The Bureau of Construction Codes, Building Division of the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs issues

A. NAME OF PERMIT OR APPROVAL:

Building Permit

B. STATUTORY AUTHORITY:

STILLE-DEROSSETT-HALE SINGLE STATE CONSTRUCTION CODE ACT, 1972 PA 230

C. APPLICABLE REGULATION:

Michigan Building Code, Part 4 Rules

D. SUMMARY OF PERMIT/APPROVAL PROCESS:

 1.  Applicability (activities that require the permit)

The Building Code The purpose of the building code is to insure public safety, health and welfare insofar as they are affected by building construction, through structural strength, adequate egress facilities, sanitary equipment, light and ventilation, and fire safety; and, in general, to secure safety to life and property from all hazards incident to the design, erection, repair, removal, demolition or use and occupancy of buildings, structures or premises.

What is a building code? The 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. The 2006 Michigan Building Code went into effect statewide on August 1, 2008. Provisions for one- and two-family dwellings, townhouses and their accessory structures as identified in R101.2 are included in the 2006 Michigan Residential Code.

Are building permits necessary? Before construction of a building or structure, an owner, or the owner's builder, architect, engineer, or agent, shall submit an application in writing to the appropriate enforcing agency for a building permit. A permit is also required when the use or occupancy of a structure or portion thereof is changed.

A permit is not required for ordinary repairs. Ordinary repairs to structures may be made without permit, but such repairs shall not include the cutting away of any wall, partition or portion thereof, the removal or cutting of any structural beam or bearing support, or the removal or change of any required means of egress, or rearrangement of parts of a structure affecting the exit requirements; nor shall ordinary repairs including addition to, alteration of, replacement or relocation of any standpipe, water supply, sewer, drainage, drain leader, gas soil, waste, vent or similar piping, electric wiring or mechanical or other work affecting public health or general safety.

 2.  Pre-Application Requirements

Building code enforcement may be conducted by a local unit of government. Prior to making application for a building permit it is suggested you contact your local unit of government for direction in contacting the jurisdiction having enforcement authority. The Bureau of Construction Codes has a Statewide Jurisdiction List available that shows if a unit of government has State, County, or Local code enforcement.

 3.  Application Submission Requirements

A person engaged in the construction of a residential structure or a combination residential and commercial structure must be licensed as a Residential Builder with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. There are certain exceptions in the licensing law (P.A. 299 of 1980, as amended) to this requirement.

A set of construction documents is required with each application for a permit. The submission of construction documents may be waived by the building official when code compliance can be determined based on the description in the application. Construction documents must be sealed and signed by an architect or professional engineer in accordance with P.A. 299 of 1980, as amended. The seal and signature is not required for one and two family dwellings less than 3500 square feet of calculated floor area and public works less than $15,000 in total construction cost. For other exceptions refer to P.A. 299 of 1980, as amended.

Requirements for Obtaining Building Permits from the Bureau of Construction Codes:

A. Residential Structures (One-and Two-Family Residential with less than 3,500 square feet of calculated floor area)

·         Building Permit Application (BCC-324).

·         Minimum of two (2) sets of plans that include the following:

-Foundation and floor plans

-Roof and wall section

-Building elevations

-Site plan

B. Commercial Structures (Including One-and Two-Family Residential with more than 3,500 square feet of calculated floor area)

·         Building Permit Application (BCC-324)

·         Copy of plan review approval letter. Plan review must be approved prior to a building permit being issued

C. Mobile and Pre-manufactured Homes

·         Building Permit Application (BCC-324)

·         Minimum of two (2) sets of plans for the foundation and the method of anchoring the unit to the foundation

·         Site plan

·         For Michigan approved pre-manufactured units; one (1) copy of the Building System Approval and the approved plans

Building Permit Application

 4.  Procedures and Time-Frame for Obtaining Permit or Approval

Permits are issued within 10 working days of receipt of completed application and fees by the Bureau of Construction Codes.

 5.  Operational Requirements

Work shall not be started until the application for permit has been filed and approved by the Bureau of Construction Codes. All installations shall be in conformance with the Michigan Building Code or the Michigan Residential Code. No work shall be concealed until it has been inspected. The telephone number for the inspector will be provided on the permit form. When ready for an inspection, call the inspector providing as much advance notice as possible. The inspector will need the job location and permit number.

A permit remains valid as long as work is progressing and inspections are requested and conducted. A permit shall become invalid if the authorized work is not commenced within six months after issuance of the permit or if the authorized work is suspended or abandoned for a period of six months after the time of commencing the work. A PERMIT WILL BE CLOSED WHEN NO INSPECTIONS ARE REQUESTED AND CONDUCTED WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF THE DATE OF ISSUANCE OR THE DATE OF A PREVIOUS INSPECTION. CLOSED PERMITS CANNOT BE REFUNDED OR REINSTATED.

 6.  Fees

Building permit fees may be obtained from the Bureau of Construction Codes, by calling the Building Division, (517) 241-9317.

You will need to furnish the following information when calling:

·         Total square footage of the structure

·         Use group (i.e., "R-3"use group for single family homes, "U" use group for detached garages, pole barns, etc.)

·         Type of construction ("5B" for wood frame construction)

If you submit your building permit application and plans without money, your application will be put on hold and you will receive an invoice for the building permit fee.

 7.  Appeal Process

Construction Code - Part 3 - Appeal Boards and Hearings

 8.  Public Input Opportunities

Comments and Complaints: bccinfo@michigan.gov

Bureau of Construction Codes Web-site: www.michigan.gov/bcc [1]

E. Contact Information:

Contact Us

Creation/Revision Date:

October 1, 2010