Alert: Why Code 8-15-105 (Rodent Harborage) is Detroit’s #1 Enforcement Priority
Category: Enforcement Alert
Reading Time: 5 Minutes
If you own rental property in Detroit, you likely fear the "High Grass" ticket. But our latest analysis of the Department of Appeals and Hearings (DAH) database reveals a new, more aggressive priority for 2025: Rodent Harborage (Code 8-15-105).
In the last 30 days alone, this single violation has outpaced nearly every other structural citation. If you have received a ticket with this code, or if you own property in Zip Codes 48206, 48214, or 48221, you need to understand exactly what this means. It is rarely just about "rats." It is about negligence.
The Ordinance: What is Code 8-15-105?
According to the 2019 Detroit City Code, Section 8-15-105 states:
"All buildings, premises, and structures and exterior property... shall be ratproofed and maintained in a ratproof condition and be kept free from rodent harborage and infestation."
The "Harborage" Trap
The most dangerous word in that ordinance is "Harborage."
Many investors mistakenly believe they can fight this ticket by saying, "I don't have rats. My tenant hasn't complained about rats."
That defense will fail.
BSEED Environmental Enforcement inspectors do not need to see a live rat to write this ticket. They only need to see conditions where a rat could live. This is a "Strict Liability" standard.
Common triggers include:
- Wood Piles: Lumber stacked directly on the ground (must be elevated 18 inches).
- Open Trash: A missing lid on a Courville container.
- Construction Debris: Drywall or siding left in a backyard after a rehab.
- Gaping Holes: Unsealed access points in a foundation or garage.
If an inspector sees a pile of leaves against a garage, that is "Harborage." You will be fined.
The Financial Impact: The "Double Jeopardy" Ticket
A Code 8-15-105 violation rarely travels alone. Inspectors are trained to "stack" citations to force compliance.
- The Base Fine: $100.00 + $30.00 Admin Fee = $130.00
- The Default Cost: If you miss the hearing, it jumps to $143.00.
However, because "Harborage" is usually caused by debris, you will almost always receive a companion ticket for Solid Waste (Code 42-2-97), which carries fines starting at $200.00.
Total Cost of Negligence: ~$350.00 per visit. Note: If they return next week and the pile is still there, they can ticket you again. We have seen portfolios bleed $1,500 in a single month from this exact cycle.
How to Fight Code 8-15-105
If you receive this ticket, you have two options: Pay or Fight.
1. The "Not Responsible" Defense To win at the DAH, you cannot simply argue. You need Evidence of Compliance.
- Photos: Take dated photos showing the debris has been removed.
- Exterminator Invoice: Upload a receipt from a licensed pest control company showing a baiting program is active.
- Structural Repair: Show close-ups of sealed foundation vents.
2. The "Remote Owner" Defense (Tenant Responsibility) If the "harborage" is caused by tenant belongings (e.g., a pile of tires or mattresses), you may be able to shift liability, but only if your lease explicitly assigns exterior maintenance to the tenant and you have a paper trail of warning them.
The Solution: Don't Wait for the Mail
The City sends these tickets via standard mail. If you are an out-of-state investor, or if you bought the property recently and didn't update your Property Transfer Affidavit (PTA), you will never see this ticket.
Detroit Compliance monitors the DAH docket daily. We detect Code 8-15-105 the moment it is issued.