Complaint Investigations
Western Upper Peninsula Health Department responds to public health-related complaints and other issues involving unsanitary conditions that may cause illness or spread disease.
To file a complaint, please complete the online Complaint Form to provide us with the information we need to investigate your concern. Complaint Forms must be complete before an investigation will be started. You may be contacted by an Environmental Health Sanitarian for additional information, so be sure your day time contact information is accurate.
If we cannot verify your identity or contact you for follow-up, your complaint will not be investigated.
-- Complaints WUPHD Will Investigate --
Examples of common complaints WUPHD investigates include restaurant employees not wearing gloves while handling food, sewage surfacing from a failing septic system, and tattoos being performed in someone’s home.
Western Upper Peninsula Health Department Environmental Health staff may call you to discuss the complaint or incident and gather more information. We will evaluate the complaint to determine if the situation is within the regulatory scope of the health department. We may refer the complaint to the appropriate state, township, or city agency.
- We may call the responsible party to see if they are aware of the issue, and to discuss what they are doing to remediate the situation.
- We may go to the complaint site to confirm the complaint information and gather more information.
- Michigan’s Public Health Code, and local codes and ordinances within WUPHD’s jurisdiction will be enforced if the complaint investigation finds violations.
--Complaints WUPHD Will Not Investigate--
Western UP Health Department will not investigate complaints for which the agency does not have enforcement authority. Examples include:
- Animal Waste and Disposal of Dead Animals: Visit the Michigan Department of Agriculture
- Mold & Pests – The health department does not have the equipment or resources to test for mold, harmful substances, or remove bed bugs. Information about these topics is available on this website.
- Buildings – If you are concerned about abandoned or unmaintained buildings on a property, contact your township or city government building office.
- Junk – WUPHD does not have the authority to establish or enforce blight ordinances. If you’re concerned about junk accumulation on a property, please contact your township or city government office.
- Air Quality and Odors – Please refer to the Air Quality Division of the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).
- Farming – We do not evaluate farming practices or agriculture-related manure storage and application practices. Complaints of this type should be directed to Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development.
- Rental Disputes – We cannot assist in breaking lease agreements, security deposit refunds, or suing responsible parties. Please seek legal counsel for assistance in these matters.
- Customer Service Complaints – WUPHD does not handle basic customer service complaints related to food service establishments (rude staff, lost reservations, or incorrect orders. Please report these incidents to the facility’s management.
- Medical Advice – We cannot provider medical advice. If you have concerns about your health, please see your health care provider.
Environmental Emergency - If your complaint is concerning an environmental emergency, please call 911 to report the incident.
Complaints regarding gas stations, grocery stores, bakeries, meat processing (ADD), and other retail establishments should be directed to the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development.
The health department does not have regulatory authority over these facilities.
To submit a complaint regarding environmental health matters, please complete our online
Complaint Submission Form