Official Site of the City of Grand Rapids, Michigan

The Kent County Health Department has lead-testing kits available, and the Health Department may do follow up testing also. The City of Grand Rapids does not provide any type of lead paint testing; however, if a rental dwelling is found to test positive at a higher level, Code Compliance should be contacted to ensure the lead problem is safely remedied.

I see black mold in my dwelling; how can I tell if it is harmful?

The City of Grand Rapids and the Kent County Health Department do NOT have testing facilities for mold.  You will need to contact a private contractor to have testing done for molds.  If your dwelling does test positive for the dangerous black mold, you will want to re-contact us for more information on options available to you.

What are the requirements for a Certificate of Compliance?

Some of the basic requirements for a Certificate of Compliance can be found?here.

Who can give me information about the Grand Rapids Zoning Ordinance?

Although the Code Compliance Division investigates many zoning related complaints, specific questions about the Zoning Ordinance should be directed to the?Planning Department, by phone at (616) 456-3159, by fax at (616) 456-4546, or by email at?planning@grcity.us.

Code Compliance Division also does the primary enforcement of zoning complaints.  To file a complaint, contact (616) 456-3053, M-F, 8:30-11 a.m. and 1-3:30 p.m.

What should I know about owning rental property?

All rental properties are required to be registered as such with the Housing Inspection office. Registration is completion and submission of a form to our office. Rental properties with more than one rental unit are required to be certified every two or three years. Certification is a complete inspection of the property (inside and outside).  Property owners are responsible to request a Certificate of Compliance inspection prior to expiration.? Review the Certificate of Compliance basic requirements and Housing Code to learn more about the maintenance requirements. If you are considering purchasing a property with more than one rental unit for rental purposes, verify with the Zoning Administration office whether the property is legal for that type of use.  The Housing Inspection Office has files organized by property address available for your review during office hours (Monday to Friday, 7AM to 5PM). Our files include the history of enforcement actions, Certificate of Compliance and current enforcement actions, if any.

Who handles abandoned vehicles?

Complaints regarding abandoned vehicles may be handled by Housing Inspectors from the Neighborhood Improvement or by police officers from the Grand Rapids Police Department, depending on the condition and location of the vehicle. Specific information about disabled and unused vehicles can be found here.

An easy way to report an abandoned vehicle is to do so online through the Public Inquiry web page.

Who has information about smoke detector requirements?

Specific information such as the type, location of, and inspection information for smoke detectors can be found in the Grand Rapids Fire Department's Smoke Alarm FAQ. Information for False Fire Alarms can be found in Chapter 172 of Title IX of the Grand Rapids City Code.

For residentially zoned districts, the general fence requirements can be found here. These codes are subject to setback and historic preservation guidelines as well, which can be explained by the Planning Department. For more specific questions, setback requirements, historic preservation guidelines, or questions regarding other districts, please contact the Planning Department, which can be reached by phone at (616) 456-3159, by fax at (616) 456-4546, or by email at planning@grcity.us.

Chapter 140 and 151 of the City Code requires an owner to keep a vacant building secure.  A building is considered to be secured if all exterior openings are weather-tight and secured in a manner to prevent unauthorized entry or damage from the elements.? Doorways or window openings where doors or windowpanes are broken, partially broken or missing must be properly covered.

The following procedures are acceptable:

1. An owner need not cover a locked door or window, which is in good repair and cannot be opened from the outside.
2. A window or door in good repair, which cannot be reached from the ground except by means of a ladder, is acceptable even if not locked or nailed shut if the windowpanes or door is intact and closed.
3. An owner may replace a windowpane or door instead of covering the opening with a board.
4. In covering a window or doorway the covering must be:
   • All exterior openings, which are to be secured, shall be completely covered from the outside and secured to prevent easy removal. Open ends, overlapping and holes in the required plywood sheathing are not permitted. No more than two (2) pieces of sheathing shall be used to board an opening; and no piece shall be smaller than 24 inches in width or length. All such pieces shall be flush with one another.
   • All sheathing shall be exterior grade plywood at least three-eighths (3/8) inch in thickness. Two (2) inch long, Phillips headed screws shall be used to secure sheathing on all first story or ground accessible openings. 16d common nails are permitted to secure sheathing on openings above ground floor that are not accessible.
   • Every effort should be made to utilize the door or window frame/casing when fastening screws or in the case of upper windows, nails, to ensure a stronghold and minimize damage to the structure.
   • Boarding shall be painted white, light to medium gray or a color that is similar to that of the boarded building. Shades of gray to be approved by the City staff. Paint shall be approved for exterior application.
   • In the case of doorknobs, or any part protruding from the openings or casing, plywood sheathing shall be cut around such areas to ensure a flush fit to the casings.
5. If you are being ordered to resecure a building for the second time in six months, to board ground floor or basement windows not previously boarded, you must now board all ground floor, basement door and all window openings regardless of their condition.
6. If you are being ordered to resecure a building for the second time in three months to board upper story openings not previously boarded, you must now board all upper story openings regardless of their condition.

Composting in the City of Grand Rapids is limited to yard wastes.  Composting of other organic wastes or materials such as food, garden produce or animal wastes is not permitted as it elevates the background rodent population.  Composting of yard wastes must comply with the following requirements:

1. Yard wastes must be contained in a composting barrel or composting bin.
2. A composting barrel or bin may be made of solid wood or metal or may be constructed of stakes wrapped with mesh.
3. A composting barrel or bin shall be constructed or maintained so as to prevent the contents from blowing about or falling to the ground outside the container.
4. The composting barrel or bin must be located in a rear yard and be at least three feet from a dwelling or property line.

Composted yard wastes are considered an item of value and are regulated by Section 8.577 of Chapter 140 of the City Code.  Any other organic wastes are considered to be garbage and must be removed from a property at least every seven days as required by Section 9.107 of Chapter 151 and Section 2.7 of Chapter 25 of the City Code.

A copy of this new ordinance can be found here.

For information on City-owned real estate, please call the Economic Development Office at (616) 456-3197.

For flood plain information, please call (616) 456-3078.

Other General Information:

Other General Information can be found on the Development Center website.

Any other questions or requests for clarification should be directed to either Housing Inspection at (616) 456-3053 or Building Inspection at (616) 456-4100, depending on the nature of the question. Email questions to codes@grcity.us.

Any other questions about the Zoning Ordinance should be directed to the Planning Department, which can be reached by phone at (616) 456-3159, by fax at (616) 456-4546, or by email at planning@grcity.us.