Southfield, MI. – When a cold front moved in earlier this month, a Southfield family wanted to have some fun, so they built an igloo in their front yard.
They did not know that trying to keep the igloo from melting would result in the city telling them they needed zoning and building approval to have a canopy up to block the sun.
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The city told Local 4 the rule is in place to protect residents during winter weather.
Justin Roberts is a dad to three girls under 5 years old.
Roberts said it all started when he, his wife, and their three girls, were tired of being cooped up in the cold.
“My wife had a great idea to get lasagna trays and dye some water and turn them into blocks and we built an igloo right behind me,” Roberts said.
Soon after, they had a fully formed frozen fortress.
“It was about this tall and all the kids could go in it and all the neighborhood kids came around and played in it for a couple of weeks,” Roberts said.
Then, the sun started to come out.
“We decided to put a pop up canopy over it and I believe that’s where this whole thing began,” Roberts said.
Roberts said the tent was at an angle and was not up for days at a time, or even a whole day. He said his wife was rotating it as the sun moved. Soon enough, they got the notice from the city.
“Zoning and building approval is required for the canopy in the front yard,” the notice said. “Please obtain proper approvals or remove this illegal structure.”
He said he made a few calls and asked what code he had violated.
“They told me there isn’t actually a building code but they used a nuisance code and that language for situations like these,” Roberts said.
Frustrated, he sent emails asking for clarification and whether the violation could be erased.
“They said, ‘No, we will just correct it if we come by and see that you have taken it down,’” Roberts said.
The city told Local 4 that because the tent was removed, the violation was abated and no ticket was issued.
Roberts said he still feels he did nothing wrong.
“If I did something wrong, I will take it on the chin, but I didn’t violate any building codes and they were clear about that, too, and I didn’t have any illegal structures on my property,” he said.
For now, he said his girls will be playing with their smaller ice toys instead of their igloo.
“If their priorities are a shade that’s clearly over a kids igloo on a warm day for the last couple of days it was going to be frozen, I have got to kind of reconsider the city I live in or who I vote for,” Roberts said.
“We understand and appreciate the family’s effort to create a fun experience for their children, and we recognize that this was intended as a temporary setup,” the city of Southfield said in a statement. “On February 5, a Southfield Code Enforcement Officer observed a canopy tent installed in the front yard without the required permits. A formal case was opened on February 9, and a warning notice was sent to the property owner on February 10 outlining the need for zoning and building approval. City Ordinance requires permits for all accessory structures, including temporary ones. These requirements are in place to help keep residents safe, especially during winter weather, and to ensure structures meet placement regulations such as setbacks and front-yard restrictions. The property owner contacted the City on February 16 and 17 to seek clarification and to contest the warning notice. City staff explained that permit requirements apply regardless of how long a structure is in place. The structure has since been removed, abating the violation and no ticket has been issued. This case has now been closed. We encourage residents to contact the City’s Planning or Building Departments with any questions so we can help them stay in compliance while still enjoying their outdoor spaces.”