Mich. Comp. Laws § § 125.483
Overcrowding; minimum space requirements.
Operative Text
Sec. 83. Overcrowding. No bedroom or room used as a bedroom in any class "b" multiple dwelling shall be so occupied as to provide less than 500 cubic feet of air space per occupant, exclusive of the cubic air space of bathrooms, toilet rooms and closets. No room, suite or group of rooms, comprising a family dwelling unit, in any single, 2 family or class "a" multiple dwelling shall be so occupied as to provide less than 800 cubic feet of air space per occupant exclusive of the cubic air space of bathrooms, toilet rooms and closets. No bedroom or room used as a bedroom in any single, 2 family or class "a" multiple dwelling shall be so occupied as to provide less than 300 cubic feet of air space per occupant, exclusive of the cubic air space of bathrooms, toilet rooms and closets.
MCL § 125.483 establishes minimum air-space requirements to prevent overcrowding in residential dwellings in Michigan. In class 'b' multiple dwellings, each bedroom must provide at least 500 cubic feet of air space per occupant, while in single, two-family, or class 'a' multiple dwellings, the overall dwelling unit must provide at least 800 cubic feet per occupant and each bedroom at least 300 cubic feet per occupant. Bathrooms, toilet rooms, and closets are excluded from these air-space calculations.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of residential properties covered by MCL § 125.483 generally calculate the usable cubic footage of each bedroom and dwelling unit—excluding bathrooms, toilet rooms, and closets—before determining how many occupants a space may lawfully accommodate. Compliant operators in class 'b' multiple dwellings ensure each bedroom meets the 500-cubic-foot-per-occupant threshold, while those managing single, two-family, or class 'a' multiple dwellings apply both the 800-cubic-foot-per-unit standard and the 300-cubic-foot-per-bedroom standard. Maintaining records of unit dimensions and occupancy limits can help demonstrate compliance during inspections.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
MCL § 125.483 gives occupants of Michigan residential dwellings a right to a minimum amount of air space, which is a baseline protection against overcrowding conditions. Tenants who believe their unit falls below the applicable cubic-footage thresholds may consider documenting the space and occupancy, contacting their local housing or building inspection department to request an inspection, or reaching out to a tenant-rights organization for general guidance. Raising a violation of this provision may also be relevant as a defense or counterclaim 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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