Michigan law explicitly requires sellers to disclose a property’s proximity to airports — one of the few states where the word “airport” appears directly in the residential disclosure statute. For Michigan realtors working near Detroit Metro, Grand Rapids, or any of the state’s dozens of regional and general aviation airports, understanding what this obligation covers — and where it falls short — is essential to a legally sound practice.
The Law: Michigan Compiled Laws § 565.957
Michigan’s Seller Disclosure Act (MCL § 565.951 et seq.) requires sellers to complete a standardized Seller’s Disclosure Statement before signing a purchase agreement. The disclosure form, codified at MCL § 565.957, Section 7, specifically requires disclosure of the property’s proximity to:
- A landfill
- An airport
- A shooting range
This is a direct, item-specific requirement — not merely a catch-all material facts clause. If the property is near an airport, the seller must disclose that proximity on the state’s standard form.
What the statute does not specify: Michigan law does not define a precise distance threshold or dB level for airport proximity. The proximity question is a factual determination based on reasonable knowledge — if the seller knows the property is near an airport and that knowledge could affect a buyer’s decision, disclosure is required.
Key statute references:
- MCL § 565.951 et seq. — Michigan Seller Disclosure Act
- MCL § 565.957, Sec. 7 — Proximity to landfill, airport, or shooting range
Beyond the statutory form, Michigan agents also carry general duties under common law and professional licensing rules to disclose material facts — including noise impacts that a reasonable buyer would consider significant.
What “Proximity” Actually Means for Value
Michigan’s statute creates a binary disclosure: is the property near an airport or not? But the research shows the real question is more granular than a checkbox.
The peer-reviewed literature — including four decades of studies and the 2025 MIT/Tufts analysis — documents that aircraft noise depreciates home values at 0.6%–1.0% per decibel across all noise levels above approximately 40–50 dB DNL. A Michigan home worth $350,000 in a neighborhood exposed to 8 extra decibels of aircraft noise carries an estimated $16,800–$28,000 noise discount.
That discount exists regardless of whether the property appears on any official noise map — and regardless of whether the seller’s disclosure form registers anything beyond “yes, there’s an airport nearby.”
For Michigan realtors: The statute gets buyers to the question. Professional obligation requires you to help them find an actual answer.
Major Michigan Airports
| Airport | Market | Key Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| DTW (Detroit Metropolitan) | Metro Detroit / Wayne County | Major hub; established noise contour program; active residential adjacency |
| GRR (Gerald R. Ford International) | Grand Rapids | Growing market; commercial expansion ongoing |
| FNT (Flint Bishop International) | Flint / Genesee County | Regional hub; lower home values amplify percentage-of-equity impact |
| LAN (Capital Region) | Lansing | State capital market; mixed civilian/charter traffic |
| MBS (MBS International) | Saginaw / Bay City / Midland | Tri-cities market |
| PTK (Oakland County International) | Oakland County | High general aviation density in one of Michigan’s most affluent counties |
| Selfridge ANG Base | Macomb County | Military/civilian shared facility; active fighter operations |
Practical Checklist for Michigan Realtors
Before listing or making an offer within 15 miles of any Michigan airport:
- Complete the Seller’s Disclosure Statement accurately. MCL § 565.957 Sec. 7 asks directly about airport proximity. Answer based on your actual knowledge of the property’s location relative to airports — not solely on whether it’s inside an official noise zone.
- Pull the FAA Noise Exposure Map for the nearest airport at faa.gov/airports/environmental/airport_noise. Determine the property’s estimated DNL level and note it in the file, even if no formal disclosure of dB level is required.
- DTW-area transactions: Wayne County has an established noise compatibility program. Check the Metropolitan Wayne County Airport Authority’s published noise contours and confirm whether any Part 150 mitigation programs affect properties in the area.
- Oakland County general aviation: PTK sees heavy general aviation traffic in a high-value residential market. Even without commercial airline noise, repeated general aviation overflights can generate measurable noise discounts.
- Selfridge ANG Base: Military operations at Selfridge generate fighter jet noise with significant single-event sound levels. If the property is in any proximity to Selfridge flight paths, this warrants discussion with buyer clients.
- Use aircraftnoisereport.com for property-level noise data — especially valuable when the statutory “proximity” checkbox doesn’t translate into actionable information for buyers.
- Document your disclosure research. Note what airports are within relevant distance, what noise data you reviewed, and what you communicated to clients.
Buyer Counseling: The Proximity Checkbox Isn’t Enough
When a Michigan disclosure form shows an airport is “nearby,” sophisticated buyers will want to know:
- What is the property’s estimated dB DNL level?
- Is the property inside or outside the FAA’s official noise contour?
- Have flight paths changed recently due to NextGen implementation?
- What is the estimated value impact of current noise exposure?
A realtor who can walk a buyer through these questions — with documentation — delivers measurably better service than one who simply checks the box and moves on.
Get a Property-Level Aircraft Noise Report
Before your next Michigan transaction near an airport, run a report at aircraftnoisereport.com. Translate the statutory “proximity” disclosure into real, property-specific noise data your clients can act on.
This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed Michigan real estate attorney for guidance on specific disclosure obligations.