St. Clair Shores — Ch. 8 Art. VII Inspection of Residential Rental Properties § 8-305
Certificate of approval defined
Operative Text
A certificate of approval for the purposes of this article shall be termed a "four-in-one" certificate which shall mean the structural, electrical, plumbing and heating systems have been reviewed and appear by visual observation to suit the intent of this article in terms of habitability but shall in no way mean that the systems comport with all applicable, state-approved codes adopted by reference by the City which are generally implemented in new residential construction. A certificate shall be valid for a period of three years from the date of issuance.
Section 8-305 of St. Clair Shores' Ch. 8 Art. VII defines a 'four-in-one' certificate of approval as a document confirming that a rental property's structural, electrical, plumbing, and heating systems have been visually reviewed and appear to meet basic habitability standards. Importantly, this certificate does not certify full compliance with all state-approved building codes that apply to new residential construction. Once issued, the certificate remains valid for three years from its issuance date.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 8-305, operators of residential rental properties in St. Clair Shores should understand that obtaining a 'four-in-one' certificate of approval means inspectors have visually assessed the four core systems—structural, electrical, plumbing, and heating—for general habitability, not full code compliance. Compliant operators typically track the three-year validity window of each certificate and initiate the renewal process before expiration to avoid lapses in certification. Because the certificate does not guarantee conformance with all applicable state-approved codes, property managers generally maintain their properties to broader code standards as well.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 8-305 establishes that a 'four-in-one' certificate of approval covers a visual habitability review of a rental unit's structural, electrical, plumbing, and heating systems, but it does not confirm that the property meets every applicable building code. Tenants should be aware that a valid certificate—which lasts three years under this provision—reflects a baseline habitability check, not a comprehensive code-compliance guarantee. Those with concerns about conditions in their rental unit may consider contacting the St. Clair Shores city offices, reviewing the broader Ch. 8 Art. VII framework, or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization for information about available options.
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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