Bulk Storage & Fugitive Dust

The City of Dearborn now mandates some of the strictest guidelines in the state of Michigan for the proper storage of industrial materials that most commonly produce hazardous fugitive dust. The goal is to minimize fugitive dust and debris from these facilities. The Dearborn City Council unanimously voted in support of an amendment to the City’s bulk storage ordinance brought forward by Mayor Abdullah H. Hammoud. The ordinance went into effect on July 31, 2024.

Bulk Storage Ordinance Fact Sheet

Bulk Storage Ordinance

The City’s bulk storage ordinance regulates any facility that stores, handles, loads, unloads, stockpiles, or processes bulk solid materials (ordinance defined). The goal of this ordinance is to minimize fugitive dust and debris from these facilities. These facilities must:

-Apply annually for a Certificate of Operation
-Adhere to site standards and operating plans for dust control and material storage and handling.
-Install air quality monitors and provide quarterly reports to the City.

The main focus points of this ordinance are to provide the following:

-Limitations on the height and placement of material piles.
-Minimum standards for screening and dust control.
-Monitoring and reporting requirements.

Bulk Storage Ordinance

Bulk Storage Business Requirements

Dearborn's Economic Development Department administers the annual certification of affected facilities and ordinance enforcement. Any business that stores any defined bulk material is required to submit an annual application for operation.

Properties that are applying for a Bulk Storage Certificate of Operation, and are submitting a new fugitive dust plan or require a variance, will be posted for public comment.