Mich. Comp. Laws § § 125.497
Roof egress in multiple dwellings.
Operative Text
Sec. 97. Roof egress; scuttles and bulkheads. Every flat roof multiple-dwelling, exceeding 1 story in height, shall have at least 1 convenient and permanent means of access to the roof located in a public part of the building and not in a room or closet.
Michigan's MCL § 125.497 requires that every flat-roofed multi-unit residential building taller than one story must provide at least one reliable, permanent route to the roof. That access point—whether a scuttle hatch or bulkhead—must be situated in a common area of the building, not tucked inside a private room or closet. The rule ensures that roof access is available to all occupants and emergency responders without requiring entry into any individual unit or private space.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under MCL § 125.497, operators of flat-roof multi-unit buildings over one story are generally expected to maintain at least one roof-access point—such as a scuttle or bulkhead—that is permanently usable and located in a shared common area like a hallway or stairwell. Compliant operators routinely inspect these access points to confirm they remain unobstructed, functional, and clearly accessible without passing through any tenant's private room or closet. Keeping documentation of regular inspections and any maintenance performed on roof-access hardware is a practice consistent with ongoing compliance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
MCL § 125.497 establishes that residents of flat-roof multi-unit buildings taller than one story have a right to a building that provides permanent, common-area roof access—meaning the access point should never be routed through a private unit or closet. If a tenant believes this requirement is not being met, general enforcement paths include reporting the condition to the local building or housing code enforcement office, which has authority to inspect and cite violations. Tenant-rights organizations in Michigan can also help residents understand how this provision applies to their building and what documentation to gather.
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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