Sterling Heights building department

The Sterling Heights Office of Building, part of City Development, enforces the building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical codes for the whole city and supports the Board of Code Appeals. Besides trade permits it issues fence, fire alarm, fire suppression, roofing, demolition, concrete, sign and use permits, and it administers fence permits on behalf of the Planning Department. Permit and code-enforcement records are searchable around the clock on BS&A Online by address or parcel number.

Applying for a permit

Applications go in through BS&A Online, in person at the Building Department, or by mail to the Office of Building, 40555 Utica Road, Sterling Heights, MI 48313. All fees are due when you apply.

• Homeowners use the homeowner permit application on BS&A. No account or PIN is needed. You search for the property by address, parcel number or owner name, enter the permit type and work description, tick “Work is being done by the homeowner,” and estimate fees. The city charges a processing fee to submit. Paper building applications include a homeowner affidavit stating the owner will do the work in a home they live in or are about to occupy and will arrange the inspections. Homeowner applications also need a copy of the owner’s driver’s license.
• Contractors must be licensed and registered with the city before applying, and they apply through a BS&A account with a PIN. The city’s contractor registration form asks for a copy of the state license, a driver’s license, workers’ compensation and MESC employer information, and the email address and username on the BS&A account.

New homes

The new-home checklist calls for a building permit application, 2 sets of blueprints, heating plans and energy packets (or 1 PDF of each), and 1 plot plan. Engineering issues a separate soil erosion permit, which also needs a plot plan. The city notes that fees are subject to change on July 1 each year.

Common residential projects

The city publishes packets for concrete, decks, fences, gazebos and pergolas, pools and hot tubs, and sheds and garages.

Project	Sterling Heights rule
Shed of 50 sq ft or less	No permit, but it must meet the setbacks: 3 ft from the side lot line, 6 ft from the rear lot line and outside easements, 10 ft from the house, deck, pergola or gazebo
Shed of 51–200 sq ft	Building permit, 1 set of plans (plot plan, rat wall of at least 6” x 18” or footing, slab of at least 3½”, door no wider than 6 ft)
Shed or garage over 200 sq ft	Also needs construction drawings. A store material list is not accepted. Any wiring needs an electrical permit
Shed height	10 ft maximum on lots under ¼ acre, 15 ft on larger lots
Residential fence	No front-yard fences. 6 ft maximum without Board of Ordinance Appeals approval. Finished side faces out
Pool barrier	At least 48 in. high with no more than 2 in. of ground clearance. Gates must be self-closing and self-latching and open away from the pool

Fences under 7 ft are exempt from a building permit under the state code, but Sterling Heights still requires a fence permit as a land-use approval. Commercial fences and gates of any height need Fire Department and Planning approval.

Not sure what a project needs? The Ask an Inspector program sets up a meeting with an inspector to go over scope, zoning and code requirements. Leave a message on the hotline at (586) 446-2404.

Inspections

You schedule inspections online through BS&A. The city is trialing homeowner inspection windows (7:30–8:30 a.m. and 3:30–4:30 p.m.) for furnace and air-conditioner replacements, water heater replacements and electrical services. Book these at least seven days ahead and choose HCI as the inspection type. Then call the inspector directly:

• Plumbing: (586) 446-2355
• Electrical: (586) 446-2379 or (586) 446-2381
• Mechanical: (586) 446-2363 or (586) 446-2379

A furnace or AC reconnect needs both an electrical and a mechanical HCI.

Adopted codes

The city lists these codes as in force: 2015 Michigan Residential Code; 2021 Michigan Building, Mechanical and Plumbing Codes; 2023 Michigan Electrical Code; 2021 Michigan Commercial Energy Code; ICC A117.1-2017 for accessibility; and the 2024 International Fire Code with local amendments under Chapter 20 of the city code.

Certificates of occupancy for businesses

A business needs a new certificate of occupancy (C of O) when it moves into the city, changes ownership or changes use. Before signing a lease, check with Planning ([email protected]) that the use is allowed in the zoning district.

To apply, submit:

• a use permit application with fees
• the applicant’s driver’s license
• a floor plan showing entrances, exits, dimensions and square footage
• a business license from the City Clerk

Planning and Building review the application, and then the city schedules the inspections. Restaurants require every inspection type. Once all inspections pass, the C of O is emailed within 2 business days.

Office hours

City Hall is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The building office email is [email protected].