Anaya Nolan
In Michigan, building permits are required for any new construction or renovation projects. The process of obtaining a building permit in Michigan involves submitting an application, providing construction plans, and ensuring compliance with local regulations. The specific requirements may vary depending on the municipality and the scope of the project. In Detroit, for instance, construction documents must be reviewed by the Structural Division, whereas in Clinton County, a homeowner can act as their own general contractor and obtain the necessary permits. Michigan builders who fail to acquire the necessary permits for their projects may face legal consequences, including penalties and jail time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who can apply for a building permit | The owner, or the owner's builder, architect, engineer, or agent |
| Who issues building permits | Local municipality |
| Who acquires all necessary permits | Contractor |
| Who is held responsible if permits are not pulled | Homeowner |
| Who is responsible for issuing boiler, building, electrical, elevator, mechanical, and plumbing permits | Inspections Division |
| Who can answer questions about building permits in East Lansing | Building Inspector Tim Schultz |
| Who can answer questions about mechanical permits in East Lansing | Mechanical Inspector Joe Hardin |
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What You'll Learn
Building permit requirements
In Michigan, building permits are official documents issued by a local municipality that legally authorizes a construction project. Before construction of a building or structure, an owner or the owner's builder, architect, engineer, or agent must submit a building permit application to the appropriate enforcing agency. The application must include detailed construction plans to give the building department an in-depth understanding of the project.
The purpose of the building code is to ensure public safety, health, and welfare as they are affected by building construction. This includes structural strength, adequate egress facilities, sanitary equipment, light and ventilation, and fire safety. The Michigan Building Code controls all matters concerning the construction, alteration, addition, repair, removal, demolition, use, location, occupancy, and maintenance of all buildings and structures and their service equipment.
To acquire a permit, an application must be filed with the LARA (Licensing and Regulatory Affairs) department of the state of Michigan. The application must include the applicant's occupational license number and expiration date. The design of the building and/or facility and preparation of construction documents must be done by a licensed architect or professional engineer registered with the State of Michigan. The construction documents must include a complete site plan showing all existing and proposed structures, with indications of distances and locations of lot/property lines, widths of streets, rights-of-way, etc.
Separate permits are required for building, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC. Rough-in and final inspections are required for each of these permits, meaning two separate inspections for each phase. Any underground plumbing work will require additional inspections. Building permits in Michigan expire in 6 months. Once acquired, the builder must finish construction within that time frame, apply for an extension, or acquire another permit.
There are some projects that do not require a building permit in Michigan. These include ordinary repairs to a building or structure, replacement of lamps, or the connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles. Additionally, a permit is not required for a building used for agricultural purposes if it is not used in business.
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Who can apply for a building permit
In Michigan, building permits are official documents issued by a local municipality that legally authorizes a construction project. Before construction of a building or structure, the owner, or the owner's builder, architect, engineer, or agent, shall submit a building permit application. The application must be filed with the LARA (Licensing and Regulatory Affairs) department of the state of Michigan.
The building permit application form should contain the following statement in 8-point boldface type immediately above the location for the applicant's signature:
> "Section 23a of the state construction code act of 1972, 1972 PA 230, MCL 125.1523a, prohibits a person from conspiring to circumvent the licensing requirements of this state relating to persons who are to perform work on a residential building or a residential structure. Violators of section 23a are subjected to civil fines."
The applicant must also provide their occupational license number and the expiration date of the license. The design of the building and/or facility and the preparation of construction documents should be done by a licensed architect or professional engineer registered with the State of Michigan. The construction documents must be sealed and signed by the architect or professional engineer.
In addition, the applicant must provide three complete sets of construction drawings; one set of calculations and one complete set of specifications; and a complete site plan showing all existing and proposed structures, including distances and locations of lot/property lines, widths of streets, rights-of-way, etc.
It is important to note that separate permits are required for building, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC work. Rough-in and final inspections are required for each of these permits. Any underground plumbing work will require additional inspections. Building permits in Michigan expire after 6 months, after which the builder must apply for an extension or acquire a new permit.
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What to include in the application
In Michigan, building permits are issued by local municipalities, and an application must be filed with the LARA (Licensing and Regulatory Affairs) department of the state. The purpose of the building code is to ensure public safety, health, and welfare as they are affected by building construction, including structural strength, adequate egress facilities, sanitary equipment, light and ventilation, and fire safety.
Before applying for a building permit, it is recommended that applicants review the Statewide Jurisdiction List, as building code enforcement may be conducted by the state, county, or local unit of government. The application must then be submitted to the appropriate enforcing agency.
The building permit application form should include the following:
- A set of construction documents, including detailed construction plans. These must be sealed and signed by an architect or professional engineer, unless the building is a one- or two-family dwelling of less than 3500 square feet of calculated floor area, or a public works project with a total construction cost of less than $15,000.
- The occupational license number of the applicant and the expiration date of the occupational license.
- A statement in 8-point boldface type above the location for the applicant's signature, stating: "Section 23a of the state construction code act of 1972, 1972 PA 230, MCL 125.1523a, prohibits a person from conspiring to circumvent the licensing requirements of this state relating to persons who are to perform work on a residential building or a residential structure. Violators of section 23a are subjected to civil fines."
- For projects with more than 1 acre of total earth disturbance, a local soil erosion and sediment control permit is required.
- A copy of the geotechnical investigation and analysis report by a licensed professional engineer, showing the recommended foundation design and the presumptive soil bearing capacity.
- Information pertinent to the structural design required by the 2015 Michigan Building Code Sections 1603.1.1 through 1603.1.8, including earthquake design data and other loads.
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When a permit is not required
In Michigan, a building permit is not required for ordinary repairs to a building or structure. This does not include cutting into any wall, partition, or structural beam, or changing any required means of egress. Ordinary repairs also do not include any changes to standpipes, water supply, sewer, drainage, drain leaders, gas soil, waste, vent or similar piping, electric wiring, or mechanical or other work affecting public health or general safety.
Additionally, permits are not required for one-story detached accessory structures with a floor area of less than 200 square feet, fences under 7 feet in height, retaining walls under 4 feet in height that are not supporting a surcharge of 5,000 gallons, and sidewalks and driveways that are not more than 30 inches above the adjacent grade and are not over any basement or story below.
Electrical permits are not required for minor repair work, such as replacing lamps or connecting approved portable electrical equipment to installed receptacles. They are also not required for radio and television transmitting stations, though the provisions of the code do apply to equipment and wiring for power supply and the installation of towers and antennas. Temporary testing systems are exempt from requiring electrical permits as well.
Plumbing permits are not required for stopping leaks in pipes, valves, or fixtures, and for clearing stoppages or repairing leaks in pipes, valves, or fixtures. Permits are also not required for the removal and reinstallation of water closets, as long as the repairs do not involve the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes, or fixtures.
Mechanical permits are not required for portable heating or gas appliances with inputs of less than 30,000 BTU's per hour. They are also not required when changing or relocating a gas meter or regulator and installing gas piping of up to 10 feet in length and no more than 6 fittings.
Other exemptions from requiring permits include oil burners that do not need to be connected to a flue, such as oil stoves and heaters with wicks, and the installation of geothermal vertical closed loops under the supervision of a licensed HVAC mechanical contractor, as long as the company has obtained a certificate of registration as a well drilling contractor and has installed the loops according to the department of environment, Great Lakes, and energy's best practices.
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Permit expiry and renewal
Building permits in Michigan expire in 6 months. Once acquired, the builder must complete the construction within this timeframe, apply for an extension, or acquire another permit. Failing to acquire permits for projects can result in hefty penalties and even jail time for Michigan builders. Homeowners can also face several consequences when a builder performs unpermitted work, including the possibility of being left with a poorly constructed space, deterring buyers when selling the home, and the municipality legally requiring the removal of the constructed space.
To avoid such issues, it is important to understand the permitting process and ensure that all necessary permits are obtained before commencing any construction work. This includes permits for building, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC, as well as any additional permits that may be required, such as local soil erosion and sediment control permits for projects with significant earth disturbance or those within a certain distance of a body of water.
The application process for building permits in Michigan typically involves submitting detailed construction plans and ensuring compliance with the Michigan Building Code. This code is designed to ensure the safety, health, and welfare of the public by regulating various aspects of building construction, including structural strength, egress facilities, sanitary equipment, lighting, ventilation, and fire safety.
To renew or extend a permit, applicants can refer to the official Michigan government website for detailed instructions and requirements. It is also recommended to review the Statewide Jurisdiction List, as building code enforcement can be conducted by the state, county, or local unit of government, each with its own specific regulations and requirements.
Additionally, it is worth noting that certain exceptions and waivers may apply to the permitting process. For example, construction documents may be waived by the building official if code compliance can be determined based on the application description. Similarly, the seal and signature of an architect or professional engineer are not required for certain types of dwellings below a specific square footage or construction cost threshold.
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Frequently asked questions
The owner of the building or the owner's builder, architect, engineer, or agent can pull a building permit.
The Michigan Building Code ensures that all buildings and structures are safe and secure. It also ensures that the construction, alteration, repair, removal, and demolition of buildings are done while keeping in mind the public's safety, health, and welfare.
A building permit application must be submitted to the enforcing agency. The application must include detailed construction plans and documents that are signed and sealed by a licensed architect or professional engineer.
Ordinary repairs of a building or structure do not require a building permit. Additionally, specific equipment replacements and repairs, such as painting, tiling, and electrical repairs, do not require a permit.
