St. Clair County is a Thumb-region county of approximately 160,383 residents along the St. Clair River, which forms Michigan’s eastern international border with Ontario, Canada. The county seat is Port Huron, the northern terminus of both I-94 and I-69, where the Blue Water Bridge (opened 1938) connects the United States to Sarnia, Ontario — making Port Huron one of Michigan’s most significant international border crossings. St. Clair County’s identity is deeply maritime: the St. Clair River is one of the world’s busiest freshwater shipping channels for Great Lakes vessel traffic, and the county claims the highest number of recreational boat registrations per capita in the entire United States, as well as the world’s longest freshwater boardwalk along the river. The county’s economy is anchored in manufacturing (~14,800 workers) and healthcare (~11,200 workers), with cross-border commerce through the Blue Water Bridge supporting logistics and trade. The county median household income is approximately $69,349. All landlord-tenant matters are governed by Michigan state law (MCL 554.601 et seq.; MCL 600.5714 et seq.). Evictions file with the 72nd District Court, which has two locations. File at the location serving the area where your rental property is located.
8/10 — Affordable Detroit Metro Exurb/Maritime Community
⚖️ Eviction At-a-Glance
Nonpayment Notice
7-Day Demand for Possession
Lease Violation Notice
30-Day Notice to Quit
⚠️ Court
72nd DC — 2 locations; file by property area
Port Huron Civil
(810) 985-2077
Port Huron Hours
Mon–Thu 8am–4:30pm; Fri 9am–4:30pm
L-T Filing Fee
$55 (possession only)
⚠️ 72nd District Court — Two Locations
File at the location serving the area where your rental property is located.
Location
Address
Civil/L-T Phone
Hours
Port Huron
201 McMorran Blvd., Room 2900, Port Huron, MI 48060
(810) 985-2077
Mon–Thu 8am–4:30pm; Fri 9am–4:30pm
Marine City
2088 South Parker, Marine City, MI 48039
(810) 765-4057
Serves downriver portions of county
St. Clair County Local Regulations
No county-level landlord-tenant ordinances. Michigan state law governs all residential rental matters. File at the correct 72nd DC location for your property.
Category
Details
Local Ordinances
No county-level landlord-tenant ordinances. Port Huron, Marysville, St. Clair, Marine City, and individual townships maintain local property standards and housing code programs. Michigan state law governs all landlord-tenant matters countywide.
Rent Control
Prohibited statewide. No municipality in St. Clair 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). Civil remedy: actual damages or 3× monthly rent plus attorney fees (MCL 554.601d).
Cross-Border Note
St. Clair County borders Ontario, Canada across the St. Clair River. All Michigan landlord-tenant law applies to rental properties within St. Clair County, regardless of any cross-border ownership arrangements. Landlords with international ownership structures should consult a Michigan attorney for specific guidance.
Last verified: 2026-04-01
🏛️ St. Clair County Courthouse
72nd District Court — file at location serving your property
🏛️ Courthouse Information and Locations for Michigan
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💰 Eviction Cost Snapshot
Typical fees for a St. Clair County eviction (possession only: $55)
State statutes that apply throughout St. Clair 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 St. Clair County
Cities, villages, and townships
Port Huron Marysville St. Clair Marine City Fort Gratiot Township
St. Clair County
Screen Before You Sign
Manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics workers are the most stable applicants. File at the correct 72nd DC location for your property area. Possession-only filing fee is $55. Source-of-income law applies at 5+ unit properties as of April 2025.
A Landlord’s Guide to Renting in St. Clair County, Michigan
St. Clair County occupies a unique position in Michigan: it is simultaneously a Great Lakes maritime community, a Detroit metro exurb, and one of North America’s most significant international border crossings. Port Huron, the county seat, sits at the point where Lake Huron narrows into the St. Clair River — a 40-mile international boundary between the United States and Ontario, Canada. The Blue Water Bridge, which opened in 1938 and now consists of two parallel spans, carries I-94 and I-69 traffic between Port Huron and Sarnia, Ontario, making it one of Michigan’s busiest border crossings. The St. Clair River is one of the world’s most heavily trafficked freshwater shipping channels, with massive Great Lakes ore carriers and lakers passing continuously through; the riverside in Port Huron and St. Clair is a popular destination for vessel watching. The county claims the highest number of recreational boat registrations per capita in the entire United States, reflecting the deep connection between residents and the waterways surrounding them.
The 72nd District Court: Two Locations
St. Clair County landlord-tenant evictions file with the 72nd District Court, which operates from two locations. The Port Huron location at 201 McMorran Boulevard, Room 2900, Port Huron, MI 48060 handles the northern portion of the county; its Civil/Landlord-Tenant number is (810) 985-2077 and it is open Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Marine City location at 2088 South Parker, Marine City, MI 48039 handles the southern downriver portion of the county at (810) 765-4057. Always file at the location serving the area where your rental property is located. Possession-only landlord-tenant filing fee is $55. Security deposit compliance is standard Michigan: 1.5× maximum, 30-day return with itemized list, double damages for noncompliance under MCL 554.613. Michigan’s 2025 source-of-income law (MCL 554.601c, effective April 2, 2025) applies to all 5+ unit properties in St. Clair County.
Disclaimer: This page provides general information about landlord-tenant law in St. Clair County, Michigan and is not legal advice. Always verify the correct 72nd District Court location for your rental property and confirm current requirements before filing. Last updated: April 2026.
