Detroit — Ch. 22 Art. VII Requirements for Control of Bed Bugs in Rental Dwellings § 22-7-1
Definitions
Operative Text
For the purpose of this article, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section: Bed bug means any stage and species of the insect Cimex. Bedding shall mean any mattress, mattress-type pad, box spring, upholstered spring bed, upholstered furniture, day bed, davenport, couch, reclining chair, sleeping bag, packaged filling material, pillow, quilt, mattress protector pad, comforter, cushion or quilted bedspread that contains filling material concealed by fabric or other flexible material, or any article used or intended for use for sleeping or reclining purposes. Control means hiring a professional service to inspect, clean, conduct thermal remediation, eradicate, properly dispose of personal property, and conduct treatments. Infestation or infested means the presence of live bed bugs or viable bed bug eggs. Landlord means either of the following: (1) The owner, lessor, or sub lessor of the rental property; or (2) A person authorized to exercise any aspect of the management of a rental property including a person who, directly or indirectly, acts as a rental agent or receives rent, other than as a bona fide purchaser, whether or not that person has an obligation to deliver the rent payments to another person. Occupant means any individual, including a tenant, who is living or sleeping in a building or structure, or having possession of a space within a building or structure. Pest management professional means a commercial applicator as defined in Section 8302 of the Michigan Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, being MCL 324.8302, who is licensed under Section 8313 of the Act, being MCL 324.8313. Rental agreement means an agreement that establishes, extends or modifies the terms, conditions, or other provisions concerning the use and occupancy of a rental property. Rental property means space utilized for residential, commercial or industrial purposes. Senior living community means a residential community or housing complex designed for adults age 55 and older. Treatment means either of the following: (1) A licensed pest management professional, as defined in this section, applying pesticides or other chemicals, thermal radiation, or other methods common to the pest management industry to eradicate bed bugs; or (2) Self-help treatment, including methods suggested by the state.
Detroit City Code Chapter 22, Article VII, Section 22-7-1 establishes the foundational definitions that govern all bed bug control requirements in rental dwellings throughout the article. Key terms such as 'infestation,' 'control,' 'treatment,' 'landlord,' and 'pest management professional' are given specific legal meanings that apply whenever those words appear elsewhere in the article. For example, 'control' specifically requires hiring a professional service, while 'treatment' can include either a licensed pest management professional or approved self-help methods. These definitions set the interpretive boundaries for every obligation and right described in the rest of Article VII.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Detroit Ch. 22 Art. VII § 22-7-1, the definition of 'landlord' is notably broad, encompassing not only property owners but also anyone who manages, acts as a rental agent for, or collects rent on a rental property. Operators who delegate management duties to agents or property managers should be aware that those agents may independently fall within the article's definition of 'landlord' and carry corresponding responsibilities. Compliant operators generally familiarize themselves with all defined terms in § 22-7-1, since terms like 'control,' 'infestation,' and 'pest management professional' carry precise meanings that shape the duties described throughout the rest of Article VII.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Detroit Ch. 22 Art. VII § 22-7-1 defines 'occupant' broadly to include any individual living or sleeping in a rental unit, meaning tenants and other residents are covered by the article's protections regardless of whether they are the named leaseholder. The definition of 'infestation' — the presence of live bed bugs or viable eggs — is the threshold that triggers the article's requirements, so tenants who observe these conditions may have grounds to invoke the article's protections. Tenants seeking to understand how these definitions affect their rights can consult a local tenant-rights organization or review the full text of Article VII alongside § 22-7-1 to see how the defined terms apply to specific obligations.
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
Rules and statutes cited by this regulation
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.