Benton Harbor, MI Code of Ordinances Ch. 20 Art. VI Annual Registration of Habitable Rental Properties §§ 20-165 – 20-204 § 20-176
Penalties; separate offense
Operative Text
Unless stated otherwise in this ordinance, any person, owner or designated responsible party convicted of violating any provision of this article shall be punished by a fine having a maximum of $500 (five hundred dollars) and having a minimum fine of $100 (one hundred dollars) for the first conviction and a minimum fine of $200 (two hundred dollars) for the second conviction and a minimum fine of $300 (three hundred dollars) for the third and each additional conviction and/or imprisonment for a term of up to ninety (90) days in jail or both. Additionally, the court shall order the immediate correction of all violations of the provisions of this article, which were the basis for the citation and issuance of a ticket and/or warrant. Each violation of the provisions hereof shall be deemed a separate offense.
Section 20-176 of Benton Harbor's Code of Ordinances establishes a tiered penalty structure for violations of the annual rental property registration article. Fines range from a minimum of $100 up to $500 for a first conviction, with minimums rising to $200 for a second conviction and $300 for a third or subsequent conviction; courts may also impose up to 90 days of jail time, or both a fine and imprisonment. Courts are additionally required to order immediate correction of the cited violations, and each individual violation is treated as a separate offense, meaning multiple infractions can result in multiple penalties.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and designated responsible parties subject to Benton Harbor's rental registration requirements under §§ 20-165 through 20-204 should be aware that § 20-176 imposes escalating minimum fines—starting at $100 for a first conviction and rising with each subsequent conviction—up to a $500 maximum per offense. Because each violation is deemed a separate offense, operators with multiple deficiencies can face compounding penalties, as well as a court-ordered mandate to immediately correct all cited violations. Compliant operators generally maintain current registrations, address code deficiencies proactively, and keep documentation of inspections and repairs to demonstrate ongoing compliance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 20-176 of Benton Harbor's Code of Ordinances, tenants living in rental properties that violate the annual registration article may have recourse through the local court system, which is empowered to impose fines on owners and order the immediate correction of all cited violations. Because each violation constitutes a separate offense, landlords with multiple unaddressed issues can face significant cumulative penalties. Tenants who believe their landlord is out of compliance with §§ 20-165–20-204 may consider contacting Benton Harbor's local code enforcement office, consulting a tenant-rights organization, or exploring whether a violation can be raised as a defense in relevant legal 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 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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