Petoskey council adopts vacant‑building registration ordinance, sets fees after debate

Petoskey City Council adopted a revised ordinance to regulate vacant buildings and approved a resolution setting registration and inspection fees at its Aug. 18, 2025, meeting at City Hall.

The council voted 5‑0 to adopt the Chapter 7 amendment on vacant buildings after a second reading. Councilmembers debated exemptions, the required evidence that a structure is vacant and whether a “for sale” listing must be placed with a licensed broker. Councilmembers discussed options including permitting owner‑listed properties if they appear in the local MLS and posting a visible for‑sale sign on the property.

City Attorney Laura clarified the draft’s scope, saying, “I think you’re exactly right that a vacant building as defined in this draft is not just a vacant building. It’s a building or structure that’s not legally occupied or used and exhibits evidence of vacancies.” That definition, she and staff said, means well‑maintained homes whose lawns are kept but that are temporarily unoccupied would not necessarily trigger registration.

The ordinance requires owners of buildings vacant for more than 60 consecutive days to register the property with the city’s code‑enforcement officer within 14 days after the 60‑day period or the ordinance’s effective date, whichever is later. The council also discussed inspection triggers and enforcement tools for properties that are unsafe or unfit for human habitation.

Separately, the council approved a resolution establishing registration and inspection fees linked to the ordinance. After council discussion the adopted fee structure included an initial residential registration and inspection fee of $150 and initial commercial registration and inspection fee of $250. The council also set higher renewal/reinspection fees to increase compliance: $300 for residential renewals and $500 for commercial renewals. Councilmembers said the higher renewal fees help offset staff time and encourage timely remediation.

Councilmembers also took the first reading of a separate proposed “dangerous building” ordinance that staff said is modeled on longstanding Michigan housing law; no action was taken on that draft during the meeting. City staff and councilmembers said the dangerous‑building draft is intended to add enforcement tools for structures that pose immediate threats to public health and safety; that item will return for further consideration at a future meeting.

After an in‑camera discussion under the attorney‑client privilege, the council voted 5‑0 to authorize the city attorney to take the blight and property‑maintenance enforcement actions recommended in closed session. Council members said they want the ordinances and fee schedule to give staff clear, enforceable options against properties that create neighborhood blight or public‑safety risks.

The ordinances and fees will be administered by city staff, including the code enforcement officer and the city clerk’s office. Councilmembers and staff said the measures are meant to focus enforcement on problematic properties showing signs of vacancy or disrepair and to allow discretion for well‑maintained but temporarily unoccupied homes. The council also noted the new rules can be adjusted in future meetings if unintended consequences arise.

Votes at a glance - Adoption of ordinance amending Chapter 7 (vacant buildings): motion passed 5‑0. Mover: Councilmember Moore. Second: Councilmember Shields. - Resolution establishing vacant‑building registration and inspection fees (initial residential $150; initial commercial $250; renewal/reinspection residential $300; renewal/reinspection commercial $500): motion passed 5‑0. Mover: Councilmember Shields. Second: Councilmember Walker. - Authorization for city attorney to pursue enforcement actions recommended in closed session: motion passed 5‑0. Mover: Councilmember Moore. Second: Councilmember Shields.

What’s next The council approved the Chapter 7 amendment and fee resolution immediately; the dangerous‑building ordinance completed its first reading and will return for additional review. City staff will begin implementing the registration and inspection process under the timeline in the ordinance and will coordinate notices and forms through the clerk’s office and code enforcement.