Ann Arbor — Ch. 105 Housing Code § 8:509
General requirements relating to the maintenance of dwellings, parts of dwellings, and facilities
Operative Text
No person shall occupy as owner-occupant, or let to another for occupancy, any dwelling unit which does not comply with the following requirements: (1) Structural maintenance. Every foundation, floor, wall, ceiling and roof shall be reasonably weathertight, watertight, and rodent proof; shall be capable of affording privacy; and shall be kept in good repair. All exterior wood surfaces shall be reasonably protected from the elements and from deteriorating, by paint or other protective treatment, except such wood surfaces composed of wood which is naturally resistant to decay, used primarily for decorative purposes, or where weathering is desired to produce a decorative effect. (2) Openings. Every window, exterior door, and basement hatchway shall be reasonably weathertight, watertight and rodent proof, and shall be kept in sound working condition and good repair. All glazing in windows and doors shall be maintained unbroken and uncracked. Windows designed for ventilation shall be easily opened and capable of staying in the open position. Small non-hazardous cracks shall be noted during inspections and shall be repaired prior to the next periodic inspection provided they meet the following conditions: (a) The cracks do not exceed 3 inches long. (b) The crack cannot cut when you run your finger across it. (c) It has a stable, smooth surface. (d) There are no more than 3 such cracks per unit. If there are more than 3 cracks, either in 1 window or per unit, the window(s) must be repaired. (3) Stairs, porches, and balconies. Every stair, porch, balcony, and appurtenance thereto shall be so constructed as to be safe to use and capable of supporting the load that normal use may cause to be placed thereon. They shall be kept in sound condition and good repair. All stairways shall be provided with handrails as provided in the Housing Code. In 1- and 2-family dwellings every porch or balcony over 30 inches from grade shall be provided with guards a minimum of 36 inches in height on all open sides. There shall also be intermediate guards spaced not more than 15 inches apart. In multiple dwellings every porch or balcony over 30 inches from grade shall be provided with guards on all open sides a minimum of 42 inches in height, and there shall be intermediate guards spaced not more than 15 inches apart on all open sides. Exception: (a) Buildings with existing guards in good repair; (b) Historic buildings may have guards installed/replaced to a height consistent with the Historic District Commission's recommendations. (4) Supplied facilities. Every supplied facility, piece of equipment or utility which is required by this chapter shall be so constructed or installed that it will function safely and effectively and shall be maintained in satisfactory working condition. At the time of leasing, the owner and tenant may enter into an agreement that any nonrequired facility/equipment shall not have to be repaired/replaced if it ceases to function. If its presence presents a dangerous condition, it shall be removed/repaired. Any such agreement shall be in writing. (5) Continuous operation of facilities. No owner, operator, or occupant, shall cause any service facility, equipment, or utility, which is supplied under this chapter, to be removed from, or shut off from, or discontinued, for any occupied dwelling let or occupied by him/her except for: (a) Such temporary interruption as may be necessary while actual repairs or alterations are in process. (b) During temporary emergencies when discontinuance of service is approved by the Building Official. (c) Where the lease designates that the resident shall be responsible for a particular utility, the owner may arrange to remove the owners name from the utility service. This subsection shall not be construed to abridge the rights of public utilities to interrupt service. (6) General repair. Every dwelling and all parts thereof including plumbing, heating, ventilating and electrical wiring shall be kept in good repair by the owner. The roof shall be so maintained as not to leak. Any interpretation of "good repair" not specifically required by Chapter 105 shall be subject to the requirements of section 8:512 (1) and (2). (7) Fire chases. Every dwelling or dwelling unit that has openings in the wall, floor, or ceiling, creating a fire chase into concealed spaces shall be sealed with materials to achieve a fire rating equal to the surface penetrated. (8) Storage rooms or storage space. (a) In multiple unit dwellings: All storage areas located in or adjacent to an exitway must be enclosed (floor, walls, ceilings) with materials to achieve a 1-hour fire rating. Any door leading to the exitway must be an approved fire door with approved self-closing device and latch. In multiple unit dwellings reasonable, non-combustible storage is allowed in other areas, provided that it is kept at least 5 feet from any fuel fired heating facility or water heater. (Exception: Combustible storage is allowed if the storage area is protected by an approved sprinkler system.) (b) In 1- and 2-family and terrace family dwellings, reasonable tenant storage may be allowed in an unenclosed area, but it must be kept at least 5 feet from the heating facilities and hot water heater. (c) Storage of any kind must be maintained at least 2 feet from the ceiling (or bottom of the joists). (9) Exterior areas. All exterior property areas shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition, free from any accumulation of rubbish, garbage, and other offensive and hazardous material. (a) Accessory structures: Fences, garages, and sheds shall be maintained in structurally sound condition and in good repair. Garages and sheds shall be maintained free of vermin and rodents. All exterior wood surfaces shall be protected from decay by application of paint or other approved preservative or shall be a naturally durable material. (b) Sidewalks, driveways and parking areas designated for pedestrian traffic shall be maintained free from holes, depressions or projections that could cause tripping or injury. (c) All snow and ice which has accumulated prior to 6:00 a.m. on a private sidewalk used for ingress or egress, maintenance of the building, or garbage disposal shall be removed by 2:30 of the same day. Immediately after the accumulation of ice on such sidewalks, it shall be treated with sand or other substance to prevent it from being slippery. Parking lots (as defined in Chapter 55) shall have snow removed from the parking areas and designated pedestrian areas within 24 hours of cessation of the snowfall when the snow reaches a depth of 3 inches or greater. (d) The owner/manager of any dwelling shall maintain the refuse area in a clean, sanitary and litter free condition and provide removal of refuse as needed. (10) Peeling paint. Peeling paint shall be cited under general repair requirements as follows: (a) Interior: In food preparation areas and/or eating areas. In other areas within the dwelling/unit where the deterioration is continuous and there is evidence of flaking or falling paint. Lead paint is prohibited. (b) Exterior: Where approximately 15% or more of the exterior painted surfaces are peeling or in need of repainting. Where there is evidence of decay or rotting wood due to lack of or deterioration of the paint, it shall be cited regardless of the area. (11) Water drainage around foundations. The area around the dwelling shall be graded so that water will drain away from the foundation.
Ann Arbor — Ch. 105 Housing Code § 8:509 sets out comprehensive physical maintenance standards that apply to every dwelling unit in the city. It covers structural elements like foundations, walls, roofs, and floors; openings such as windows and doors; stairs, porches, and balconies; supplied utilities and facilities; exterior areas including sidewalks, snow removal, and refuse; and fire safety requirements for storage and wall penetrations. No dwelling unit may be occupied or rented unless it meets all of these requirements, and ongoing upkeep is the rule rather than a one-time obligation.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Ann Arbor — Ch. 105 Housing Code § 8:509, compliant property operators keep all structural components, windows, doors, stairs, and balconies in good repair and weathertight. They ensure utilities and required facilities remain continuously operational, document any written agreements with tenants about non-required equipment, and maintain exterior areas—including timely snow removal and refuse management. Operators also address peeling paint, fire chases, and storage clearance requirements before each periodic inspection to avoid citations.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Ann Arbor — Ch. 105 Housing Code § 8:509 gives tenants the right to occupy a unit that meets broad habitability and safety standards, from sound windows and guardrails to functioning utilities and clean exterior areas. If conditions fall short—such as a leaking roof, broken glazing, or discontinued heat—tenants can document the issues and report them to the Ann Arbor Building Inspection division, which enforces the Housing Code. Tenant-rights organizations in the Ann Arbor area can explain available options, including raising a code violation as a defense in certain housing proceedings.
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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