Grand Rapids’ Property Maintenance Code on Pests: IPMC 309, As Adopted

What the city adopted

“The 2021 edition of the International Property Maintenance Code ... is adopted by reference as herein modified” (City Code Sec. 8.501, Ord. 2023-22). Section 8.504 lists every IPMC section the city amends. Section 309, Pest Elimination, is not on the list, so the model code’s text governs in Grand Rapids:

“309.1 Infestation. Structures shall be kept free from insect and rodent infestation. Structures in which insects or rodents are found shall be promptly exterminated by approved processes that will not be injurious to human health. After pest elimination, proper precautions shall be taken to prevent reinfestation.
309.2 Owner. The owner of any structure shall be responsible for pest elimination within the structure prior to renting or leasing the structure.
309.3 Single occupant. The occupant of a one-family dwelling or of a single-tenant nonresidential structure shall be responsible for pest elimination on the premises.
309.4 Multiple occupancy. The owner of a structure containing two or more dwelling units ... shall be responsible for pest elimination in the public or shared areas of the structure and exterior property. If infestation is caused by failure of an occupant to prevent such infestation in the area occupied, the occupant and owner shall be responsible for pest elimination.
309.5 Occupant. The occupant of any structure shall be responsible for the continued rodent and pest-free condition of the structure. Exception: Where the infestations are caused by defects in the structure, the owner shall be responsible for pest elimination.”

Read against the state law

The Housing Law puts the whole building’s vermin on the owner. The city code refines it: before renting, the owner (309.2); in a single-family rental, the occupant (309.3); in a two-plus-unit building, the owner for shared areas and both parties where the occupant’s failure caused it (309.4); ongoing, the occupant unless a structural defect is the cause (309.5). A tenant whose unit was clean at move-in and who kept it clean is squarely in the owner’s column; one who brought in a used sofa is not.

The rental certificate

“No rental dwelling, rental unit, hotel unit or rooming unit shall be occupied prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Compliance” (1000.1). A certificate “may be suspended when the City has cited a substantial violation ... and shall be suspended if a hazard to health or safety is found to be present,” after which “the City may seek to suspend payments of rent” into escrow (1000.4). Rental dwellings are registered annually (901.2). Minor violations get a 14-day verbal order; major ones a Notice of Violation with 60 or 120 days.

Who to call

City of Grand Rapids Code Compliance, 616-456-3053, codes@grcity.us, 1120 Monroe Ave NW, Suite 300. Inside city limits, housing complaints go here. Outside, the county’s rule is different. Kent County →