Selling
Which Metro Detroit cities inspect a house before you sell?
Some Metro Detroit cities won't let a house close until a city inspector has been through it. Others don't inspect a standard owner-occupied sale at all. If yours inspects, book it before the listing, not after: it can take weeks to get on the schedule, and what it finds has to be handled before closing.
Every city on this list has its own page with the details: who to call, what the inspection covers, and how houses there are selling right now. The fees and lead times below come from each city’s own documents, and we update them when the city changes them.
City by city
The city inspects before you sell
No sale inspection
No sale inspection, but an open code violation stops the sale
Ask the Building Department before you list
No inspection on a standard owner-occupied sale
No inspection on a standard owner-occupied sale
No inspection on a standard owner-occupied sale
No resale inspection or certificate of occupancy
No inspection on a standard owner-occupied sale
No sale inspection posted by the city or the township
Three things to check in every city
Whether or not your city inspects, these three come up in almost every sale.
Open permits
An old permit that was never closed turns up in the buyer’s inspection, the city’s inspection, or at the title company. Closing it now is usually a call and a final inspection. Each city page links to its permit records.
The flood map
If the house is in a FEMA flood zone, the buyer’s lender will require flood insurance, and the buyer will find out from the lender. Look it up first on FEMA’s flood map so it’s part of the plan, not a surprise.
The final water bill
Most cities want a final reading or a final bill before closing, and some need days or weeks of notice. Livonia’s readings can run two weeks out. Farmington Hills doesn’t do a final bill at all; the title company handles it with the county. Each city page has the number to call.
“In a city that inspects, the inspection is the first step, not the listing. The sellers who find out at the closing table are the ones it costs.”
Ask Peter a question
Peter reads these himself and replies within two business days.