Migrant Labor Housing License Details & FAQ

The agricultural industry employs a substantial number of migrant farm workers in planting, cultivating, harvesting and packaging of the many labor-intensive crops grown in Michigan. Good housing is an essential element in securing an adequate supply of seasonal agricultural workers. Migrant housing exists throughout the Lower Peninsula of Michigan at approximately 870 licensed housing sites including 4,000 living units with a capacity for 23,000 persons.

Additional Links and Information:

• Public Act 368 of 1978

Licensing

• Fee: Non-refundable application fee of $5.00 multiplied by the maximum allowable occupancy of the camp
• Contact: Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development 517-284-5771
• Forms: MLH Application

Background

In Michigan, agricultural labor camps are licensed under the authority of Part 124 of Act 368 of the Public Acts of 1978, as amended.

In Part 124, an agricultural labor camp is defined as "a tract of land and all tents, vehicles, buildings, or other structures used as living quarters for five or more migratory laborers engaged in agricultural activities, including related food processing."

Licensing Process

• Applications for agricultural labor camp licenses are sent to camp operators in November of the year preceding the period of occupancy. The camp operator, according to the licensing law, is required to submit an application for a license at least 30 days prior to occupancy.
• A "pre-inspection checklist" is sent along with the license application to the operator. The operator is asked to conduct a self-inspection of the housing and appurtenances prior to requesting an inspection.
• Upon receipt of the completed application, arrangements are made to conduct an inspection of the housing and camp facilities.
• Sanitary survey of the water well is conducted as part of each licensing inspection. Water samples are collected for bacteriological and partial chemical analysis. The operator is billed by an EGLE approved lab for the cost of analysis and reporting.
• If the camp is found to be in compliance with the licensing rules at the time of the inspection, a full license is issued.
• If the camp is found to have minor infractions of the licensing rules, a temporary license may be issued with a specific time established for compliance. Depending on the type of violations cited, compliance may be verified by a follow-up inspection, or, a "self-certification of compliance" form may be left with the operator to verify compliance when it has been achieved. For the latter, once compliance has been achieved, the operator submits the self-certification form to MDARD and a full license is issued with no follow-up inspection.
• If the camp is found to be in substantial non-compliance with licensing rules, or if serious or life-threatening violations are found to exist, a license is not recommended. The operator is ordered to keep the housing unoccupied until the housing is brought into compliance and licensed.