For more information please the Maps and Records website.

Data Description

This encroachment data is intended as a reference material of encroachments, but not designed for survey, accurate positioning, or legal documents. It is created as polygon feature class, including information of petitioner’s name, current property owner, petition approval date, encroachment type, property address, and citations of Journal of City Council (J.C.C.). The raster layer version of Linen Map Markup Mosaic and the Detroit parcel layer are used to create this data.

The encroachment records begin at 1927 throughout the whole city, and it will be updated weekly, until it contains all information up to date. The most recent recorded encroachments are ready to view, and all encroachments need to be validated after all historical records are digitized. The authors are working on updating the database.

Attribute Fields

Petitioner Name: The petitioner’s name of encroachment, it could be commercial or private petitioner, multiple petitioners for one encroachment are accepted.

Owner Name: The current owner of property where encroachment exits. It could be commercial or private owner. The citation of current owner of parcels are recorded on BS&A online and Wayne County Register of Deeds.

Encroachment Type: Types of encroachment, such as berm use, planters, underground utility, steps, etc.

Type Code: Classified encroachment types

1 - Structural Overhang, feature hanging over ROW attached to a structure but is not physically connected to the ROW surface. (Awnings (no pillars), signs, design features on structures)
2 - Structural Above Grade, feature attached to a structure and is secured to the surface of a ROW. (Awnings with pillars, stairs or ramps leading to a structure)
3 - Structural Below Grade, feature attached to a structure and is located below the surface of a ROW. (Vaults, basements)
4 - Above Grade, feature that is not attached to a structure, appears above grade, and is secured to the surface of a ROW. (Bollards, bike racks, electrical/telecommunication cabinets)
5 - Below Grade, feature that is not attached to a structure and is located below the surface of a ROW. (Conduits, piping, monitoring wells)
6 - Land use, an area used for landscaping, decorative paving, berm parking or the placement of features not secured to the ROW.
7- Temporary Closure of a ROW.

Address: The current address of property where encroachment exits. The citation of property address of parcels are recorded on BS&A online and Wayne County Register of Deeds.

Note: Description of encroachment. Size, scale, and material information of encroachment are included.

J.C.C. Date: The approval date of encroachment recorded on J.C.C. “Null” of the field represents the J.C.C. information was missed in the book. "Pending" means the encroachment is being processing.

J.C.C. Page: The page number of J.C.C. page recorded on the Encroachment Books. “Null” of the field represents the J.C.C. information was missed in the book.

Renewal: The validation of recorded encroachments. Including already renewed encroachment or needs to be renewed encroachment, since encroachment petition cannot be transferred to the new owner once the property is rebuilt or sold. (This field will be updated after all historical recorded encroachments are digitized.)

Review: Refer to any comments.

Review ID: Unique ID generated for each feature.

Data Reference

Linen Map Markup Mosaic, updated by Ted Schultz, published on https://detroitmi.maps.arcgis.com.

Detroit Parcel Layer, updated by Assessors Office.

Encroachment Books, kept by Department of Public Work, City Engineering.

OpenGov, detroitmi.viewpointcloud.com

BS&A online, current owner and property address can be searched by parcel number on https://bsaonline.com.

Wayne County Register of Deeds, current owner and property address can be searched by parcel number on https://www.waynecountylandrecords.com.

Pictometry EagleView, providing oblique high-resolution imagery from different angle to help identify existed encroachment, https://explorer.pictometry.com.

Spatial Reference

WGS 1984 Web Mercator Auxiliary Sphere

Disclaimers

This data is created by Maps and Records Bureau using multiple base maps. While we make every reasonable effort to ensure the accuracy of the information, some of the information may not be complete, and may contain inaccuracies or errors. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information acquired from the data reference. We accept no responsibility or liability for the inaccurate measurements of the data, for examples, compared to current field measurements, and/or not aligned with high resolution aerial images.

If you need to verify other information relates to the data, please let us know by contacting us at: mapsandrecordsbureau@detroitmi.gov

Showcases featuring Right of Way Encroachments