Yes, you can usually sell a house with open code violations. What you have to do before closing depends on the city. Some require an inspection at sale, some don’t, and unpaid tickets can follow the property onto the tax bill.
How the rules differ near Detroit
- Detroit doesn’t require a city inspection before a sale. Council repealed the rule in 2014, and a February 2026 report to Council confirmed it’s still voluntary. Unpaid blight tickets can become a lien collected through the property tax bill. Detroit details.
- Dearborn requires a city pre-sale inspection and a Certificate of Occupancy before closing, whoever the buyer is. Dearborn details.
- Westland requires a Certificate of Approval, but lets the buyer accept the remaining violations and complete the repairs within 90 days after closing. Westland details.
- Pontiac requires vacant houses to be registered within 30 days of vacancy, with regular inspections. Pontiac details.
Blight tickets in Detroit
Detroit’s blight clearance certifies that no tickets are outstanding for a person and a property. You need one to buy at Wayne County and Detroit Land Bank auctions, and unpaid tickets must be paid in full first. When you sell, open tickets are often paid from the sale at closing or accounted for in the price.
What to gather
- Any violation notices, tickets or repair orders from the city
- Inspection reports, if the city has inspected
- Hearing dates, if any are scheduled
Fix first, or sell as-is?
If the list is short and cheap, fixing it can be worth it. If it involves a roof, electrical, plumbing or structural work, or the city has set deadlines you can’t meet, selling as-is moves that work to the buyer.
Getting an offer
We buy houses with open tickets and city repair lists. Send us the address and whatever paperwork you have, and we’ll factor it into a written offer. Tell us about the property.
This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. Laws and city rules change, so check the sources below and talk to an attorney about your situation.
Sources
- City of Detroit Legislative Policy Division: pre-sale inspection requirements (Feb. 2026)
- City of Detroit: rental ordinance update (Aug. 2025)
- City of Detroit: blight clearance information sheet
- City of Dearborn: selling a home
- City of Westland: buying or selling a home
- City of Pontiac Code, Chapter 22, Article VIII: vacant property registration