Who Issues a Building Permit in Southeast Michigan?
Why It Is Not Always The Town
The building permit is rarely the only approval. A well, a driveway or a historic district each bring an office of their own, and we handle those too.
We work alongside your architect or designer. They lead the design. We keep you informed at every step and build it with care.
The Arrangements You Will Meet
The Town Does It All
Across most of Oakland, Wayne and Macomb counties, the town’s own building department reviews the plans, issues the permit and inspects the work. West Bloomfield and Troy work this way, and we file with them directly.
The Town First, Then The County
In parts of Livingston and Washtenaw counties, the town approves how the home sits on its lot and the county then issues the building permit. Dexter and Scio Township are examples. We take them in that order.
A Shared Department
Some smaller towns share a building department with a neighbor. Permits for Clarkston go through Independence Township, and Chelsea uses an agency shared with nearby townships. We know which door to knock on.
A Split
In the City of Brighton, the building permit comes from the city, while the electrical, plumbing and heating permits and the inspections sit with the county. We run both sides together.
The Other Offices
A lot can also involve the county health department for a well and a septic system, a road agency for a driveway, a soil erosion permit, a historic district commission or a homeowners association. We find out which apply and handle each.
General information, not legal advice. Each town, county and state office decides what applies to a property.
Questions About Building Permits
Who issues the permit for our lot?
It depends on the town. We confirm it for your address and deal with every office involved.
Why does the county issue the permit in some towns?
Some towns run their own building department and others leave it to the county. Either way the work is ours: we file where your lot calls for it.
Do we apply to each office ourselves?
No. We prepare and submit each application for you and handle the questions that come back.
How long do permits take?
It varies by town and by project. We file early and keep you up to date while the plans are reviewed.
Does our homeowners association’s approval count as a permit?
No, the two are separate. We check both with you before the design goes far.
General information, not legal advice.
Find Your Town
See All Service Areas