Who fixes potholes in Lansing?

The City of Lansing Department of Public Works is responsible for pothole repair and roadway maintenance; report defects via the Public Works service page.

How is an illegally parked or abandoned vehicle removed?

Code Enforcement or the Lansing Police Department enforces parking and abandonment rules and may order towing and impoundment; contact the agencies listed on the municipal pages to begin the reclaim process.

Do I need a permit to place a structure or landscaping in the public right-of-way?

Yes—encroachments into the right-of-way generally require a permit from Engineering/Permits; obtain the application and submit plans as directed by the department.

Lansing Bylaws: Potholes, Vehicle Removal & Encroachments

Transportation Michigan 3 Minutes Read · published March 01, 2026

Lansing, Michigan residents and contractors must follow city bylaws for pothole reporting, removal of abandoned or illegally parked vehicles, and encroachments into the public right-of-way. This guide explains which departments enforce rules, how to report defects or request permits, typical enforcement steps, and how to appeal or apply for relief. Use the official city contacts and code references linked below when you need to report a hazard, reclaim an impounded vehicle, or secure an encroachment permit.

Penalties & Enforcement

The City of Lansing assigns responsibility by topic: Public Works handles pothole repair and roadway maintenance, Code Enforcement and Police handle vehicle removal and towing, and Engineering or Permits issues encroachment permissions and right-of-way controls. Exact fine amounts and penalty schedules are not consistently listed on the department pages; where numeric fines or schedules are published they appear in the municipal code cited below. For department contacts and reporting, use the official pages linked here.Public Works^[1] Municipal Code^[2] Engineering/Permits^[3]

Common enforcers: Department of Public Works, Code Enforcement, Lansing Police Department.
Fines: specific dollar amounts are not specified on the cited department pages; see the municipal code for ordinance fines and schedules.^[2]
Escalation: many violations may be cited as first offence and escalate to higher fines or civil penalties for repeat or continuing offences; specific escalation tables are not specified on the cited pages.
Non-monetary remedies: repair orders, stop-work orders, removal orders for encroachments, vehicle impoundment and release conditions, and court actions.
Inspectors and complaints: submit reports to Public Works or Code Enforcement via the department pages linked above; emergency hazards should be reported to 911 if immediate danger exists.

Appeals and review procedures are typically set in the municipal code or permit terms and often include a time limit to request review; check the specific ordinance or permit conditions.

Applications & Forms

Permit forms and application procedures for encroachments, street openings, or right-of-way work are administered by Engineering/Permits. The department page lists how to request permits but does not publish all fee schedules or downloadable form names on the main page; where a specific application PDF or fee appears it is linked from the Engineering/Permits page.^[3]

Encroachment/Right-of-Way permit: name and fee not specified on the cited Engineering page; contact the permits office for the current application and fee.
Vehicle release/impound forms: not specified on the department landing pages; vehicle owners should contact Code Enforcement or Police to learn required forms and fees.
Deadlines: permit submittal deadlines and review times vary by project and are set by the permits office or the applicable ordinance.

Action Steps

To report a pothole: use the Public Works reporting channel on the official site and provide precise location and photos when possible.^[1]
To request removal or reclaim a vehicle: contact Code Enforcement or the Police Department for the impound procedure and required documents.^[2]
To apply for an encroachment permit: contact Engineering/Permits to obtain the application, fee schedule, and submittal checklist.^[3]

FAQ

Who fixes potholes in Lansing?: The City of Lansing Department of Public Works is responsible for pothole repair and roadway maintenance; report defects via the Public Works service page.^[1]
How is an illegally parked or abandoned vehicle removed?: Code Enforcement or the Lansing Police Department enforces parking and abandonment rules and may order towing and impoundment; contact the agencies listed on the municipal pages to begin the reclaim process.^[2]
Do I need a permit to place a structure or landscaping in the public right-of-way?: Yes—encroachments into the right-of-way generally require a permit from Engineering/Permits; obtain the application and submit plans as directed by the department.^[3]

How-To

Locate the exact address or GPS coordinates of the pothole or encroachment area and take clear photos.
Find the appropriate department page: Public Works for potholes, Code Enforcement/Police for vehicle issues, Engineering for encroachment permits.
Use the online report form or call the department to submit the issue; include photos and contact information.
Follow instructions from the department for permit applications, payment of fees, or vehicle reclaim; keep copies of all correspondence.
If you receive a citation or order, note the appeal or review deadline and submit a written appeal per the municipal code or permit instructions.

Keep copies of photos, applications, and correspondence in case you need to appeal or provide evidence to the city.

Key Takeaways

Report potholes and hazards promptly to Public Works to improve repair response times.
Contact Engineering/Permits before placing anything in the public right-of-way to avoid removal orders or fines.