PROPERTY MAINTENANCE STANDARDS

Grand Rapids City Code tit. VIII, ch. 135, art. 2

in effect

Grand Rapids City Code § 8.205 Property Maintenance Required.

Sec. 8.205. - Property Maintenance Required. All property, regulated by this Chapter, whether occupied or unoccupied and all property including vacant property and/or formerly occupied property shall meet or exceed the standards of this Article. (Ord. No. 92-69, § 1, 10-20-92; Ord. No. 2002-56, § 2, 9-24-02)

Grand Rapids City Code § 8.206 Structural Integrity.

Sec. 8.206. - Structural Integrity. Basic structural elements, foundations, foundation walls and supporting columns shall be in good repair. (Ord. No. 92-69, § 1, 10-20-92)

Grand Rapids City Code § 8.207 Exterior Surfaces.

Sec. 8.207. - Exterior Surfaces. All exterior finish surfaces shall be weathertight and in good repair and shall not have any holes, cracks or deterioration which allow water or vermin to reach any basic structural element or to enter the interior of any building. (Ord. No. 92-69, § 1, 10-20-92)

Grand Rapids City Code § 8.208 Protection of Exterior Surfaces.

Sec. 8.208. - Protection of Exterior Surfaces. All exterior surfaces of a building or structure made of iron, wood, steel, masonry or other materials which may deteriorate from exposure to weather shall be protected from the weather by a properly applied weather-resistant paint, stain or other waterproof finish. Primers shall be properly covered with a water-resistent finish coating. (Ord. No. 92-69, § 1, 10-20-92; Ord. No. 93-10, § 1, 2-23-93)

Grand Rapids City Code § 8.209 Exterior Windows and Doors.

Sec. 8.209. - Exterior Windows and Doors. All exterior windows and doors shall be weather tight and in good repair, intact and functioning as originally intended and designed, or shall be secured against weather by boarding which is painted a color matching that of the adjacent exterior siding. Boarding shall be done in a manner and with materials as specified in this Code. All exterior openings suitable for human or animal entry shall be secured by use of exterior grade plywood, of at least three-eighths (⅜) inch thickness, cut to the size of the opening and secured by use of Phillips headed two (2) inches long screws on all first story or ground accessible points of entry or by use of 16d common nails which are permitted only on entry points being secured above the first story or where not accessible from ground level. Boards shall be placed over all points of entry. (Ord. No. 92-69, § 1, 10-20-92; Ord. No. 93-10, § 1, 2-23-93; Ord. No. 2002-56, § 3, 9-24-02)

Grand Rapids City Code § 8.210 Exterior Attachments.

Sec. 8.210. - Exterior Attachments. Exterior attachments to basic structural elements, including but not limited to gutters, downspouts, screening, vents, antennae, tanks, awnings, canopies, marquees, signs, lighting fixtures, handrails, guardrails and utility connections shall be in good repair. (Ord. No. 92-69, § 1, 10-20-92)

Grand Rapids City Code § 8.211 Accessory Improvements.

Sec. 8.211. - Accessory Improvements. All accessory improvements located on a property, including but not limited to walkways, driveways, parking areas, storm drains, parking bumpers, steps, handrails, guardrails, signs, lighting fixtures, poles, fences, walls, tanks, antennae and all other freestanding or made structures shall be in good repair. (Ord. No. 92-69, § 1, 10-20-92; Ord. No. 2002-56, § 4, 9-24-02)

Grand Rapids City Code § 8.212 Outdoor Storage.

Sec. 8.212. - Outdoor Storage. Outdoor storage of materials of value shall not be permitted to be located between the street and the building nor closer than three (3) feet to any side or rear lot line. Materials of value shall be stored in a safe and sanitary manner, shall not be scattered about and shall not have openings nor be stacked in a manner which may provide harborage for vermin. (Ord. No. 92-69, § 1, 10-20-92)

Grand Rapids City Code § 8.213 Trees and Shrubs.

Sec. 8.213. - Trees and Shrubs. No tree, shrub or other vegetation shall be allowed to damage a building or block safe vision of a sidewalk, drive or street. No dead tree, trees, or parts thereof shall be permitted on any property regulated by this Chapter. (Ord. No. 92-69, § 1, 10-20-92; Ord. No. 2002-56, § 5, 9-24-02)

Grand Rapids City Code § 8.214 Health and Sanitation.

Sec. 8.214. - Health and Sanitation. All exterior areas shall be sanitary and free of trash and garbage. (Ord. No. 92-69, § 1, 10-20-92; Ord. No. 2002-56, § 6, 9-24-02)

Grand Rapids City Code § 8.215 Tenant Responsibility for Maintenance.

Sec. 8.215. - Tenant Responsibility for Maintenance. A tenant shall be responsible for complying with the standards of this Chapter on that portion of the premises controlled exclusively by the tenant. (Ord. No. 92-69, § 1, 10-20-92; Ord. No. 2002-56, § 7, 9-24-02)

Grand Rapids City Code § 8.216 Owner Responsibility for Maintenance.

Sec. 8.216. - Owner Responsibility for Maintenance. The owner of a property shall be responsible for complying with the Standards set forth in this Chapter except as otherwise stated in this Chapter. (Ord. No. 92-69, § 1, 10-20-92; Ord. No. 2002-56, § 8, 9-24-02)

Grand Rapids City Code § 8.217 Good Workmanship.

Sec. 8.217. - Good Workmanship. Additions, replacements, repairs or changes made to buildings, accessory buildings, appurtenances, structures, improvements, or facilities regulated by this Chapter shall be made with good workmanship. (Ord. No. 92-69, § 1, 10-20-92; Ord. No. 2002-56, § 9, 9-24-02)

Grand Rapids City Code § 8.218 Exterior Security Lighting.

Sec. 8.218. - Exterior Security Lighting. An exterior light fixture in good repair shall be provided adjacent to each entryway and exit located at the front, side or rear of a building having electrical service. Such light fixture shall be lit between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. daily. (Ord. No. 93-10, § 2, 2-23-93; Ord. No. 2002-56, § 10, 9-24-02)

Grand Rapids City Code § 8.219 Street Address Visible.

Sec. 8.219. - Street Address Visible. Street addresses, as required and regulated by Title IV of the City Code shall also be provided for any building regulated by this Chapter so as to identify the building from an adjacent public alleyway. (Ord. No. 93-10, § 2, 2-23-93)

Grand Rapids City Code § 8.220 Vacant Property Identification.

Sec. 8.220. - Vacant Property Identification. An identification sign in good repair and visible from the street shall be affixed to a vacant unoccupied property regulated by this Chapter. Such sign shall provide the name and phone number of the property owner or other responsible person to be contacted regarding maintenance or an emergency. (Ord. No. 93-10, § 2, 2-23-93; Ord. No. 2002-56, § 11, 9-24-02)

Grand Rapids City Code § 8.221 Reoccupancy of Vacant Properties.

Sec. 8.221. - Reoccupancy of Vacant Properties. No building where electrical service or water service has been terminated shall have services restored until a Certificate of Use and Occupancy or a Certificate of Permitted Occupancy has been issued by the City. (Ord. No. 93-10, § 2, 2-23-93; Ord. No. 2002-56, § 12, 9-24-02)

Grand Rapids City Code § 8.222 Registration of Abandoned Properties.

Sec. 8.222. - Registration of Abandoned Properties. Owners of abandoned properties shall register such properties as required by this Chapter. Registration requirements will not preclude the City from taking appropriate actions to secure the property or to issue orders to repair or abate or from acting upon imminent hazard(s). (Ord. No. 2002-56, § 13, 9-24-02)

Grand Rapids City Code § 8.223 Registration Information.

Sec. 8.223. - Registration Information. For each abandoned or vacant property, and for any structure which is abandoned, as defined in this Code, the owner(s) shall register with the City and shall provide the following information: (1) Legal name of owner(s) and date of birth. (2) Address of owner(s), both locally and as otherwise appropriate. (3) Name, address, and telephone number of any agent or representative authorized by the owner to handle the affairs of the property, if employed. If such an agent or representative is utilized, he/she must reside within a one-hour driving radius of the City. (4) Telephone number(s) of owner for contact purposes. (5) Proof of identification of owner. (6) Enclosed statement which shall contain the following data: a. Estimated length of time property is expected to remain unused, b. Reason for nonuse, and c. Plans for restoration, reuse or removal. This must be accompanied by a timeline or work schedule. (7) Such additional information as is required by the City. (Ord. No. 2002-56, § 14, 9-24-02)

Source: City of Grand Rapids, Michigan, City Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/mi/grand_rapids/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIVIEIIM_CH135BUMACO_ART2PRMASTFetched: 11/7/2026