Changes to Ypsilanti, MI Vacant Property Registration (VPR) aimed to improve property standards

Ypsilanti, MI: To stem the tide of thousands of vacant properties left in the wake of floods, mold, fires, animal infestation, and criminal activity over the years, the township has instigated a proactive series of ordinance measures.

The new standards include requirements for registration for owners of prolonged vacant property as well as for any owners that move or have moved before a home placed on the market is sold; along with maintaining city code for home upkeep to help neighborhoods with recovery.

"The owner or the owner's agent shall certify by affidavit that all water, sewer, electrical, gas, HVAC, plumbing systems, roofing, structural systems, foundations, and drainage systems are sound, operational or properly disconnected," according the ordinance requirements.

A $100 fee is included in the annual registration and inspection planning, with fines running $200 for first day of delinquency of registration, $400 for the second day, and $600 for each subsequent day; making just five days of code delinquency a fine of $2,400. Unpaid fines can result in a lien against the property.