Planning & Zoning Permits, Applications, & Forms

View Site Plan & Development Documents & Forms

A Zoning Permit Application is required for:

• Fences 3.5 - 6 feet tall
• Sheds 100 - 200 square feet
  
  • Homeowners are allowed to have one (1) shed under 100 square feet without a zoning permit. The shed must meet accessory structure requirements and conditions. For more information, please visit Section 2103 of the Zoning Ordinance.
• Exterior concrete/asphalt
• Driveways
  • Please contact the Washtenaw County Road Commission (most roads in Ypsilanti Township), Michigan Department of Transportation (Ecorse Road, East Michigan Avenue, I-94, Washtenaw Avenue, and West Michigan south of I-94), or Wayne County Road Commission (sections of Rawsonville Road) regarding driveway approaches for separate permit. To determine which jurisdiction the road is, please visit the Washtenaw County Road Commission Map.
• Change of use of space
  An example of this would be changing a residence into an office, daycare, or assembly use. In this example there are some obvious differences in the possible dangers or liabilities that might take place that would be different from a residential use. Zoning would have to permit for the change in use. A new Certificate of Occupancy is required for any change of use. Inspectors of all trades must conduct inspections in compliance with current code for the new intended use before Certificate of Occupancy could be issued.

Please include the following with your zoning permit:

• The application is filled out in its entirety and includes the signature of the applicant and, if different than the applicant, the property owner.
• If work will be completed by the homeowner, a Homeowner Affidavit form is required along with the permit application. It is recommended that if a homeowner has a contractor doing the work, the contractor pulls the permit. This is a safeguard for the homeowner.
• Fees: Fee Schedule
• Plot plan or lot survey showing the following:
  
  

  The plot plan may be hand drawn, but must be to scale (i.e. one (1) inch equals twenty (20) feet). Certified property survey or mortgage survey are acceptable. The plot plan must include the following items:

  • All property lines and dimensions
  • Existing structures/fences/driveways and dimensions
  • Proposed structures/fences/driveways and dimensions
  • Easements and dimensions, if applicable

In addition to providing the items listed for your zoning permit, please include the following with your fence application:

• Smooth side of fence must face out – unless shadow box fence
• Height of fence
• Fence material and type of fence
• Detailed sketch of fence (to scale).
• Yes or no box checked on question “Will the fence be installed on property line?”
  • If yes, a certified property survey OR written, notarized consent form from adjacent neighbors.

In addition to providing the items listed for your zoning permit, please include the following with your driveway/exterior surface application:

• The material of the proposed surface

In addition to providing the items listed for your zoning permit, please include the following with your shed application (100 to 200 square feet):

• Dimensions of shed
• Square footage of shed
• Distances between shed and all buildings on the parcel
• Distances from each wall of the shed to the nearest property line
• Materials to be stored in shed

Other Permits, Applications, & Forms:

Private Road Application
This application is to build a private road.

Class A Nonconforming Application
This application is to have a property classified as a Class A designation.

Ordinance Text Amendment Application
This application is to propose an ordinance text amendment.

Group Daycare Special Land Use/Use Subject to Special Conditions Application
This application is to apply for a group daycare special land use/use subject to special conditions.

Smoking Lounge License Application
This application is required for all smoking lounges in Ypsilanti Township.

Junk Yard Permit Application
This permit application is required for all junk yards in Ypsilanti Township.

Collection Box Permit Application
This permit application is required for all collection boxes in Ypsilanti Township. 

Approved collection boxes:
215 Ecorse Road - Midwest Recycling #0513
315 S. Ford Blvd - Zaman International #0501
1701 E. Michigan Ave - Midwest Recycling #0508
1816 Whittaker Rd - Planet Aid #0517
2040 Whittaker Rd - Planet Aid #0518
2900 Washtenaw Ave - Planet Aid #0502
10131 Textile - Golden Recyclers #0519
1005 E. Michigan Avenue - Golden Recyclers #0505
1526 Holmes - Golden Recyclers #0506 and #0507

Zoning Verification Letter Application
This application is to request a zoning verification letter for a property.
Fee: $50

Ordinance Permits, Applications, & Forms

Rental Property Certification

Notice to Landlords & Rental Agents:

There are several requirements that affect owners and agents of single family and duplex rental properties in Ypsilanti Township. Please take a few minutes to review this information so that you will be prepared to successfully meet program requirements. Our staff is available to answer questions about these or any other topics of concern to you.

Insurance Requirement
Changes in the Property Maintenance Code
HVAC Clean & Check Requirement & Form
Rental Violation Notices from the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office
Designating an Agent to Represent You
Eviction or Move-Out “Piles” at the Curb
Keeping the Grass Cut below 7” & Avoiding Unnecessary Fees
New Vacant House Ordinance
Medical Marijuana Caregiver Home Occupation Prohibited

Read the Full Notice 

Registration & Inspection Required
Single family and duplex homes and all multiple family units that are rented or available for rent must be registered, inspected and certified by the Office of Community Standards. No home may be leased unless it has been registered and certified as being code compliant. A tenant may request a copy of the Certificate of Compliance for a home they rent.

How Long is a Certificate Valid?
Homes are certified once every two years. The Certificate of Compliance may be suspended or revoked during the two year period if serious code violations are discovered as a result of complaint investigation or police intervention.

Rental Violation Notice
The Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office notifies landlords upon discovery of criminal activity and behavioral issues that violate federal housing rules. Such incidents usually constitute a lease violation and landlords are expected to act upon notification of lease violations. Incidents that violate rules of the MSHDA Housing Choice Voucher Program (commonly known as "Section 8") are reported to the issuing housing agency for enforcement. 

Codes - What Does the Inspector Look For?

Housing Inspection Checklist
This is a comprehensive listing of what the inspectors look for during a rental inspection.

Housing Inspection Procedures for Landlords
This is the policy and procedures manual used by our housing inspectors and offered for review by landlords and tenants to foster a positive working relationship. It helps explain what we do and why we do it.

The Rental Housing Program uses the 2012 International Property Maintenance Code with certain changes customized for our community. The basic code is published by the International Code Council and may be viewed online at its website: 2012 International Property Maintenance Code.

Custom code changes adopted by Ypsilanti Township are also available online at Municode.

Effective on August 1, 2013, the Township adopted the 2012 International Property Maintenance Code which contained a few substantial changes that will affect landlords.
Substantial Code Changes

Proof of Insurance Required

Effective January 29, 2014, landlords are required to maintain property insurance coverage against structural loss or damage including, but not limited to, fire damage. Proof of insurance must be submitted for new rental certificates and bi-annual renewal certificates, and upon request at any time.

Rental Certification Ordinance
This is the ordinance that governs the rental certification program.

Rental Property Registration Form
This form is completed by a landlord and/or a rental agent when a property is registered as a rental unit. Registration is valid for the life of property ownership. IMPORTANT NOTE: If a landlord chooses to designate an agent to manage a property, the Township will send ALL official correspondence to the agent. This includes scheduling letters, inspection results and invoices. As the property owner, landlords are ultimately responsible for code compliance and for the performance of their agent. Caution is advised if a landlord designates the tenant to act as their agent due to the potential conflict such an arrangement may create when important information is not conveyed in a timely manner.

Rental Exemption Affidavit Form
An exemption from the Rental Certification Program may be granted for property owners who permit a third party non-owner to live in their house for free. This usually involves helping children get started. The owner must not receive any form of compensation in exchange for use of the home. The affidavit must be notarized and is considered to be a legally binding representation of fact. Submitting a fraudulent affidavit may subject an owner to prosecution and penalty fees.

Property Inspection Request Form
A tenant experiencing problems getting the landlord to correct code violations can submit this form as a request to inspect the property. You must provide proof of residency at the location (driver's license, voter registration or utility bills) and proof that you submitted your grievances in writing to your landlord and received no satisfactory response. There is no fee for this type of inspection, however if code violations are discovered the landlord will pay a re-inspection fee to confirm that repairs were made.

HVAC Certification Form
Landlords shall have a licensed mechanical contractor submit the attached form every other inspection cycle, (every four years). This form should be submitted at time of initial inspection.

Fees & Contacts

Rental Inspection Fee Schedule
This is the fee schedule for various activities associated with the Rental Property Certification Program. Fees are approved by the Board of Trustees and may only be modified or waived by the Director of Community Standards for good cause.

Contact Rental & Vacant Property Certification: (734) 485 - 3943

Vacant Housing Certification

Registration & Inspection Required

Single family and duplex houses that remain unoccupied more than 30 days are required to be registered and inspected by the Office of Community Standards. The purpose of this law is to prevent the deterioration of Township neighborhoods by regulating vacant abandoned and foreclosed single family and duplex properties to insure that such properties are in compliance with all applicable state law and Township Code requirements including the Township property maintenance code.

Ordinance #2014-8 became effective on April 10, 2014 and applications for certification are currently being accepted. Read the full text of the ordinance for complete details.

Absent or Uncooperative Property Owner - Administrative Search Warrant to Inspect

The Office of Community Standards makes every effort to identify and contact the owners of vacant houses in order to achieve voluntary compliance with this ordinance. OCS sends a letter to the official address of record for the property owner and also uses other investigative resources in an effort to locate absentee owners.
In some cases when the owner of a vacant house is uncooperative or cannot be located, the Office of Community Standards will apply to the 14-B District Court for an administrative search warrant to inspect the house as a last resort.

In order to obtain an administrative search warrant, the Ordinance Officer must establish probable cause that:

the subject house has been vacant for more than 30 days and is subject to enforcement pursuant to this ordinance, and
the property owner has refused to register the property or has refused to consent to an inspection, or
the property owner has not responded to enforcement letters sent to the address of record and otherwise cannot be located.

Administrative search warrant affidavits are first reviewed by the Township attorney and then presented to a judge or magistrate for authorization. Once authorized by the court, the warrant is served usually within 24 hours. If a house must be forcibly entered, the door is secured with a padlock to prevent unauthorized entry. A copy of the authorized search warrant is left inside the premises for the owner.

Code Violations
If code violations are found during the inspection, the property owner is served with a Notice of Violation. Life/safety violations and exterior blight must be addressed immediately to prevent further deterioration of the house and the neighborhood. Lesser violations may be corrected at a later time prior to the house being reoccupied.
In some extreme cases, a house may be condemned and the certificate of occupancy revoked. When this occurs, the Township attorney will record an affidavit with the county Register of Deeds to place any prospective buyer on notice about code violations. If purchased, the new owner accepts responsibility to make repairs.

Certification Application Form
This form is completed and submitted by the property owner and/or agent responsible for maintaining the property.

*Utility Services
Please note that the application is a two part form that includes a notarized affidavit about the condition of utility service. Water, sewer, gas and electric service must remain operable or be properly disconnected. Homes with a basement sump pump system for storm water management must remain operable to prevent water and mold damage. 

The Vacant Residential Property program uses the 2012 International Property Maintenance Code with certain changes customized for our community. The basic code is published by the International Code Council and may be viewed online at its website: 2012 International Property Maintenance Code. 

Custom code changes adopted by Ypsilanti Township are also available online at Municode.

Vacant Residential Property FAQ

Fees & Contacts
Vacant Residential Property Fee Schedule
This is the fee schedule for various activities associated with the Vacant Residential Property program. 

Contact Vacant Housing Certification: (734) 485 - 3943

Multi-Family Rental Registration

Whereas, the Charter Township of Ypsilanti adopted Ordinance No. 2016-464 expanding the rental inspection requirement to include multi-family residential units that are subject to rental agreements, which became effective on September 29, 2016; and
Whereas, the rental inspection ordinance provides that the fees to be charged in the administration of the ordinance shall be established by a resolution of the Township Board; and
Whereas, the fee schedule is being established to offset the Township’s cost of registration, inspection and recordkeeping.
Now Therefore, Be it resolved, that the Charter Township of Ypsilanti hereby adopts the following inspection fee schedule effective on October 13, 2016 as follows: Resolution No. 2016-52 

Multi-Family Rental Property Registration Form
To register a multiple-family residential rental property.

Multi-Family Rental Property Registration Form Building/Apartment List
To register all buildings on the property - use as many pages as necessary.