Locksmith Services in Ann Arbor, MI

Homes and locks in Ann Arbor

Several of Ann Arbor's oldest neighborhoods are local historic districts. The Old West Side, south and west of downtown, is mostly modest 19th-century houses: gable-fronted, clapboard-sided, 1.5 to 2 stories, with wide front porches. The Old Fourth Ward, mainly northeast of downtown, has more than 400 resources, nearly a third built before 1900. The Division Street district, the city's first, includes Greek Revival houses such as the Kempf House.

The Historic District Commission's design guidelines favor keeping and repairing original doors, hardware and trim. They list a new screen, storm or security door that is not full view, or that has ornamentation, as not appropriate. Lock rekeying or lock repair works with the original door.

Businesses and buildings

Downtown's earliest stores were mostly wood-frame; a post-Civil War boom brought two- and three-story masonry buildings, and the Main Street district still has many narrow buildings with tall first-floor storefronts. From the 1870s a second business area grew on State Street beside the University of Michigan, mostly two-story early 20th-century buildings that include the Nickels Arcade.

Many Ann Arbor storefronts have recessed entries. The guidelines describe the historic storefront entry as a wood door or pair of doors with a large glass panel, recessed between display windows. They list altering a storefront among changes that can significantly affect a historic building and direct permit questions to the Historic District Commission.

Car trouble in Ann Arbor

In significant snowstorms the city can declare an on-street parking ban under Section 10:143 of city code Chapter 126. Bans are announced at least 12 hours ahead, and cars left on the street may be ticketed or towed. Streets without driveways or adequate off-street parking, such as in Pittsfield Village, can be exempt. During a ban, the city waives parking charges at its Ann & Ashley and Forest Avenue structures for cars entering after the announcement and leaving within 12 hours of the ban lifting.

The city advises anyone leaving town to arrange for someone with a spare key to move the car. If you have only one key or fob, see car key replacement.

On University of Michigan home football game days, on-street parking restrictions in the stadium area run from 8 a.m. to midnight, and vehicles may be towed.

Local rules worth knowing

Ann Arbor landlords must hold a Certificate of Compliance with the city housing code, Chapter 105, and tenants may see it on demand. The city's rental pre-inspection checklist lists these security items under Section 8:503:

• A deadbolt with a 1-inch throw on all unit entry doors.
• A privacy lock, such as a chain or hotel bar, on unit entry doors, with exceptions for fraternities, sororities, ICC co-ops and certain group homes.
• A peephole on the main unit entry door unless it has a window or sidelight.
• 5/8-inch dowel rods for sliding windows and doors, pin or ventilation locks on double-hung windows, and working sash locks.

The checklist also calls for removing hasps and barrel bolts from egress doors. A window-lock sheet in the packet says first-floor windows, and windows reachable from a platform or fire escape, need both regular locks and ventilation locks that let the window open up to 6 inches. This is general information, not legal advice.

Requesting service in Ann Arbor

Michigan Locksmith Pros takes service requests from homes, businesses and drivers in Ann Arbor. Mention whether the building is in a historic district and, for a rental, whether the landlord has approved lock work. See commercial locksmith, car lockout or the Michigan page.