Who Issues a Building Permit in Southeast Michigan?
Why It Is Not Always The Town
On top of the building permit, other approvals often come from somewhere else.
We work alongside your architect or designer. They lead the design. We help make sure it fits the lot and the town’s rules, keep you informed at every step, and build it with care.
The Arrangements You Will Meet
The Town Does It All
Most towns in Oakland, Wayne and Macomb counties describe their own building department, which reviews the plans, issues the permit and carries out inspections. West Bloomfield and Troy are examples.
The Town First, Then The County
In several Livingston and Washtenaw County towns, the town approves how the home sits on its lot, and the county’s building department then issues the building permit. Dexter and Scio Township describe this arrangement. The county will not start until the town has signed off, so the order matters.
A Shared Department
Some smaller towns share a building department with a neighbor. Clarkston describes its permits as handled by Independence Township. Chelsea uses a local agency shared with nearby townships.
A Split
In the City of Brighton, the city describes issuing the building permit itself, while the county handles the electrical, plumbing and heating permits and the inspections.
The Other Offices
Whoever issues the building permit, a lot may also involve:
- The county health department, for a well and a septic system
- A county road agency, for a driveway onto a county road
- A county office that looks after soil on building sites, through a soil erosion permit
- A historic district commission or a design review board, in towns that have one
- A homeowners association, whose rules are separate from the town’s
We find out which apply to your lot and deal with each in the right order.
This page is general information, not legal advice or an official answer. Each town, and the county where it is involved, decides what is allowed on each property, and the arrangements change.
Questions About Building Permits
How do I find out who issues the permit for my lot?
Your town’s page on our site says how that town describes it. For your own lot, we confirm with the town and deal with whichever offices are involved.
Why does the county issue permits in some towns?
Michigan lets a town run its own building department or leave it to the county.
Do I apply to each office myself?
We prepare and submit the applications for you, and handle the questions that come back.
How long do permits take?
It varies by town and by project. Some towns publish their own estimate, and many do not.
Does my homeowners association’s approval count as a permit?
The two are separate. We check both with you before the design goes far.
This is general information, not legal advice or an official answer. Each town decides what is allowed on each property. Sources: the official pages linked from each town page. Checked October 11, 2026.
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