Residential Services 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.

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

Residential Services 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.

Residential Services also makes occupancy and re-occupancy inspections for all residential properties 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.

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