Mich. Comp. Laws § § 125.493
Protection of basements and cellars.
Operative Text
Sec. 93. Protection of basement and cellars. Every multiple dwelling of class "b" having 20 or more sleeping rooms and exceeding 2 stories in height and having a basement or cellar, the floor above which is not of fireproof construction, shall have its basement or cellar ceiling protected with metal lath and 3/4 of an inch of portland cement or gypsum plaster, or the basement or cellar shall be protected with an approved automatic sprinkler system or an approved and self supervised and properly maintained automatic fire alarm system. The floor of the cellar or lowest floor of every dwelling shall be free from dampness, and, when necessary in the judgment of the health officer or such other appropriate public official as the mayor may designate, shall be concreted with not less than 3 inches of concrete of good quality and with a finished surface.
MCL § 125.493 establishes fire and moisture protection requirements for basements and cellars in larger multi-unit residential buildings. Specifically, class 'b' multiple dwellings with 20 or more sleeping rooms, more than two stories tall, and a non-fireproof floor above the basement must protect that basement or cellar ceiling with metal lath and plaster, or install an approved automatic sprinkler or self-supervised fire alarm system. Additionally, the lowest floor of every such dwelling must be kept free from dampness, and a local health officer or designated official may require it to be covered with at least three inches of quality concrete.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of class 'b' multiple dwellings subject to MCL § 125.493 generally ensure that basement or cellar ceilings meet the specified fire-resistance standards—either through metal lath with portland cement or gypsum plaster, or through an approved and properly maintained automatic sprinkler or fire alarm system. Compliant property managers also keep the lowest floor dry and are prepared to install concrete flooring of at least three inches if directed by the local health officer or another designated public official. Maintaining documentation of inspections, system approvals, and any remediation work is a common practice among operators seeking to demonstrate ongoing compliance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in large class 'b' multiple dwellings covered by MCL § 125.493 have an interest in knowing that their building's basement or cellar should meet specific fire-protection and moisture-control standards. If a basement ceiling lacks the required plaster or fire-suppression system, or if the lowest floor is persistently damp, these conditions may constitute violations that can be reported to the local health officer or another appropriate public official designated by the mayor. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid services can help residents understand what documentation to gather and what local complaint processes may be available under this provision.
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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