Building Permits, Applications, & Forms
Address Assignment Request
Required, along with requested items, for a new address in the Township. This form is for a single address up to a new subdivision or commercial development.
Building Permit & Plans Examination or Signs Application
For any work to be done on your house, building new structures (commercial or residential), or for signs.
Building Permit Revision Form
This application is necessary when making changes to previously submitted or approved plans and should accompany the revised plan (s).
Change of Use Form
This application is necessary when a change is made to the previously approved building use.
Construction Board of Appeals Application
Application to go before the Construction Board of Appeals.
Contractor Registration
Required to be filled out by new contractors or ones that have had their license expire. New contractors who have never registered before are required to do so in person the first time. A copy of the license and driver's license is also required. Verify a Contractor's License
Drainage Complaint Form
Required for individuals that have a problem with the drainage on their property.
Electrical Permit
Required for any electrical work being performed. This includes air conditioners.
Fire Alarm Permit Application
Required for fire alarm systems for residential, commercial, and industrial structures.
Fire Suppression Permit Application
Required for fire suppression including sprinkler heads and kitchen hood systems.
Homeowner's Affidavit
Required along with the permit application if the homeowner is doing the work themselves. 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.
Mechanical Permit
Required for any mechanical work. This includes furnace and air conditioner replacement or installation.
Permission from Adjoining Property Owners
This application is necessary when an installation is being made along an adjourning property line (chain link fence, privacy fence, etc.)
Plumbing Permit
Required for any plumbing work performed. This includes hot water heater replacements.
Zoning Board of Appeals Application
This application is required for individuals wishing to go before the Zoning Board of Appeals. The application, building permit application and a letter explaining reason for request are all required at time of application.
Zoning Permit
Permit for fences, concrete/drives, sheds over 100 square feet.
Ordinance Permits, Applications, & Forms
Business Registration Form
New businesses are required to register and undergo zoning verification and building/fire safety inspections. A business registration certificate granted under this article shall be valid until the business establishment is transferred or sold to a new owner or if the business expands its use to include uses not listed in the original application.
Dog License Application
Smoking Lounge Application
This application is necessary for smoking lounge businesses.
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.
