Ontonagon County is Michigan’s third-least populous county with approximately 5,816 residents in the western Upper Peninsula along the Lake Superior shoreline. The county seat is the village of Ontonagon (~1,262 residents), one of the smallest county seats in Michigan. Ontonagon County holds a striking geographic distinction: at longitude 89.5°W, it is the westernmost county in the United States contained entirely within the Eastern Time Zone. The county’s median age of 59.1 years is the highest of any Michigan county, reflecting a deeply retirement-oriented population with deep roots in the region’s copper mining heritage. The Copper Country copper mining economy — centered on the Ontonagon area from 1845 until the closure of the White Pine Mine in 1995 — has left a post-industrial economy now anchored by healthcare, retail, and tourism driven by the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park (one of Michigan’s largest and most visited state parks) and Lake Superior recreation. The county median household income is approximately $51,844, with a very low cost of living index of 79.0. All landlord-tenant matters are governed by Michigan state law (MCL 554.601 et seq.; MCL 600.5714 et seq.). Evictions file with the 98-2 District Court at 725 Greenland Road, Ontonagon, MI 49953, phone (906) 884-2865.
Former copper mining; Porcupine Mountains; Lake Superior; westernmost Eastern Time Zone county in U.S.
Landlord Rating
7/10 — Very Small UP Rural/Retiree Market
⚖️ Eviction At-a-Glance
Nonpayment Notice
7-Day Demand for Possession
Lease Violation Notice
30-Day Notice to Quit
Court
98-2 DC — 725 Greenland Rd., Ontonagon
Court Phone
(906) 884-2865
Judge
Judge Michael D. Findlay
Avg Timeline
21–57 days start to finish
Ontonagon County Local Regulations
No county-level landlord-tenant ordinances. Michigan state law governs all residential rental matters.
Category
Details
Local Ordinances
No county-level landlord-tenant ordinances. The village of Ontonagon and townships maintain local property standards. Michigan state law governs all landlord-tenant matters countywide.
Rent Control
Prohibited statewide. No municipality in Ontonagon County may impose rent caps or stabilization measures.
Security Deposit
Capped at 1.5× monthly rent (MCL 554.602). Given Ontonagon County’s very low cost of living (index 79.0), rents and deposit maximums are among Michigan’s lowest. Return within 30 days of move-out with itemized list or face double-damages liability (MCL 554.613).
❄️ UP Winter Habitability
Ontonagon County is in Michigan’s western Upper Peninsula, where winter conditions are severe and prolonged. Under MCL 554.139, landlords must maintain rental properties in a condition fit for habitation. This includes maintaining adequate heat, weatherproofing, and structural integrity. Western UP counties receive some of the heaviest lake-effect snowfall in the continental United States. Failure to maintain heating and weatherproofing in UP rentals during winter can constitute a habitability violation and may expose landlords to tenant remedies including rent withholding.
Post-Industrial Economy
The White Pine copper mine, which closed in 1995, was the last major copper mine in Michigan’s Copper Country. Its closure eliminated hundreds of stable mining jobs and accelerated the county’s population decline. The current economy relies on healthcare, retail, county government, and Porcupine Mountains tourism. Year-round employment is limited; landlords should carefully verify income stability for applicants.
Last verified: 2026-04-01
🏛️ Ontonagon County Courthouse
98-2 District Court — Ontonagon, MI
🏛️ Courthouse Information and Locations for Michigan
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State statutes that apply throughout Ontonagon 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.
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⚠️ 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
🏙️ Communities in Ontonagon County
Villages and townships
Ontonagon Rockland Bruce Crossing Mass City
Ontonagon County
Screen Before You Sign
Healthcare, government, and Porcupine Mountains tourism workers are the most stable applicants. Verify income stability carefully in this post-industrial economy. Ensure all properties have adequate heating before winter — MCL 554.139 habitability obligations are especially critical in the UP.
A Landlord’s Guide to Renting in Ontonagon County, Michigan
Ontonagon County sits at the western edge of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula along the Lake Superior shoreline, and its statistics tell a story of a region that has been through profound economic transformation. With 5,816 residents and a median age of 59.1 years — the highest of any Michigan county — Ontonagon County is one of the most dramatically aging communities in the state. It is also the westernmost county in the United States that lies entirely within the Eastern Time Zone (at longitude 89.5°W), a quirk that speaks to the Upper Peninsula’s distinct character as a northward extension of Wisconsin geography that happens to be part of Michigan. The county seat, the village of Ontonagon, sits where the Ontonagon River meets Lake Superior and has a population of about 1,262 — making it one of Michigan’s smallest county seats.
From Copper Country to the Porcupine Mountains
Ontonagon County is part of Michigan’s historic Copper Country, a region that experienced one of the most significant mining booms of the 19th century. The Ontonagon River area was one of the earliest copper mining sites in North America — the famous Ontonagon Copper Boulder, a massive naturally occurring chunk of copper weighing 3,708 pounds, was removed from the west branch of the Ontonagon River in 1842 and eventually transported to the Smithsonian Institution. Large-scale copper mining continued in the region from 1845 until 1995, when the White Pine Mine — the last major copper mine in the area — closed permanently. That closure eliminated hundreds of stable mining jobs and began the demographic decline that has made Ontonagon County one of Michigan’s most sparsely populated and rapidly aging communities. Today, the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park (over 60,000 acres, one of Michigan’s largest) is Ontonagon County’s most significant economic asset, drawing hikers, skiers, backpackers, and Lake Superior visitors year-round.
The 98-2 District Court and UP Habitability
Ontonagon County landlord-tenant evictions file with the 98-2 District Court at 725 Greenland Road, Ontonagon, MI 49953, phone (906) 884-2865, before Judge Michael D. Findlay. UP landlords have a heightened obligation under Michigan’s habitability statute (MCL 554.139) to maintain properties in fit condition for occupancy. In Ontonagon County, where winter brings among the heaviest lake-effect snowfall in the continental United States and sustained below-zero temperatures, this means landlords must ensure adequate heating systems, weatherproofing, and structural integrity before and throughout winter. 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 Ontonagon County, Michigan and is not legal advice. Always verify current requirements with the 98-2 District Court or a licensed Michigan attorney before taking legal action. Last updated: April 2026.
