enforcing agency. The property or dwelling shall remain vacated until the enforcing agency has reviewed and concurred in the certification. (4) The department of community health shall promulgate rules and procedures necessary to implement this section. (5) Nothing in this section precludes a local health department from exercising its powers or duties under this act or the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.1101 to 333.25211. However, if there is a determination under subsection (2) that is contrary to an order made by a local health department, then the determination made under subsection (2) takes precedence.
MCL § 125.485a establishes a coordinated government response when an illegal drug manufacturing site is discovered on a residential or other property. Law enforcement must notify health and housing enforcement agencies within 48 hours and post a warning on the premises. Within 14 days, the Michigan Department of Community Health reviews available information and determines whether the property is likely contaminated and hazardous; a prior use as a drug manufacturing site is treated as prima facie evidence of likely contamination. If contamination is deemed likely, the enforcing agency must order the property vacated until the owner demonstrates through written assessments and a formal certification that decontamination has been completed and the risk no longer exists.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under MCL § 125.485a, property owners whose premises are identified as a former illegal drug manufacturing site face a mandatory vacate order if the Department of Community Health determines likely contamination. Compliant property owners generally obtain a written pre-decontamination assessment, carry out remediation, and then secure a post-decontamination assessment along with a formal certification that the contamination risk no longer exists. The enforcing agency must review and concur in that certification before the property may be reoccupied, so maintaining thorough documentation of every remediation step is a standard part of the process.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
MCL § 125.485a provides important protections for people who occupy or might occupy a property that was used for illegal drug manufacturing. When law enforcement discovers such a site, a written warning must be posted on the premises, and government agencies are required to assess whether the property poses a health or safety hazard. Tenants who believe they are living in or near a property subject to this provision may contact the local health department or the Michigan Department of Community Health for information, or reach out to a tenant-rights organization to understand what options may be available to them.
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.
Effective Timeline
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