The Building & Safety Department defines its mission by drawing upon long-held traditional community values. These values are grounded in uniform and consistent code enforcement, preserving neighborhoods and safeguarding public safety.

The Building & Safety Department is the primary agency for maintaining the appearance and condition of neighborhoods and business districts. The Building & Safety Department is also an advocate for Dearborn's residents by aiding property owners when interacting with building contractors and providing timely and accurate information.

The Building & Safety Department is concerned with the construction, maintenance, alteration and repair of all buildings and other structures located on private property, as well as having a role in the city's public projects.

Applications, plans, specifications, technical reports, soil analysis reports and other pertinent data are examined for compliance with all federal, state and local requirements before issuing permits for work. Inspections are made of all such work at appropriate times as necessitated by the type and complexity of the project.

Permit types include: awning, backflow prevention, building, concrete, deck/ramp, demolition, electrical, fence, garage/accessory structure, heating/ventilation/air conditioning, moving, parking lots, plumbing, porch, renovation, retaining wall, satellite dish, shed, soil erosion/soil boring, special use of land, swimming pool, temporary construction, tent and waterproof.

The Building & Safety Department also makes occupancy and re-occupancy inspections for all residential, commercial and industrial buildings to ensure safety and compliance of all appropriate codes and ordinances and issues Certificates of Occupancy when all requirements have been met.

This department is also responsible for the appearance of our neighborhoods. Routine inspections are made in both commercial districts and residential neighborhoods to manage nuisances, address complaints and enforce ordinance compliance.

Licenses are approved for issuance by this department for stationary engineers, boiler operators and refrigeration operators after suitable evidence of ability and reliability has been submitted and after written and oral examinations have been conducted.

The Divisions of the Department:

The Administration/Management Division oversees the operations of the entire department. This division deals with administrative and council relations, manages daily emergencies and develops and implements new administrative policies and procedures.

The COMMERCIAL INSPECTIONS DIVISION inspects all commercial property on a regular basis and ensures properties are in compliance with all codes and ordinances so that Certificates of Occupancy are kept current.

The NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES DIVISION is responsible for the appearance of our neighborhoods by managing nuisances. These employees are also responsible for addressing any neighbor complaint received in the department.

The PERMITS/PLANS DIVISION is responsible for the intake of all permit applications and the review of plans. These employees also issue permits after appropriate fees are paid.

The PERMIT INSPECTIONS DIVISION inspects all "open" permits to ensure work is being performed to code and to the specifications of the permit.

The PROPERTY ASSESSMENT DIVISION is charged with eliminating all neighborhood eyesores, either through rehabilitation or demolition.

RESIDENTIAL RENTAL DIVISION inspects all residential rental units on a regular basis and ensures properties are in compliance with all codes and ordinances so that Certificates of Occupancy are kept current.

The RESIDENTIAL SALES DIVISION inspects all homes when a change of ownership occurs, ensuring that properties are in compliance with all codes and ordinances so that Certificates of Occupancy can be issued.