Rules by state
Michigan
Michigan does not use one statewide resale-inspection model: I found city-specific point-of-sale or resale Certificate of Occupancy/compliance rules (for example, Dearborn, Southgate, Monroe), a county time-of-sale well/septic program in Washtenaw County, and at least one city saying no resale inspection or post-sale C/O is required (Bloomfield Hills). ([dearborn.gov](https://dearborn.gov/residents/home-property/selling-or-buying-home?utm_source=openai)) State construction-code occupancy approvals are handled by the applicable enforcing agency for that jurisdiction, so Michigan residents should check both the local building department and, for private well/septic properties, the county health department; in the official sources I reviewed, sewer-lateral-at-sale rules appeared local rather than statewide. ([michigan.gov](https://www.michigan.gov/lara/-/media/Project/Websites/lara/bcc-media/ASD/StatewideJurisdictionList.pdf?hash=F827615DC60F0EF558FC62A3AC5647F5&rev=7c5f311dc720481d80ab61c4be5f5f64&utm_source=openai))
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- State law
- Michigan home-rule cities may pass ordinances on municipal concerns subject to the constitution and general laws, and the State Construction Code Act assigns inspections and certificates of use/occupancy to the applicable enforcing agency; I did not find a single statewide statute creating one uniform residential resale-inspection requirement. ([legislature.mi.gov](https://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/historical/miconstitution1908.htm?utm_source=openai))
Official resources in Michigan
Use this to identify whether your city, village, township, county, or the state handles construction-code permits, inspections, and occupancy matters.
For Washtenaw County homes with onsite well/septic systems, this page links the regulation, certified inspectors, records search, and fee schedule.
Dearborn residents use this page to start the residential pre-sale inspection process and understand its Certificate of Occupancy requirements.
This FAQ confirms Bloomfield Hills does not require a resale inspection or post-sale Certificate of Occupancy for a home purchase.
Monroe's ordinance explains its certificate-of-compliance requirement, private-inspector option, and conditional approval/escrow provisions.
Key facts for Michigan
- Washtenaw County requires inspection/evaluation of onsite well and septic systems before transfer unless certification was completed within the prior 12 months; county authorization is required before sale. ([mi-washtenawcounty2.civicplus.pro](https://mi-washtenawcounty2.civicplus.pro/asset/eabd5b16-17b6-48dd-b3ab-fd486b9c3215))
- Dearborn requires a pre-sale house inspection and a Certificate of Occupancy before closing; without approval, the buyer may sign a compliance agreement based on an inspection less than 12 months old. ([dearborn.gov](https://dearborn.gov/residents/home-property/selling-or-buying-home?utm_source=openai))
- Southgate requires an inspection report or Certificate of Occupancy issued within six months before sale; a preoccupancy agreement can be used for closing, but it does not allow occupancy. ([codelibrary.amlegal.com](https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/southgatemi/latest/southgate_mi/0-0-0-40236))
- Monroe requires a certificate of compliance for residential transfers, but a certificate issued within the previous three years may be reused for one later transfer. ([ecode360.com](https://ecode360.com/30405918?searchId=7633508106987130))
- Monroe also allows conditional approval when repairs cannot be finished before sale, with a written buyer/seller responsibility agreement and possible cash deposit, escrow, or surety bond. ([ecode360.com](https://ecode360.com/30405928))
- Bloomfield Hills says it does not require a home-sale inspection and does not require a Certificate of Occupancy after a home sale; its C/O is for post-construction occupancy. ([bloomfieldhills.gov](https://www.bloomfieldhills.gov/422/Purchasing-a-New-Home))
Cities with sale-triggered rules in Michigan
| City | program | type | fee | valid | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allen Park Wayne | Point-of-sale inspection / Certificate of Occupancy | interior+exterior | — | inspection report or certificate must be issued within 6 months before sale | If sold without a certificate, the purchaser must sign a preoccupancy agreement and may not occupy the premises until approved. |
| Dearborn Wayne | Residential home sales inspection / Certificate of Occupancy | interior+exterior | — | inspection report valid 1 year | A Certificate of Occupancy must be obtained prior to closing, and the buyer can instead use a compliance agreement for an as-is sale. |
| Ecorse Wayne | Inspection of residential dwellings prior to sale or transfer / Certificate of Compliance | interior+exterior | — | 1 year from date of issue | The code states it is unlawful to transfer a dwelling without a current certificate of compliance, and if transfer occurs without one the buyer becomes responsible to obtain it. |
| Lincoln Park Wayne | Resale Inspection / Certificate of Approval | exterior only | $150 | 1 year from original inspection date; one sale or transfer | If violations are not finished before closing, the purchaser may sign an as-is affidavit and assume responsibility for them. |
| Southgate Wayne | Home sales exterior inspection / Certificate of Compliance | exterior only | $200 initial inspection; $60 additional inspections | one sale or transfer | The buyer may assume repairs only by signing an affidavit and placing $1,000 in escrow before closing. |
| Wayne Wayne | For Sale Inspection / Certificate of Compliance | interior+exterior | $300 single-family; $350 duplex; $350 first 2 apartment units plus $70 each additional unit | 3 years from original issue date | An interim certificate can be issued if safety items are complete and the buyer signs an agreement to finish maintenance items. |
What to do next
- First, check the LARA Statewide Jurisdiction List to see who enforces construction codes where the property sits, then contact that building department about resale, occupancy, or transfer requirements. ([michigan.gov](https://www.michigan.gov/lara/-/media/Project/Websites/lara/bcc-media/ASD/StatewideJurisdictionList.pdf?hash=F827615DC60F0EF558FC62A3AC5647F5&rev=7c5f311dc720481d80ab61c4be5f5f64&utm_source=openai))
- If the property uses a private well or septic system, also check the county health department early; in Washtenaw County, time-of-sale well/septic review is a separate transfer requirement. ([washtenaw.org](https://www.washtenaw.org/environmental-health-inspections-permits?contentId=87ec2631-944b-46aa-8cb9-6a22ba037f42))
- If repairs will not be done before closing, ask whether your local program allows buyer assumption, conditional approval, or escrow/bonding; Dearborn, Southgate, and Monroe each provide some version of that locally. ([codelibrary.amlegal.com](https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/dearborn/latest/dearborn_mi/0-0-0-6992))
Helpful guides
- What is a point-of-sale inspection?
- Point-of-sale inspection vs. a buyer's home inspection
- Minnesota Truth-in-Sale-of-Housing (TISH) evaluations explained
- Ohio point-of-sale inspections: how the Cleveland-area programs work