Michigan building departments
Find local permit offices, inspection services, and official resources across Michigan.
How permitting works in Michigan
Single statewide code, local or state enforcement. Michigan's construction codes are statewide rules. A city, township, or county enforces them where it has a program; otherwise the state does.
A county name is only a geographic starting point. Depending on the address, a city, town, borough, township, or county office may issue your permit. How to check who issues your permit.
Michigan building codes and licensing
- Residential code
- 2015 Michigan Residential Code (2015 IRC with Michigan amendments, R 408.30500 et seq.); rules last amended effective Feb. 8, 2022
- Commercial code
- 2021 Michigan Building Code (2021 IBC with Michigan amendments, R 408.30401 et seq.); effective April 9, 2025
- Contractor licensing
- LARA licenses residential builders and maintenance and alteration contractors under Article 24 of the Occupational Code (MCL 339.2401 et seq.), and applicants must complete approved prelicensure courses. Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical trades fall under separate Skilled Trades Regulation rules. LARA – Residential Builders and Maintenance & Alteration Contractors (opens in a new tab)
What is different in Michigan
- Michigan uses one state construction code adopted as administrative rules in parts: building (Part 4), residential (Part 5), plumbing (Part 7), electrical (Part 8), mechanical (Part 9A), and energy (Parts 10 and 10a).
- Commercial and residential editions differ. Commercial work uses the 2021-based Michigan Building Code, while one- and two-family dwellings still use the 2015-based Michigan Residential Code.
- Permits, inspections, and fees are governed statewide by Construction Code Part 2 (R 408.30201 to R 408.30221).
Michigan department guides
Browse Michigan counties
Alcona CountyAlger CountyAllegan CountyAlpena CountyAntrim CountyArenac CountyBaraga CountyBarry CountyBay CountyBenzie CountyBerrien CountyBranch CountyCalhoun CountyCass CountyCharlevoix CountyCheboygan CountyChippewa CountyClare CountyClinton CountyCrawford CountyDelta CountyDickinson CountyEaton CountyEmmet CountyGenesee CountyGladwin CountyGogebic CountyGrand Traverse CountyGratiot CountyHillsdale CountyHoughton CountyHuron CountyIngham CountyIonia CountyIosco CountyIron CountyIsabella CountyJackson CountyKalamazoo CountyKalkaska CountyKent CountyKeweenaw CountyLake CountyLapeer CountyLeelanau CountyLenawee CountyLivingston CountyLuce CountyMackinac CountyMacomb CountyManistee CountyMarquette CountyMason CountyMecosta CountyMenominee CountyMidland CountyMissaukee CountyMonroe CountyMontcalm CountyMontmorency CountyMuskegon CountyNewaygo CountyOakland CountyOceana CountyOgemaw CountyOntonagon CountyOsceola CountyOscoda CountyOtsego CountyOttawa CountyPresque Isle CountyRoscommon CountySaginaw CountySt. Clair CountySt. Joseph CountySanilac CountySchoolcraft CountyShiawassee CountyTuscola CountyVan Buren CountyWashtenaw CountyWayne CountyWexford County
Planning a project in Michigan?
Start with what the model codes say, then confirm local rules with the department that serves your address.
Sources
- Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Construction Codes
- Michigan Administrative Code – Part 5 Residential Code (R 408.30500–408.30547g)
- Michigan Administrative Code – Part 4 Building Code (R 408.30401–408.30499a)
- Michigan Administrative Code – Residential Builders and Maintenance and Alteration Contractors (R 338.1511–338.1566)