Custom Home Builder in Ann Arbor, MI
Building In Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor protects the natural features of its land more carefully than most cities: large trees, woods, steep slopes, streams, wetlands and land that floods. Many of its older neighborhoods are historic districts as well.
Every application goes in online, and we prepare and submit it.
We work alongside your architect or designer. They lead the design. We help make sure it fits the lot and the city’s rules, keep you informed at every step, and build it with care.
What To Know Before You Build In Ann Arbor
This is what the City of Ann Arbor itself publishes. Each link goes to the city’s own page, which is the one to rely on.
Permits
The city has its own building department, and its page says every permit is applied for online. The city does not publish a review time for a new home, so we will give you a realistic picture when we talk. The city’s engineers approve driveways and work in the street separately.
Source: City of Ann Arbor, Construction and Building. Checked October 11, 2026.
Trees, Slopes, Streams And Wetlands
The city’s development code protects seven kinds of natural feature, including woodlands, landmark trees, steep slopes, streams and wetlands. As published, a strip of 25 feet is kept around wetlands and streams, and the code lists a grading permit before the building permit for clearing or grading that touches one of these. We have the lot looked at early, so the home is placed with these in mind.
Source: City of Ann Arbor, Unified Development Code, 9th Edition, effective May 26, 2024. Checked October 11, 2026.
Street Trees
The city’s page says trees along the street belong to the city. It lists a street tree permit for any work that affects one, including removing or trimming it. We plan the driveway and utility lines to avoid them where we can.
Source: City of Ann Arbor, Street Tree Permits. Checked October 11, 2026.
Historic Districts
In a historic district, the city lists the Historic District Commission’s approval for all work on the outside of a property, and that includes a new home. Whether a building there may come down is the Commission’s decision, and the city describes it as approved only in limited cases. The Commission meets on the second Thursday of each month.
Source: City of Ann Arbor, Historic Preservation, Applications. Checked October 11, 2026.
Land That Can Flood
The city’s floodplain page rules out new buildings in the main path of floodwater. On the land around it, the page describes a new home with its lowest floor raised above the flood level the city sets. We check your lot against the maps early.
Source: City of Ann Arbor, Building in the Floodplain. Checked October 11, 2026.
Taking Down An Old House
Whether a house may come down is the city’s decision for each property. As published, the city issues the permit once each utility confirms in writing that its connection has been removed and sealed, and the property taxes are shown as paid. We check with the city for your address and collect these.
Source: City of Ann Arbor, City Code, Construction Code. Checked October 11, 2026.
This page is general information, not legal advice or an official answer. The City of Ann Arbor decides what is allowed on each property, and its rules change. For anything official, Ann Arbor Construction and Building is on (734) 794-6263. We are always happy to check with them for you.
Questions About Building In Ann Arbor
What does Ann Arbor’s code ask each utility to confirm before a house comes down?
Whether a house may come down is the city’s decision for each property. Its code asks for each utility to confirm in writing that service is removed, and in a historic district the city describes it as approved only in limited cases. We check with the city for your address and handle the application.
Which trees does Ann Arbor protect: landmark trees, street trees or both?
The city sets the rules for trees. It protects woodlands and landmark trees, and its page says street trees belong to the city. We check the current rules for your property and plan the home around them.
How wide a strip does Ann Arbor’s development code keep around streams and wetlands?
The city’s development code sets this. It lists a strip of 25 feet kept around wetlands and streams. We have the lot looked at early.
What does Ann Arbor’s floodplain page say about a new home near floodwater?
The city’s floodplain page rules out new buildings in the main path of floodwater. On the land around it, the page describes a new home with its lowest floor raised above the flood level the city sets. We check your lot against the maps early.
What does Ann Arbor’s noise code list as hours for building work?
The city sets the hours. Its code lists them as 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday to Saturday, with no work on legal holidays. Those hours are ours to follow.
This is general information, not legal advice or an official answer. The City of Ann Arbor decides what is allowed on each property. Sources: the City of Ann Arbor pages linked above, and its City Code, Noise Control. Checked October 11, 2026.
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