Requirements for Obtaining Building Permits

• Application for Building Permit
• Minimum of one set of paper plans and one electronic set plans (if available) that include the following:
  • Foundation and floor plans.
  • Roof and wall section.
  • Building elevations.
  • Site plan

• Application for Building Permit
• Copy of site plan review approval letter. Plan review must be approved prior to a building permit being issued.
• One set of stamped and sealed drawings and one electronic set of plans that include the footing/foundation plans, roof/wall sections, elevations and all other requirements.

• Application for Building Permit
• Minimum of one set of plans for the foundation and the method or anchoring the unit to the foundation
• Site plan
• For Michigan approved premanufactured units; one copy of the Building System Approval and the approved plans

Page 1 of the application: Complete all applicable sections. Note section II(c). If the homeowner is doing the construction enter "Homeowner" in the contractor information space.

Page 2 of the application: Enter the information as required. You MUST enter work description.

Page 3, Section VI of the application: Must be completed by the permit applicant and signed.

Section VII: Must be completed by City Staff.

Building permit fees are calculated based on the Community Planning & Economic Development department fee schedule. When your permit is approved, you will receive an invoice with the total calculated cost. You can find information on fees by reviewing the fee schedule online or by calling 311 or (269) 337-8000. The total fees depend on the total square footage of the structure, the use group, the type of construction, and other factors.

Please call the 311 or (269) 337-8000 at least two days before you need an inspection. A minimum of three inspections are required on most structures. It is the permit holder's responsibility to call for inspections, prior to the construction being covered.

Foundation Inspection

Footing Inspection: Prior to placing concrete in piers, trenches and formwork.

Backfill Inspection: Prior to backfill and after the footings, walls, waterproofing, and drain tile are installed.

Rough Inspection

Call for a rough inspection after the roof, all framing, firestopping, bracing, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing rough installations are in place, but before the insulation is installed.

Final Inspection

Call for a final inspection after all work is completed but before occupancy occurs.

A new building or a building that is altered shall not be used or occupied until a Certificate of Occupancy is issued by the code official. The permit holder or their authorized agent must request a Certificate of Occupancy upon the completion of the project. This request may be verbal, but it is recommended that a written request be sent in. Requests should include the building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permit numbers, and the Office of Fire Safety approval number if applicable. A Certificate of Occupancy cannot be issued until all permits are finaled and the work covered by a building permit has been completed in accordance with the permit, the code, and other applicable laws and ordinances. If an electrical, mechanical, plumbing permit or fire safety approval is not required write “not applicable” on the request form in the appropriate space.