Benton Harbor, MI Code of Ordinances Ch. 20 Art. VI Annual Registration of Habitable Rental Properties §§ 20-165 – 20-204 § 20-167
Annual certificate of occupancy required
Operative Text
(a) No single dwelling, multiple unit dwelling, boarding house or lodging house offered to let or hire shall be occupied unless the Division of Building Inspections has issued a Certificate of Occupancy for the single unit dwelling, multiple unit dwelling, boarding house or lodging house in the name of the owner or his designated responsible party. (b) Each Certificate of Occupancy shall be a certification that the rental unit is registered from July 1st of the year of issuance and expires June 30th of the following year.
Under Benton Harbor, MI Code of Ordinances § 20-167, no rental dwelling — whether a single-family home, multi-unit building, boarding house, or lodging house — may be occupied unless the Division of Building Inspections has issued a Certificate of Occupancy in the owner's name or that of a designated responsible party. Each certificate covers a one-year period running from July 1st through June 30th of the following year, meaning properties must be re-certified on an annual cycle. The rule applies to any dwelling offered for rent or hire, making the certificate a prerequisite to lawful occupancy rather than an optional formality.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of rental properties in Benton Harbor subject to § 20-167 generally ensure that a valid Certificate of Occupancy issued by the Division of Building Inspections is in place before any tenant takes occupancy. Because each certificate runs from July 1 through June 30, compliant operators typically track the annual renewal deadline and initiate the inspection process well in advance of expiration. The certificate must be issued in the owner's name or that of a designated responsible party, so keeping that designation current with the Division of Building Inspections is part of routine compliance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 20-167 of the Benton Harbor Code of Ordinances, tenants have an interest in knowing whether their rental unit holds a current Certificate of Occupancy issued by the Division of Building Inspections, since occupancy without one is not permitted under the ordinance. Tenants who believe their unit lacks a valid certificate may consider contacting the Division of Building Inspections to inquire about the property's registration status. Local tenant-rights organizations can also help explain how the absence of a certificate might be raised in housing proceedings or complaints.
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 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.