Saginaw County is one of Michigan’s larger mid-state counties with approximately 188,665 residents in the Saginaw River valley. The county seat is the City of Saginaw, a post-industrial city of approximately 43,000 with a demographic profile reflecting its history as a major auto industry manufacturing center: the county is 67.8% White, 18.1% Black, and 9.2% Hispanic, making it one of mid-Michigan’s more diverse large counties. Saginaw County is part of the Saginaw-Midland-Bay City Combined Statistical Area, the fifth-largest metropolitan area in Michigan. The county’s economy has transitioned significantly since the decline of its auto manufacturing base, and the city of Saginaw itself faces persistent challenges including a high poverty rate (city poverty rate approximately 33.5%). The county median household income is approximately $60,622. Median rent in Saginaw city runs approximately $905. All landlord-tenant matters are governed by Michigan state law (MCL 554.601 et seq.; MCL 600.5714 et seq.). Evictions file with the 70th District Court at 111 S. Michigan Avenue (3rd Floor), Saginaw, MI 48602. Civil Division: (989) 790-5380; Mon–Fri 8am–5pm (no filings after 4:45pm).
No county-level landlord-tenant ordinances beyond state law. The City of Saginaw has its own housing code programs. Michigan state law governs eviction procedures countywide.
Category
Details
Local Ordinances
The City of Saginaw maintains a housing code enforcement program. Landlords with properties in the city should verify current registration and housing code requirements. Michigan state law governs all landlord-tenant matters countywide.
Rent Control
Prohibited statewide. No municipality in Saginaw County may impose rent caps or stabilization measures.
Security Deposit
Capped at 1.5× monthly rent (MCL 554.602). Return within 30 days of move-out with itemized list or face double-damages liability (MCL 554.613).
Source-of-Income (2025)
Effective April 2, 2025, Michigan prohibits source-of-income discrimination at 5+ unit properties statewide (MCL 554.601c). Given Saginaw County’s significant Section 8 voucher population, landlords with 5+ unit properties may not discriminate against voucher holders. Civil remedy: actual damages or 3× monthly rent plus attorney fees (MCL 554.601d).
Eviction Mediation
The Community Resolution Center offers mediation services that may help resolve landlord-tenant disputes before or during the court process. Call (989) 799-5949 or email crc@mediation-crc.org. Legal Services of Eastern Michigan provides free legal assistance to income-eligible tenants in Saginaw County.
Filing Deadline Note
The 70th District Court does not accept filings or payments after 4:45 p.m. Plan court visits accordingly. Corporations must be represented by an attorney in landlord-tenant proceedings.
Last verified: 2026-04-01
🏛️ Saginaw County Courthouse
70th District Court — Saginaw, MI
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State statutes that apply throughout Saginaw County
⚡ Quick Overview
7
Days Notice (Nonpayment)
7-30
Days Notice (Violation)
30-60
Avg Total Days
$45-150
Filing Fee (Approx)
💰 Nonpayment of Rent
Notice Type7-Day Demand for Possession
Notice Period7 days
Tenant Can Cure?Yes - tenant can pay full rent within 7 days to stop eviction. After judgment, tenant has 10 business days to pay judgment amount or vacate.
Days to Hearing10-30 days
Days to Writ10 days
Total Estimated Timeline30-60 days
Total Estimated Cost$200-$600
⚠️ Watch Out
Notice period matches rent payment schedule (7 days for monthly tenants). Use official form DC 100a. After judgment, tenant gets 10 business days to pay judgment amount or move - if paid within 10 days, case over. Consent judgments can be set aside within 3 days if tenant was unrepresented. Corporations/partnerships must have attorney. 24-hour notice for illegal drug activity (with police report).
Serve the required notice based on the eviction reason (nonpayment or lease violation).
Wait for the notice period to expire. If tenant cures the issue (where allowed), the process stops.
File an eviction case with the District Court - Summary Proceedings. Pay the filing fee (~$45-150).
Tenant is served with a summons and has the opportunity to respond.
Attend the court hearing and present your case.
If you prevail, obtain a writ of possession from the court.
Law enforcement executes the writ and removes the tenant if necessary.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This page provides general information about Michigan eviction laws and does not constitute legal advice.
Eviction procedures can vary by county and may change over time. Local jurisdictions may have additional requirements or tenant protections.
For specific legal guidance, consult a qualified Michigan attorney or local legal aid organization.
🔍 Reduce Your Risk Before Signing a Lease:
Michigan landlords who screen tenants carefully before signing a lease significantly
reduce their risk of ending up in eviction court. Understanding
tenant screening in Michigan —
including background checks, credit history, income verification, and rental references — is one of the most
cost-effective steps you can take to protect your rental property. Before you ever need Michigan's
eviction process, proper tenant screening can help
you identify red flags early and avoid problem tenancies altogether.
Ready to File?
Generate Michigan-Compliant Legal Documents
AI-generated, state-specific eviction notices, pay-or-quit letters, lease termination documents, and more — pre-filled with your tenant's information and built to Michigan requirements.
Select your state, eviction reason, and the date you plan to serve notice. We'll calculate your earliest filing date and key milestones.
⚠️ Disclaimer: These calculations are estimates based on state statutes and typical court timelines. Actual results vary by county, court backlog, and case specifics. Always verify current requirements with your local courthouse. This is not legal advice.
Underground Landlord
🏙️ Major Communities in Saginaw County
Cities, townships, and villages
Saginaw Frankenmuth Saginaw Township Chesaning
Saginaw County
Screen Before You Sign
Healthcare, government, and manufacturing workers are the most stable applicants. Verify income thoroughly given the city’s high poverty rate. Source-of-income law applies at 5+ unit properties as of April 2025. File before 4:45pm.
A Landlord’s Guide to Renting in Saginaw County, Michigan
Saginaw County is a study in the Midwest’s deindustrialization story. At its peak in the mid-20th century, the city of Saginaw was one of Michigan’s most important auto industry manufacturing centers, home to General Motors plants that produced steering gear, transmissions, and other components. The GM presence attracted a large and diverse working-class population from across the American South and from Mexico, creating the demographic diversity that distinguishes Saginaw County from most of mid-Michigan — approximately 18% Black and 9% Hispanic, compared to Michigan’s overall figures. As auto manufacturing contracted and plants closed through the 1980s and 1990s, the city of Saginaw experienced severe population loss (from a peak of over 100,000 to under 45,000 today) and persistent poverty challenges. The city’s poverty rate of approximately 33.5% is among the highest of Michigan’s mid-sized cities, and median home values in the city itself are far below the county median.
The Bifurcated County Market
The most important practical reality for Saginaw County landlords is the difference between renting in the city of Saginaw versus the surrounding suburban and rural townships. Saginaw Township, Thomas Township, Kochville Township, and other suburban communities surrounding the city have higher incomes, stronger housing markets, and lower vacancy rates than the city proper. Frankenmuth, in the northeastern corner of the county, is a thriving tourism-based community with a distinctive Bavarian-German character, high household incomes, and a very different rental market from the city. Landlords should calibrate their screening processes, security deposit levels, and lease terms to the specific sub-market in which their property is located.
The 70th District Court
Saginaw County landlord-tenant evictions file with the 70th District Court at the Saginaw County Governmental Center, 3rd Floor, 111 S. Michigan Avenue, Saginaw, MI 48602. The Civil Division phone is (989) 790-5380. Court hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; however, no filings or payments are accepted after 4:45 p.m. Corporations must be represented by an attorney. The Community Resolution Center ((989) 799-5949) offers mediation services that may help resolve landlord-tenant disputes. Security deposit compliance is standard Michigan: 1.5× maximum, 30-day return with itemized list, double damages for noncompliance under MCL 554.613.
Disclaimer: This page provides general information about landlord-tenant law in Saginaw County, Michigan and is not legal advice. Always verify current requirements with the 70th District Court or a licensed Michigan attorney before taking legal action. Last updated: April 2026.
