Dearborn sets new rules for abating property maintenance issues

Published March 24, 2025

This spring, as it has for several years, the City of Dearborn will post a notice to abate property issues such as tall grass, weeds, and property repair and cleanliness violations, with a reasonable time frame for the property owner to take care of the issue. 

However, unlike previous years, starting April 1, newly adopted rules on the abatement of property issues will now require the property owner or occupant to contact the City via email, phone, or through a QR Code and form link provided in the notice of abatement, to send a photo or other proof that the issue has been resolved in a timely manner.

Failure to resolve the issue or turn in this proof before the deadline will result in a service charge of 50 percent of the abatement cost to the City, not exceeding $1000. This charge will help cover administrative costs associated with mobilizing contractors or staff to abate the issue.

Renault Arseneau, Dearborn Code Compliance Manager, stated, “We want to ensure responsible property owners have a convenient method to inform the City once they resolve issues in a timely manner. The new service charge is designed to deter negligent property owners and to help the City avoid waste from unnecessarily deploying a team or contractors to the property.”

As in previous years, the City will also issue a notice of violation and immediately act to abate the issue without further notice when the same violation is observed multiple times at a property.

More information about the City of Dearborn’s Property Maintenance Guidelines is available at Dearborn.gov. Ordinance violations can be reported at 313-943-2150. 

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