Custom Home Builder The Ann Arbor Area, MI
Building In The Ann Arbor Area
Each city and township decides what fits on a lot and how its natural land is protected. Several towns here have their own rules for wetlands, streams, the Huron River and larger trees, and several have historic districts.
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.
Where We Build In The Ann Arbor Area
Who Handles Permits
This varies from town to town. As the towns describe it on their own pages:
- Ann Arbor and Superior Township each have their own building department.
- In Dexter and Scio Township, the town approves how the home fits the lot, and the Washtenaw County Building Department issues the building permit.
- In Chelsea, the city approves the lot plan, and a local construction agency shared with nearby townships issues the building permit.
We find out who handles yours and deal with each office in the right order.
County Offices You May Meet
The towns’ own pages also point to Washtenaw County offices for a well and septic system, a driveway onto a county road, and keeping soil in place on a building site. Where a lot involves these, we arrange them.
What Changes From Town To Town
The towns publish their own rules on wetlands, streams and the Huron River, on protected trees, on historic districts, on whether an older house may come down, and on the hours a builder may work.
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 rules change.
Questions About Building In The Ann Arbor Area
Who issues building permits in the Ann Arbor area?
It depends on the town. Several towns have their own building department. In others, the county’s building department or a shared local agency issues the building permit after the town approves the lot plan. We find out who handles your lot and deal with them for you.
Are the building rules the same across the Ann Arbor area?
They differ from town to town. Each town publishes its own rules, which is why we have a page for each one. We check what applies to your lot with the town itself.
My lot has trees, a stream or wet ground. What does that mean?
Several towns here publish their own rules for these, and the town decides what applies to each lot. We have the lot looked at early and confirm with the town before the design goes far.
My lot is not in one of the towns listed. Can you still help?
Often we can. Tell us where the lot is, and we will let you know whether it is a fit.
How do I find out what applies to my lot?
Start with your town’s page above for an overview. For your own lot, the town decides. We go through its rules for your address with your designer and confirm with the town.
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.
How We Build Here
Custom Homes
On Your Lot
Design & Pre-Construction
Other Areas We Build In
