Marquette, Township On Monday, June 22, 2015, Marquette Township Planning & Zoning staff will begin conducting property maintenance inspections within our community. The Planning & Zoning Department offers a full range of services intended to guide the future development of the township and maintain the integrity and value of our existing neighborhoods in a manner that is consistent with public policy, township ordinances, and state statutes. One of those services is to provide residents with responses to complaints about unsightly and/or unsafe residences and premises.
To that end, and due to the volume of concerns recently received from residents, staff will canvas the community in an effort to rid our neighborhoods of blight, rubbish, and abandoned, unlicensed and/or unregistered vehicles. The Marquette Township Property Maintenance Ordinance was enacted in 1997 to establish basic property maintenance standards to prevent unsafe and unhealthy conditions on private properties in the community. The intent of the ordinance is to provide set standards for property maintenance. The Property Maintenance Ordinance addresses several key areas including building maintenance, yard maintenance, and unregistered/unlicensed on private property.
Along with regulating the appearance and safety of structures, the Property Maintenance Ordinance sets standards for the exterior appearance of the yard and lot. It is unlawful to store interior items such as appliances, furniture, furnishings, or other household goods, on any private property unless stored within a building. You should not have to look at your neighbor’s rubbish and they should not have to look at yours. It is also unlawful to allow litter, garbage, junk, or other refuse to accumulate on a property. The Property Maintenance Ordinance also regulates the excessive growth of grass and weeds on private property. It is unlawful for any owner or occupant of land in the township to allow any weeds or grass to become overgrown – on developed property. Neatly maintained yards and properties add to the aesthetic value of the neighborhood. Overgrown grass and weeds create the appearance of blight and shall be cut and maintained to a length of less than ten (10) inches.
Regarding motor vehicles, not more than one (1) currently unregistered or uninspected motor vehicle shall be parked, kept, or stored on any premises, and no vehicle shall at any time be in a state of major disassembly, disrepair, or in the process of being stripped or dismantled. However, a vehicle of any type is permitted to undergo major overhaul, including body work, provided that such work is performed inside a structure or similarly enclosed area designed and approved for such purposes. In most cases, civil infractions are not levied upon property owners in violation of the ordinance, but staff would like our residents and businesses to know that any person or other entity that violates any of the provisions of the Property Maintenance Ordinance is responsible for a municipal civil infraction as defined by Michigan law and Marquette Charter Township, and subject to a civil fine determined in accordance with the adopted fee schedule.
Additionally, any person found to be in violation of the ordinance shall pay costs, which may include all direct or indirect expenses to which the township has been put in connection with the violation. In no case, however, shall costs of less than $10.00 be ordered. A violator of the ordinance shall also be subject to such additional sanctions, remedies, and judicial orders as are authorized under Michigan law. Each day a violation of the ordinance continues to exist constitutes a separate violation. The Planning & Zoning Department offers resources for those property owners that are found to be in violation of our Property Maintenance Ordinance. There are businesses within our community that will purchase junk vehicles and parts, conduct yard maintenance, and that will shore up any unsafe structures that need attention.
In summary, a clean, safe, and well-maintained community not only affects the quality of life for its residents, it also affects property values. Residents deserve to live in well-maintained neighborhoods which complement their property, not detract from it. In order for Marquette Township to continue to grow and prosper, we all need to do our part to make the community attractive and appealing to existing and future residents and businesses. We all must take responsibility for the proper maintenance of our own property. Marquette Township appreciates all of the investment and reinvestment that has occurred and continues to occur in the community. The Planning & Zoning Department aims to protect your investment by ensuring that the Property Maintenance Ordinance is administered within our community.
If you have questions or concerns regarding property maintenance, please feel free to contact our department at the Marquette Township Hall & Community Center. Jason McCarthy Planner/Zoning Administrator Marquette Charter Township 1000 Commerce Drive Marquette, MI 49855 Ph | 906.228.6220 x105 jasonmccarthy@marquettetownship.org
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