Wayne · Oakland · Macomb · 119 municipalities · 70 verified
Which Metro Detroit cities require a certificate of occupancy to sell?
Some communities will not let a residential sale close until the city has inspected the house and issued a certificate of occupancy (the "C of O", also called a point-of-sale or pre-sale inspection). Others only inspect vacant or foreclosed homes. Many require nothing. The rule is set town by town, and this is the only list that shows, for each one, the city page it was read from and the day it was read.
22
Require a C of O to sell
34
Limited cases only
14
Not required
49
No published rule: call
Every municipality
| Municipality | County | C of O to sell? | When it applies | Fee | Building dept. | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Armada Township | Macomb | Call to confirm | No published rule found; ask the Building Department | — | (586) 784-5200 | not verified |
| Bruce Township | Macomb | Call to confirm | No published rule found; ask the Building Department | — | 586-752-4585 | not verified |
| Center Line | Macomb | Call to confirm | No published rule found; ask the Building Department | — | 586-757-6800 | not verified |
| Chesterfield Township | Macomb | Call to confirm | No published rule found; ask the Building & Code Enforcement | — | 586-949-0400 | not verified |
| Clinton Township | Macomb | Call to confirm | No published rule found; ask the Building Department | — | 586-286-9323 | not verified |
| Eastpointe | Macomb | Limited cases | Rentals must be certified before tenants occupy (certificate may transfer to a new owner who registers within 14 days of purchase), and registered vacant structures need a certificate of compliance before re-occupancy; official pages show no pre-sale inspection for an ordinary owner-occupied resale. | — | 586-445-3661 opt 2 (Building Official John Meyers 586-204-3022) | October 27, 2026 |
| Fraser | Macomb | Call to confirm | No published rule found; ask the Building, Zoning & Code Enforcement | — | 586-293-3100 | not verified |
| Grosse Pointe Shores Village | Macomb | Call to confirm | No published rule found; ask the Building Department | — | (313) 881-6565 | not verified |
| Harrison Township | Macomb | Call to confirm | No published rule found; ask the Building Department | — | 586-466-1430 | not verified |
| Lenox Township | Macomb | Limited cases | Vacant/abandoned buildings only: owner must register, obtain a Safety and Maintenance Inspection, and a vacant building may not be re-occupied until the Building Official issues a certificate of occupancy; no inspection trigger on an ordinary owner-occupied sale. | Set by Township Board resolution (not stated in ordinance); $200 fine for first failure to inspect/register | 586-727-2085 (Kurt Sengstock, Building Official, ext. 123; Kimberly Grewe, Manager, ext. 111) | October 27, 2026 |
| Macomb Township | Macomb | Limited cases | Registered vacant properties require a $300 safety and maintenance inspection and a Certificate of Re-Occupancy before anyone may occupy; whether an ordinary occupied resale triggers the re-occupancy certificate is not stated on the site. | $300 safety and maintenance inspection (vacant property registration, form rev. 7/1/2026) | (586) 992-0710 x1 | October 27, 2026 |
| Memphis | Macomb | Call to confirm | No published rule found; ask the Building Department | — | 810-392-2385 | not verified |
| Mount Clemens | Macomb | Limited cases | Residential buildings vacant 30+ days must be registered and need a Certificate of Occupancy before re-occupancy; commercial buildings also need one on change of ownership/use; no inspection stated for an occupied residential resale. | $200 single-family/two-family; $300 three or more units; $300 commercial (re-inspection, permit and rental fees separate) | 586-469-6800 ext 913 (Taylor Stacey, Code Enforcement Administrator) | October 27, 2026 |
| New Baltimore | Macomb | Call to confirm | No published rule found; ask the City of New Baltimore Building Department | — | 586-725-2151 ext. 116 (Building Inspections); ext. 113 (Code Enforcement) | not verified |
| Ray Township | Macomb | Call to confirm | No published rule found; ask the Building Department | — | 586-749-5171 | not verified |
| Richmond | Macomb | Call to confirm | No published rule found; ask the Building Inspections | — | 586-727-7571 | not verified |
| Richmond Township | Macomb | Call to confirm | No published rule found; ask the Building | — | 586-727-8998 | not verified |
| Roseville | Macomb | Limited cases | Non-owner-occupied (rental) housing needs a Certificate of Compliance (valid 3 years, must be transferred to a new owner within 10 days of sale); vacant properties must be registered ($300) under Ch. 225; no inspection stated for an ordinary owner-occupied resale. | Rental registration/transfer fees per Ch. 133 (amount not stated); vacant property registration $300, $30 reinspection | 586-445-5450 | October 27, 2026 |
| Saint Clair Shores | Macomb | Limited cases | Registered vacant/foreclosed properties (vacant over one year with utilities shut off) need a $150 building inspection before a new owner takes occupancy; rentals must be registered; no inspection stated for an ordinary resale. | $150 vacant/foreclosed registration; $150 building inspection; commercial C of O application $400 | 586-447-3340 | October 27, 2026 |
| Shelby Township | Macomb | Limited cases | Certificate of Zoning Compliance with $75 inspection required for business/commercial occupancy changes (new tenant, change of use, change of ownership); no residential resale inspection program found. | $75 per inspection; $75 certificate fee | 586-731-5969 | October 27, 2026 |
| Sterling Heights | Macomb | Limited cases | Certificate of Occupancy required only for businesses (change of ownership, change of use, or moving into the city); a residential 'special inspection' is available on application but is not stated to be required for a sale. | Residential special inspection fees listed as $64 / $124 / $320 / $620 (tiers not labeled on page) | 586-446-2360 | October 27, 2026 |
| Utica | Macomb | Limited cases | Rentals only: all non-owner-occupied dwellings need a landlord license (renewed by June 30) with a Building Inspector inspection; a Change of Occupancy/Use application exists for commercial uses; no inspection on owner-occupied resale. | $150 first rental unit; $60 each additional unit (effective 1/1/2024) | 586-739-1600 ext. 107 | October 27, 2026 |
| Warren | Macomb | Limited cases | Only a vacant residential dwelling posted 'no occupancy' needs a Residential City Certification inspection before it may be occupied; vacant/abandoned/foreclosed homes must also be registered; no inspection tied to an ordinary sale. | $300 City Certification inspection (residential); $80 re-inspection; vacant property registration $200 initial / $125 renewal | 586-574-4504 | October 27, 2026 |
| Washington Township | Macomb | Call to confirm | No published rule found; ask the Building Dept & Code Enforcement | — | 586-786-0018 | not verified |
| Addison Township | Oakland | Call to confirm | No published rule found; ask the Building Department | — | 248-628-5409 (township hall, 1440 Rochester Rd, Leonard) | not verified |
| Auburn Hills | Oakland | Not required | Certificate of Occupancy is issued only on completion of permitted construction; no pre-sale/resale inspection or fee exists (separate vacant-home and rental-home registration programs apply). | No resale/pre-sale fee listed; 2026 fee schedule: Vacant Residential Home Registration $200; Rental Home Registration $200; Staff Inspection for Vacant Home or Rental Home Registration $155; Tenant Occupancy Inspection (commercial) $57 | 248-364-6900 (inspection line 248-364-6949) | October 27, 2026 |
| Berkley | Oakland | Limited cases | Vacant residential/commercial buildings must be registered ($200) and are subject to Building Official inspection; a purchaser of a vacant property with listed violations signs a repair affidavit; no inspection stated for an ordinary occupied resale. | $200 vacant property registration | 248-658-3320 | October 27, 2026 |
| Birmingham | Oakland | Call to confirm | No published rule found; ask the Building Department | — | 248-530-1850 | not verified |
| Bloomfield Hills | Oakland | Not required | No city inspection or Certificate of Occupancy on the sale of a home; C of O only for occupancy after construction. | — | 248-644-1520 | October 27, 2026 |
| Bloomfield Township | Oakland | Not required | Certificate of Occupancy is tied to permitted work (new construction/additions; temporary C of O once all permits have at least a partial final) and to commercial change of occupancy for new tenants; no sale/transfer trigger is stated for residential. | $25 Temporary C of O request fee (plus bond set by Building Official); other fees per Building Division forms page | 248-433-7715 | October 27, 2026 |
| Brandon Township | Oakland | Call to confirm | No published rule found; ask the Planning & Building Department | — | 248-627-4916 | not verified |
| Clarkston | Oakland | Call to confirm | No published rule found; ask the Building Department (administered through the Independence Township Building Department) (building handled by Independence Township Building Department) | — | 248-625-8111 (Independence Twp Building); 248-625-1559 (City) | not verified |
| Clawson | Oakland | Limited cases | Certificate of Occupancy required for commercial property, new home construction, and vacant/abandoned property; no requirement stated for an ordinary occupied residential resale. | — | 248-435-4500 ext. 121 | October 27, 2026 |
| Commerce Township | Oakland | Not required | Certificate of Occupancy is triggered by new construction, alteration, or change of use under the zoning ordinance; no sale, transfer or re-occupancy trigger for existing dwellings. | — | 248-624-0110 | October 27, 2026 |
| Farmington | Oakland | Limited cases | Rentals (new owner of a sold rental must register within 30 days and obtain a certificate of compliance before occupancy), vacant properties (register within 30 days of vacancy), and foreclosure transfers to a mortgagee or by deed in lieu; not ordinary owner-occupied resales. | Set by City Council resolution (not in ordinance); late-registration and delinquent-inspection penalties apply | 248-473-7250 | October 27, 2026 |
| Farmington Hills | Oakland | Limited cases | Rental single-family dwellings only (Rental Certificate of Compliance; owner must notify the department of changes within 30 days); no sale/transfer inspection found. | $140 rental registration (+3% if paid by card) | 248-871-2545 | October 27, 2026 |
| Fenton | Oakland | Limited cases | Rental properties only (Rental Inspection Program with furnace report prerequisite); no pre-sale, resale or re-occupancy inspection appears in the fee schedule or building pages. | Rental Inspection Program fees listed (landlord registration ~$30 per landlord; per-unit inspection amounts $75-$90 shown but not clearly paired); no resale inspection fee | 810-629-2261 | October 27, 2026 |
| Ferndale | Oakland | Limited cases | Certificate of Occupancy inspection request is a business/commercial form; rentals must be registered and inspected; no residential resale inspection found on city pages. | — | 248-546-2366 | October 27, 2026 |
| Groveland Township | Oakland | Call to confirm | No published rule found; ask the Groveland Township Building Department | — | 248-634-4152 | not verified |
| Hazel Park | Oakland | Limited cases | Rental (landlord-licensed) properties only, inspected every other year; vacant/abandoned structures must be registered; no inspection or certificate on an ordinary owner-occupied resale. | Landlord license fees from City Clerk (not listed); building re-inspection $75 per trip | 248-546-4075 (Building); 248-546-4064 (City Clerk, landlord licenses) | October 27, 2026 |
| Highland Township | Oakland | Not required | Certificate of Occupancy is issued for new construction after final inspections; no resale or transfer trigger in the township building booklet. | — | (248) 887-3791 ext. 8 | October 27, 2026 |
| Holly Township | Oakland | Call to confirm | No published rule found; ask the Building Department | — | 248-634-9331 ext. 301 | not verified |
| Huntington Woods | Oakland | Limited cases | Rental properties (landlord license with inspection) and registered vacant/abandoned buildings only; the fee schedule has no pre-sale or resale inspection line. | Certificate of Occupancy (original) $45; Landlord license processing & inspection $125; Vacant/Abandoned building registration $125; Vacant/Abandoned building owner requested inspection $45 | 248-541-4300 | October 27, 2026 |
| Independence Township | Oakland | Call to confirm | No published rule found; ask the Building, Planning & Zoning | — | 248-625-5111 | not verified |
| Keego Harbor | Oakland | Limited cases | No inspection or C of O trigger on an ordinary resale found; vacant residential properties must be registered under Ch. 8 Art. IX ($65/yr incl. one inspection) and rental units need a Certificate of Compliance before occupancy. | $65 vacant property registration (includes one inspection); $65 renewal; $65 re-inspection | (248) 682-1930 ext. 3 | October 27, 2026 |
| Lake Angelus | Oakland | Call to confirm | No published rule found; ask the Building Department (McKenna) (building handled by McKenna (contract building/zoning administration)) | — | (248) 596-0920 | not verified |
| Lathrup Village | Oakland | Call to confirm | No published rule found; ask the Building Department | — | (248) 557-2600 ext. 237 | not verified |
| Lyon Township | Oakland | Call to confirm | No published rule found; ask the Building Department | — | — | not verified |
| Madison Heights | Oakland | Not required | Not required for change of ownership or tenancy of an existing residential dwelling; required for new construction/additions, commercial change of use/ownership, and change of ownership of multi-family property. | $210 permanent C of O; $325 temporary; $40 change of property owner only (commercial/multi-family) | (248) 583-0831 | October 27, 2026 |
| Milford Township | Oakland | Not required | C of O issued only on completion of a building permit for new or altered buildings; no sale/transfer inspection mentioned. | — | (248) 684-1296 | October 27, 2026 |
| Northville | Oakland | Call to confirm | No published rule found; ask the Community Development | — | 248-449-9902 | not verified |
| Novi | Oakland | Call to confirm | No published rule found; ask the Community Development | — | 248-347-0415 | not verified |
| Novi Township | Oakland | Call to confirm | No published rule found; ask the City of Novi Community Development (building handled by City of Novi) | — | 248-347-0415 | not verified |
| Oak Park | Oakland | Limited cases | Rental properties only: registration plus inspection and Certificate of Compliance every two years or at change of tenancy; no sale/transfer inspection for owner-occupied homes found. | Rental: $80 registration (2-yr) + $150 inspection single-family ($150 + $60/additional unit multi); C of O request $50 residential or reissuance, $75 commercial | (248) 691-7450 | October 27, 2026 |
| Oakland Township | Oakland | Not required | C of O issued on completion of construction (new construction only); no sale/transfer inspection mentioned. | — | 248-651-6930 | October 27, 2026 |
| Orchard Lake | Oakland | Limited cases | Residential rentals must be registered, inspected and certified before rental occupancy; no sale/transfer inspection for owner-occupied homes found. | — | (248) 682-2400 | October 27, 2026 |
| Orion Township | Oakland | Limited cases | Rentals only: Ordinance No. 164 (Rental Housing Certification, effective July 1, 2025) requires registration with mandatory inspection; no sale/transfer inspection found. | — | 248.391.0304 ext. 6001 | October 27, 2026 |
| Oxford Township | Oakland | Not required | Certificate of Occupancy applies to new construction (issued after final inspection, grading certificate, and county health approval); no resale, re-occupancy, rental, or vacant inspection fee or form exists. | No resale fee; Change of Occupancy Permit $260 (commercial/zoning); Temporary Certificate of Occupancy listed | (248) 628-9787 | October 27, 2026 |
| Pleasant Ridge | Oakland | Limited cases | Rentals only: landlord license requires inspection by the building official; license valid two years. No sale/transfer inspection found. | — | 248-541-2901 | October 27, 2026 |
| Pontiac | Oakland | Limited cases | Vacant/registered-vacant properties only: a re-occupancy certificate from the Building Safety Division is required before a vacant property is re-occupied; no inspection required on ordinary sale/transfer of occupied homes. | Re-Occupancy Inspection Application Fee $350 (form also cites $35 non-refundable processing fee) | 248-758-2800 | October 27, 2026 |
| Rochester | Oakland | Limited cases | City Certificate of Occupancy Program is commercial: all new businesses and changes of tenancy/occupancy need a C of O; no residential resale or re-occupancy inspection program found. | — | 248-733-3700 | October 27, 2026 |
| Rochester Hills | Oakland | Call to confirm | No published rule found; ask the Building Department | — | 248-656-4615 | not verified |
| Rose Township | Oakland | Call to confirm | No published rule found; ask the Rose Township Planning & Building Department (Building, Zoning & Code Enforcement) | — | 248-634-0290 | not verified |
| Royal Oak | Oakland | Call to confirm | No published rule found; ask the Building Department (Inspection Department) | — | 248-246-3210 | not verified |
| Royal Oak Township | Oakland | Call to confirm | No published rule found; ask the Building Department | — | 248-965-3582 | not verified |
| South Lyon | Oakland | Not required | Certificate of Occupancy is a building-permit function (fee is 5% of the building permit fee); no pre-sale, resale or rental inspection fee exists. | Certificate of Occupancy: 5% of building permit fee | (248) 437-5255 | October 27, 2026 |
| Southfield | Oakland | Limited cases | Registered vacant properties only: a vacant property may not be re-occupied until the city issues a certificate of compliance (issued within 30 days before occupancy); no inspection found for an ordinary occupied-home resale. | $300 vacant registration (includes two inspections); $175 recertification of vacant compliance; $20 new owner affidavit; residential C of O $50; special inspection $100 per trade + $40 application | (248) 796-4100 | October 27, 2026 |
| Southfield Township | Oakland | Call to confirm | No published rule found; ask the building department (building handled by Township has no building department; the township is wholly made up of the villages of Beverly Hills, Bingham Farms and Franklin, which issue their own building permits) | — | (248) 540-3420 | not verified |
| Springfield Township | Oakland | Call to confirm | No published rule found; ask the Building Department | — | 248-846-6500 | not verified |
| Sylvan Lake | Oakland | Call to confirm | No published rule found; ask the Building Department (building/electrical/plumbing/mechanical permits via Bloomfield Township Building Division) (building handled by Bloomfield Township Building Division (contracted); Sylvan Lake City Hall 248-682-1440 handles zoning permits) | — | 248-433-7715 (Bloomfield Twp Building); 248-682-1440 (Sylvan Lake City Hall) | not verified |
| Troy | Oakland | Call to confirm | No published rule found; ask the Building Department | — | 248-524-3344 (Building); 248-689-5744 (inspection line) | not verified |
| Walled Lake | Oakland | Call to confirm | No published rule found; ask the Permits & Applications (Building Permits) | — | (248) 624-4847 | not verified |
| Waterford Township | Oakland | Not required | Certificate of Occupancy is tied to new home construction (final inspections, grade certificate); no pre-sale/resale inspection or fee exists; rentals are registered/licensed separately. | No resale fee listed; Business Registration Certificate of Occupancy $100; Duplicate C of O $15; rental registration $10/building + $2/unit, annual operating fee $50/unit (1-4 units) | 248-674-6238 | October 27, 2026 |
| West Bloomfield Township | Oakland | Call to confirm | No published rule found; ask the Building Division | — | — | not verified |
| White Lake Township | Oakland | Not required | Certificate of Occupancy is a new-construction checklist item (blower door test, as-builts, final grade); fee ordinance has no pre-sale/resale fee, only a $200 'Change of Occupancy or New Use Inspection'; rentals are registered separately. | No resale fee listed; Change of Occupancy or New Use Inspection $200 (Fee Ordinance 129, Sec. 16) | (248) 698-3300 x2 | October 27, 2026 |
| Wixom | Oakland | Limited cases | Rental units only: rental business license (Ch. 5.25) with a Rental Unit Inspection Form per dwelling; final Certificate of Occupancy is issued on completion of construction; no sale/transfer inspection found. | Rental business license $75 ($150 if life-safety inspection needed); Rental Unit Inspection Form $85 | 248-624-0880 | October 27, 2026 |
| Allen Park | Wayne | Required to sell | All residential dwellings listed for sale on/after March 1, 2022 need a Certificate of Occupancy prior to closing (Ord. 04-2019, Sec. 10-404). | $175 single/two-family (covers initial and final inspection); $50 cancellation/no-entry/utilities-off; $100 expedited after-hours | 313-928-4441 | October 27, 2026 |
| Belleville | Wayne | Required to sell | All residential and commercial structures: a C of O is required before any new occupancy or re-occupancy, including when occupancy of an existing property changes (i.e., resale to a new occupant). | $298 residential (per unit; includes two inspections per trade, building and electrical); $357 commercial; re-inspection $75 building / $54 electrical-mechanical; Temporary C of O $217 + $600 bond | 734-697-9323 ext. 7015 (Building Clerk) | October 27, 2026 |
| Brownstown Township | Wayne | Limited cases | Rentals (registration + inspection, $200 single-family house inspection) and vacant properties (registration; Certificate of Compliance $75) only; the Certificate of Occupancy application is a new-construction final-inspection form and no sale/transfer trigger exists. | Rental: registration $25/unit, single-family house inspection $200, re-inspection $75; Vacant: registration $250, renewal $250, Certificate of Compliance $75; C of O application (construction) $50 residential | 734-675-0166 | October 27, 2026 |
| Canton Township | Wayne | Call to confirm | No published rule found; ask the Building & Inspection Services | — | 734/394-5200 | not verified |
| Dearborn | Wayne | Required to sell | All residential property transfers; city pre-sale inspection and a Certificate of Occupancy in the buyer's name must be obtained prior to closing; inspection report valid 1 year. | $225 single-family; $275 two-family; $345 three-family; $405 four-family; $75 cancellation/no-entry/utilities-off | 313-943-2150 | October 27, 2026 |
| Dearborn Heights | Wayne | Call to confirm | No published rule found; ask the Building Department | — | 313-791-3470 | not verified |
| Detroit | Wayne | Not required | Mandatory pre-sale inspection of one- and two-family dwellings was repealed in Nov 2014; the city's pre-sale inspection is voluntary (prepaid, $352). Council requested a Feb 2026 report on reinstating a requirement. | $352 per voluntary pre-sale inspection (BSEED, 2024) | (313) 224-2372 | October 27, 2026 |
| Ecorse | Wayne | Required to sell | Sale of any building; a resale inspection and Certificate of Approval under Ordinance Sec. 7-1, with As-Is affidavit/escrow option for buyers. | $180 first unit + $140 each additional unit (due with application); $75 lockout/re-inspection | 313-386-3636 | October 27, 2026 |
| Flat Rock | Wayne | Required to sell | All residential home resales (City Council approval July 6, 2020); life-safety items must be corrected before occupancy. | $200 (due before inspection); $85 re-inspection; $25 bond processing fee if a bond is required | 734-782-0445 | October 27, 2026 |
| Garden City | Wayne | Call to confirm | No published rule found; ask the Building Department | — | 734-793-1650 | not verified |
| Gibraltar | Wayne | Required to sell | Sale of a home requires a city housing inspection (fire-system/code compliance) and Certificate of Approval before closing. | $225 flat (includes first and follow-up inspection); $50 re-inspection/lockout | 248-938-4535 | October 27, 2026 |
| Grosse Ile Township | Wayne | Limited cases | Commercial and industrial premises only: a certificate of occupancy with inspection is required at transfer (Ch. 59); residential C of O is required only for newly erected/altered buildings or a change of use (Zoning §285-20.3). | — | (734) 676-4422 | October 27, 2026 |
| Grosse Pointe | Wayne | Required to sell | Residential Certificate of Occupancy inspection tied to a sale transaction (checklist addresses seller and buyer); trigger wording and validity not stated on fetched pages. | — | 313-885-5800 | October 27, 2026 |
| Grosse Pointe Farms | Wayne | Required to sell | Residential property-maintenance (Certificate of Occupancy) inspection program for existing homes; city form does not spell out the sale/lease trigger. | $200 residential (2026 application); 2015 permit fee schedule lists C of O fee $150 and $77 re-inspection | (313) 885-4285 | October 27, 2026 |
| Grosse Pointe Park | Wayne | Required to sell | All changes of ownership of a home or business; for single-family homes the certificate expires upon a change of occupancy (rental/commercial certificates valid 2 years). | $200 single-family; $300 two-family; $400 three-family; $500 four-family (+$50/unit over four); $350 commercial; $70 lockout/re-inspection; $175 failure to obtain (FY 2026-27 fee schedule) | 313-822-4365 (C of O scheduling); 313-822-6200 (City Hall) | October 27, 2026 |
| Grosse Pointe Shores Village | Wayne | Call to confirm | No published rule found; ask the building department | — | — | not verified |
| Grosse Pointe Woods | Wayne | Call to confirm | No published rule found; ask the Building Department | — | 313-343-2426 | not verified |
| Hamtramck | Wayne | Limited cases | Non-owner-occupied/rental dwellings (2-year then 3-year rental certificate) and commercial re-occupation; no pre-sale or transfer inspection fee exists for owner-occupied residential. | C of O 1-2 family new/replacement $25; temporary C of O $250 + $500 bond per incomplete item; rental first-time 2-yr certificate $150/unit, renewal 3-yr $225/unit, landlord registration $75 | 313-800-5233 ext. 814 | October 27, 2026 |
| Harper Woods | Wayne | Call to confirm | No published rule found; ask the Building Department | — | 313-343-2526 | not verified |
| Highland Park | Wayne | Limited cases | Non-owner-occupied (rental) dwellings need a Non-Owner Occupied Certificate renewed every 2 years; no owner-occupied resale requirement found. | $150 per unit (1-2 family); $300 + $25/unit multi-family; $75 one-time owner registration; $75 re-inspection after first | (313) 252-0050 ext. 209 | October 27, 2026 |
| Huron Township | Wayne | Call to confirm | No published rule found; ask the Building Department | — | — | not verified |
| Inkster | Wayne | Required to sell | All houses being sold or transferred (including land contracts); certificate issued to seller is good for six months. | $180 (Buying or Selling a Home page) / $200 application fee (Re-Occupancy application PDF); $40 Approval Letter to Close; $40 locked-out inspection | 313-563-7716 | October 27, 2026 |
| Lincoln Park | Wayne | Call to confirm | No published rule found; ask the Building | — | 313-386-1800 Ext. 1299 | not verified |
| Livonia | Wayne | Limited cases | Rentals only: annual rental license and inspection; rental properties with open violations cannot transfer title until inspected. No owner-occupied resale inspection found. | Single-family rental $105 ($45 license + $60 inspection); two-family $145; $45 missed-appointment fee | (734) 466-2580 | October 27, 2026 |
| Melvindale | Wayne | Required to sell | All sales of property; certificate valid 2 years from effective date; escrow required for all as-is sales. | $205 single-family ($180 + $25 admin); $275 two-family; $75 min re-inspection per field with violations; $55 temporary C of O or waiver ($40 + $15); escrow minimum $500 plus $45 application + $25 admin | 313-429-1060 | October 27, 2026 |
| Northville | Wayne | Call to confirm | No published rule found; ask the building department | — | (248) 349-7640 | not verified |
| Northville Township | Wayne | Call to confirm | No published rule found; ask the Building Division | — | (248) 348-5830 | not verified |
| Plymouth | Wayne | Limited cases | Rentals only: rental housing inspection with Certificate of Compliance (transferable to new owner for $50); the fee schedule has no resale/re-occupancy inspection fee for owner-occupied homes, only a C of O application fee tied to building permits. | $350 application for certificate of occupancy (building); rental: $70 registration, $100 initial inspection, $90 re-inspection, $50 certificate of compliance, $50 transfer of certificate of compliance to new owner | (734) 453-1234 ext. 232 | October 27, 2026 |
| Plymouth Township | Wayne | Call to confirm | No published rule found; ask the Building Department | — | (734) 354-3210 | not verified |
| Redford Township | Wayne | Limited cases | Vacant buildings (registration plus inspection) and registered rentals (rental home registration and inspection program); no sale/transfer inspection appears on the Building & Safety page or fee schedule. | $300 vacant building (registration $100 + inspection $200, due at registration); $56 building re-inspection | 313-387-2680 | October 27, 2026 |
| River Rouge | Wayne | Call to confirm | No published rule found; ask the City of River Rouge Building Department | — | 313-842-4203 | not verified |
| Riverview | Wayne | Required to sell | All residential home sales; city has conducted sale inspections since July 1, 2016. | $200 initial inspection; $75 each additional inspection | (734) 281-4200 (permits/scheduling (734) 281-4242) | October 27, 2026 |
| Rockwood | Wayne | Required to sell | All transfers of single-family dwellings; violations must be corrected before transfer unless buyer assumes them. | $400 (registration, admin fee and two inspections); third inspection extra | 734-379-9496 | October 27, 2026 |
| Romulus | Wayne | Required to sell | Re-occupancy inspections on all residential buildings; the Certificate of Occupancy application has a Purchaser Information section and provides a Letter to Close or temporary C.O. with cash bond, implying a C of O is needed when an existing home changes hands. | — | 734-942-7550 | October 27, 2026 |
| Southgate | Wayne | Required to sell | All residential dwelling sales/transfers (exterior inspection) since July 12, 2021; Certificate of Compliance valid for one sale or transfer. | $200 initial inspection (eff. June 1, 2024); $60 each additional inspection | (734) 258-7783 | October 27, 2026 |
| Sumpter Township | Wayne | Required to sell | Residential re-sale inspections conducted by the Building Department; For Sale permit application required for single-family sales. | $200 single-family; $75 re-inspection; $50 cancellation without one business day notice; expedited extra | (734) 461-6201 ext. 2233 (form lists (734) 256-4420) | October 27, 2026 |
| Taylor | Wayne | Required to sell | Any change of ownership requires a Certificate of Occupancy prior to occupancy (not to close); residential re-occupancy inspection includes 1st and 2nd inspections; inspection valid 6 months; certificate is non-transferable and valid for as long as you own the property. | $200 residential re-occupancy (includes 1st & 2nd inspections); $400 commercial; $100 re-inspection; $75 Closing Certificate of Inspection; residential temporary C of O $100 + $200 bond | 734-287-6550 | October 27, 2026 |
| Trenton | Wayne | Required to sell | All sales of one- and two-family residential homes (inspection upon transfer). | $210 | 734-675-8251 | October 27, 2026 |
| Van Buren Township | Wayne | Not required | No residential resale or re-occupancy inspection fee exists; the 2026 Building Department fee schedule lists re-occupancy inspections for businesses only and a temporary C of O for permit work, so C of O applies to new construction/commercial. | Temporary Certificate of Occupancy $300; Business Re-Occupancy Inspection $75/hr building + $75/hr fire | 734-699-8913 | October 27, 2026 |
| Wayne | Wayne | Required to sell | Sale or other transfer of ownership of a residential dwelling requires a Certificate of Compliance after city inspection (Codified Ordinances Ch. 1484). | — | 734-728-9100 | October 27, 2026 |
| Westland | Wayne | Required to sell | All houses being sold or transferred; Certificate of Approval valid 6 months. | $250 (seller, with Home Sale or Transfer Application); $40 Approval Letter To Close if buyer assumes | 734-467-3210 | October 27, 2026 |
| Woodhaven | Wayne | Required to sell | All residential sales or transfers of one- and two-family dwellings (sale, land contract, purchase option); excludes gifts, devise, lease, lien foreclosure and rentals holding a current certificate of compliance. | $200 resale inspection; $40 per inspector re-inspection (2024 fee schedule) | (734) 675-4930 | October 27, 2026 |
| Wyandotte | Wayne | Required to sell | Sale of any dwelling requires a city inspection and Certificate of Approval; inspection report valid 1 year if sale does not occur. | — | 734-324-4500 | October 27, 2026 |
"Verified" links to the city page the row was read from, on the date shown. Rows marked "call to confirm" have no published rule we could find; the phone number is the building department's. Point-of-sale and certificate-of-occupancy rules are local ordinances. Match Realty LLC compiles them from each municipality's own publications and does not guarantee completeness or accuracy. Always verify with the municipality. This page is general information from a licensed broker, not legal advice.
What to ask when you call
| Ask | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Do you require a city inspection before a residential sale can transfer? | The threshold question. Some gate transfer; some gate occupancy afterwards. |
| Who orders it, and how far ahead should it be scheduled? | Usually the seller, and lead times of two to four weeks are common. This is what eats a 30-day close. |
| What does it cost, and who pays? | Ranges from about $100 to several hundred. |
| What are the common failures here? | Sidewalk slabs, handrails, egress windows, address numbers, smoke alarms. All cheap if you know in week one and expensive in week four. |
| Can the buyer post a bond and take on the repairs? | Many communities allow an escrow or bond with a temporary certificate. This is often the difference between closing on time and not. |
| Is there a re-inspection fee, and how fast can it be rescheduled? | A failed inspection with a two-week requeue is a blown closing date. |
Called and got a different answer,
or closed a deal there? Tell us and the row gets re-verified with the date.
This list is only worth what its maintenance is worth, which is why the circulating PDFs are not.
Common questions
Which Metro Detroit cities require a certificate of occupancy to sell a house?
As of October 27, 2026, 22 of the 119 Wayne, Oakland and Macomb municipalities we track require a city inspection and certificate on an ordinary residential sale, 34 require one only in limited cases (vacant, foreclosed, rental or multi-family), and 14 require nothing. The table above gives each city's rule, fee and the official source it was read from; the rest have no published rule online and need a phone call.
Is a certificate of occupancy the same as a point-of-sale or pre-sale inspection?
In Southeast Michigan, yes in practice. The city inspects the home against its property-maintenance code before the sale closes or the buyer moves in, then issues a certificate of occupancy (some cities say certificate of approval or compliance). Agents call the whole process the C of O.
How long does a C of O inspection take, and who pays?
Plan on two to four weeks from request to certificate in the cities that require one, and $150 to $300 for a single-family home, paid by whoever orders it (usually the seller). A failed inspection adds a re-inspection fee and a requeue, which is what turns a 30-day close into a 45-day one.
Does Detroit require a certificate of occupancy to sell a house?
Not today for an owner-occupied single-family sale; Detroit's inspections apply to rentals and to buildings of three or more units. The city published a draft pre-sale inspection ordinance in 2026, so this row is on the weekly watch list. Rental property is covered on the rental compliance lookup.
How current is this list?
Each row shows the date it was read from the city's own page, with a link to that page. Those source pages are re-fetched every week and any change is flagged for a re-read before the row is a year old. Industry PDFs that tried to do this by hand were last revised in 2018 and 2021.