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1. Who would I call for information on my neighborhood watch?

Information on Neighborhood Watch can be obtained by contacting the Public Safety Coordinator at 734-482-9847.

2. How often should I replace my smoke alarm?

Smoke alarms should be tested every month and batteries replaced at least once a year or as needed. All alarms that are more than 10 years old should be replaced.

3. Where can I get a fire extinguisher?

Homeowners can purchase fire extinguishers at local area fire protection retailers. Most department and home improvement stores also carry them.

4. Where can disabled residents get better information on how to be better prepared for emergencies?

Information on preparing for emergencies (including a checklist for people with mobility problems) is available through the Washtenaw Chapter of the American Red Cross. They are located at 2729 Packard Road, in Ann Arbor, and can be reached by phone at 734-971-5300.

5. Can I burn leaves or conduct a bonfire on my own property?

No, this violates the city's open burning ordinance. Controlled wild fire burns may be allowed if a fire is necessary to protect rare plants dependent on fire for seed protection.

6. How do I obtain a copy of my fire report?

Contact the Fire Dept. with incident date and location 734-482-9778.

7. What is a Knox Box?

A Knox Box is a way for firefighters to gain entry to buildings without causing damage. During a fire alarm when no obvious signs of fire are apparent, firefighters can gain access to buildings to check whether an alarm is false or there is a problem. The advantage is there is no unnecessary damage caused by firefighters during a false alarm. Please call the Ypsilanti Fire Dept. for more information on obtaining a Knox Box system.

8. What kind of work schedule do firefighters work?

Ypsilanti Firefighters work a 24 hour rotating shift working from 7 a.m. - 7 a.m. the next day which follows a (24 on - 24 off - 24 on -24 off - 24 on - 96 off) schedule. Averaging a 54 hour work week (overtime is not paid for the additional 14 hours of work.)

9. Can I have fireworks?

Fireworks are classified into many categories. Low-impact, and novelty fireworks are permitted for use at any time. Consumer fireworks may only be used on the days before, during and after a national holiday, with exception of the hours between 1 - 8 a.m.
For examples, view the Michigan Bureau of Fire Services Chart (PDF).

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1. What is personal property?

Personal Property is the tangible (physical) assets of a business. Personal Property should not be confused with real property.

2. What are some examples of personal property?

Personal Property consists of many items. A few items included are: furniture, fixtures, machinery, equipment, office equipment, computer equipment and signs. Contact the local Assessor's Office if you have a question whether an item qualifies as personal property.

3. Where and how often do I have to file a personal property statement?

Personal Property statements are filed each year with the jurisdiction that the personal property was located in on December 31st. Personal property is valued at market (true-cash) value and assessed at 50% thereof. Personal Property statements are mailed the first week of January and must be completed, signed and returned by February 20th. If a personal property statement is not returned by the February 20th deadline, by law, the Assessor is required to estimate an assessed value.

4. Who says I have to file a personal property statement?

The Michigan Constitution provides for assessment of all real and personal property not exempted by law.

5. What type of information do I include on the personal property statement?

You need to include the total original installed costs for each item of personal property by the year of purchase.

6. What about used equipment?

If an item was purchased used, you must report the original cost of the item in the year it was purchased AS NEW. Do not report the cost you paid for the item as used. (You may have to contact the seller for original cost information).

If you have personal property that has been fully expensed or depreciated for Federal Income Tax or financial accounting purposes, the original cost in the year purchased MUST be reported on your personal property statement. When you sell or get rid of an item of personal property, the original cost of the item should not be included on your statement when you file the following year.

7. Do I report equipment that I am leasing?

Yes. This equipment should be reported on Section J of your personal property statement. Be sure to include the type of equipment, leasing company name and mailing address. The leasing company may be responsible for payment of the personal property tax. However, be sure to read your rental/lease agreement to verify if the leasing company or your business is responsible for the tax.

8. I lease space my business occupies. Do I have to pay a personal property tax?

Yes. Personal Property is a tax on the physical (tangible) assets of the business, not the structure or building itself. Therefore, the owner of the business, not the owner of the building, is assessed a personal property tax.

9. Where does the tax money collected go?

When you receive your personal property tax bill, it will have itemized amounts as to where the tax money is distributed. In Ypsilanti City, those entities include but are not limited to: Washtenaw County, Ypsilanti City, Ypsilanti Schools, State Education Fund, Washtenaw Intermediate Schools, Washtenaw Community College, Ypsilanti Library. Essentially, personal property tax money goes to the same entities as real property tax. The tax rate used to calculate the amount of tax is the non-homestead tax rate.

10. What if I want to appeal my assessed value on my personal property?

If you disagree with your assessment, please contact the Assessor's Office. If needed you may appeal to the Board of Review in March and further to the Michigan Tax Tribunal. However, in order to file to the Michigan Tax Tribunal, you must have filed your personal property tax statement and you must have appealed to the March Board of Review.

Refer to your Assessment Change Notice or City website for Board of Review dates and times.

11. What are my responsibilities as a business owner?

You must notify your local Assessor's Office when your business moves into or out of the City. You are also required to obtain a City Business License prior to operation of any business in the City. Also, if you anticipate purchasing a business, make sure that the seller has paid the personal property taxes. The tax bills may be in the name of the old business, but the tax lien on the personal property remains. Therefore, the personal property may be seized to pay delinquent personal property taxes even though you may be the new business owner.

12. What happens if my business moves out of Ypsilanti during the year?

December 31st is tax day in the State of Michigan. Unlike real property where taxes are prorated at the time of sale, a personal property tax is due for the entire year. For example, if your business moves out of the city on any day during the calendar year following tax day (December 31st), you, as a business owner, are still liable for the personal property tax for the remainder of the calendar year.

Personal property taxes would be due to the City or Township your business re-locates to the following year. Your business cannot be taxed a personal property tax by two jurisdictions in the same year.

13. What happens if personal property taxes become delinquent?

The non-payment of personal property taxes could result in seizure of the personal property. If you have a dispute, pay the taxes and pursue action to show why reimbursement should be made. Once the opportunity to appeal with the Board of Review has passed and a tax bill has been issued, the assessment and tax bill are both valid and the tax is not refundable. The Treasurer or other collection officer is authorized to padlock the business and seize and sell personal property if personal property taxes remain unpaid.

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1. I just bought a house that I want to turn into a rental. How do I go about getting it inspected?

Submit the property registration form to the Building Department and the office secretary will schedule an inspection date. Also be sure to look at the guidelines for rental properties to assure you're in compliance with the code requirements.

All requests to reschedule must be submitted to the Building Department in writing at least 72 hours in advance. Requests will be reviewed with consideration given to certificate expiration date, number of past requests and nature of outstanding violations, (if any). Typically, requests will not be granted if there are outstanding safety violations in a common area or occupied unit. Find more information on the Rental Inspections page.

2. I have a complaint about my apartment or landlord. What do I do?

A property maintenance complaint form must be submitted to the Building Department by the leaseholder. Before submitting the complaint, we require that you notify the property owner/agent of the problem(s) in writing and allow 10 days for corrections to be made. If the owner/agent fails to respond or address the problem(s), submit a copy of your written request and a copy of your lease along with the complaint form to the Building Department. Upon receipt, staff will schedule a date and time for an inspection. Property Maintenance Complaint Form (PDF)

3. I just purchased a vacant house and the water department (YCUA) says I need to post a $1000 bond for water. What does this mean?

Section 18-155 of the Ypsilanti Code of Ordinances allows the Building Department to order the water shut off in vacant buildings that lack a Certificate of Compliance. Posting the $1,000 bond allows YCUA to restore the water service for the purpose of making repairs to the structure. If the structure is occupied prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Compliance, the bond will be forfeited to the City. If the property remains vacant until the Certificate of Compliance is issued, the bond will be refunded to the owner. If a property is purchased and a Principal Residence Exemption (P.R.E.) is granted by the Assessor’s Office, the bond requirement will be lifted.

4. A member of my family lives in the house that I own but doesn't pay rent. Why do I need a certificate of compliance?

Section 18-111 of the Ypsilanti City Code states that a one- or two-unit dwelling means a building wherein:
(1) Any payment for the use of one or more dwelling units or one or more sleeping units (including but not limited to: payment of money or goods, or the performance of services or labor, or the payment of taxes or utilities) is made; or
(2) Any one or more dwelling units or one or more sleeping units are occupied, and the building is not occupied by the owner.