Mich. Comp. Laws § § 125.486
Health order; repairs to buildings, other structures.
Operative Text
Sec. 86. Repairs to buildings, etc. Whenever any dwelling or any building, structure, excavation, business pursuit, matter or thing, in or about a dwelling, or the lot on which it is situated, or the plumbing, sewerage, drainage, light or ventilation thereof, is in the opinion of the health officer or such other appropriate public official as the mayor may designate in a condition or in effect dangerous or detrimental to life or health, the health officer or such other appropriate public official as the mayor may designate may declare that the same to the extent he may specify is a public nuisance, and may order the same to be removed, abated, suspended, altered or otherwise improved or purified as the order shall specify.
Under MCL § 125.486, when a dwelling, related structure, or its essential systems—such as plumbing, drainage, lighting, or ventilation—is found to be dangerous or detrimental to life or health, a designated public official (typically the local health officer or a mayoral appointee) has the authority to formally declare it a public nuisance. Once that declaration is made, the official can issue an order requiring the problem to be removed, corrected, altered, or otherwise remediated in the manner the order specifies. This provision gives local authorities a legal mechanism to compel action when housing conditions pose a threat to public health and safety.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under MCL § 125.486 are generally expected to maintain dwellings and all associated structures, systems, and lot conditions in a state that does not endanger health or safety. Compliant operators routinely inspect and address deficiencies in plumbing, sewerage, drainage, lighting, and ventilation before conditions deteriorate to the point where a health officer or mayoral designee might declare a public nuisance. When a formal order is issued under this section, operators typically document their remediation steps and timeline to demonstrate compliance with the specific corrective actions required.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
MCL § 125.486 gives tenants a basis to understand that local health officers or other designated public officials have the power to inspect and act on dangerous or unhealthy conditions in a dwelling, including problems with plumbing, drainage, lighting, or ventilation. If a tenant believes conditions in their home rise to the level of a public nuisance, they may consider contacting their local health department or housing authority to request an inspection under this provision. Tenant-rights organizations can also help residents understand what documentation to gather and what local complaint or enforcement processes may be available.
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.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation