Michigan permit starting points

Permit information,
without the scavenger hunt.

Compare official departments, application systems, inspection guidance, common documents, and project starting points across fifteen Michigan communities.

15Communities
8Project categories
100%Official source links
Showing15 communities
Washtenaw County

Ann Arbor

Building and Rental Services / Planning and Development

Official pages reviewedJuly 30, 2026

Applications

New building, trade, zoning, and planning applications are managed online through STREAM; A2Trak holds older permit history.

Open official application page →

Inspection guidance

Online scheduling

Inspections are requested and managed through STREAM. The city publishes scheduling cutoffs, presence requirements for occupied properties, inspection hours, and assigned inspector contacts; exact inspection types follow the approved permit.

Open official inspection page →

Common document checklist

  • STREAM account and online application
  • Plans or blueprints for proposed work
  • Contractor license registration or homeowner-permit information
  • Separate building and trade permit applications
  • Zoning compliance or historic-district approval when applicable

Choose a project above

Select a project to reveal a municipality-specific starting point. Final requirements always depend on the address and exact scope.

View official sources and verification notes +
Ann Arbor permitsAnn Arbor inspectionsAnn Arbor zoning compliance permits

Sources checked July 30, 2026. Links and summaries are provided as starting points; confirm current requirements, forms, fees, and inspection order directly with Building and Rental Services / Planning and Development.

Oakland County

Auburn Hills

Auburn Hills Community Development / Building Services

Official pages reviewedAugust 1, 2026

Applications

Building permits may be submitted in person; applications and plans under seven pages and no larger than 11×17 may be emailed to CDClerk@auburnhills.org. Trade permits use BS&A Online.

Open official application page →

Inspection guidance

Confirm exact sequence

Call 248-364-6949 by 4 p.m. the business day before the requested inspection, or schedule through BS&A Online. Provide the requested date, inspection type, job address, permit number, and contact name and phone. The city says an approved or disapproved inspection sticker is left at the premises.

Open official inspection page →

Common document checklist

  • Completed and signed permit application
  • Plans appropriate to the project
  • Two plot plans for a building-permit application
  • Applicant and contractor information
  • Trade-permit applications when applicable

Choose a project above

Select a project to reveal a municipality-specific starting point. Final requirements always depend on the address and exact scope.

View official sources and verification notes +
Building ServicesCommunity Development FAQ

Sources checked August 1, 2026. Links and summaries are provided as starting points; confirm current requirements, forms, fees, and inspection order directly with Auburn Hills Community Development / Building Services.

Oakland County

Birmingham

City of Birmingham Building Department

Official pages reviewedAugust 1, 2026

Applications

The city links online permit applications, printable forms, account instructions, and inspection requests.

Open official application page →

Inspection guidance

Confirm exact sequence

Birmingham states that inspections occur at periodic stages of permitted work. Use the city-linked BS&A inspection request path. Confirm rough inspection approval before covering structural or trade work.

Open official inspection page →

Common document checklist

  • Project address and complete scope
  • Comprehensive plans for applicable work
  • Owner, contractor, and trade information
  • Product, structural, and site details requested by review

Choose a project above

Select a project to reveal a municipality-specific starting point. Final requirements always depend on the address and exact scope.

View official sources and verification notes +
Building DepartmentPermit applications

Sources checked August 1, 2026. Links and summaries are provided as starting points; confirm current requirements, forms, fees, and inspection order directly with City of Birmingham Building Department.

Wayne County

Canton Township

Canton Building & Inspection Services

Official pages reviewedAugust 1, 2026

Applications

Project-specific building, deck, fence, grading, trade, compliance, planning, and engineering forms.

Open official application page →

Inspection guidance

Confirm exact sequence

Canton provides online inspection scheduling. The township notes that plan reviews may take up to 15 business days. HOA approval is separate from township permitting and remains the owner/applicant’s responsibility.

Open official inspection page →

Common document checklist

  • Project-specific permit application
  • Residential plot plan when required
  • Building and separate trade details
  • HOA, grading, planning, or engineering approvals handled separately when applicable

Choose a project above

Select a project to reveal a municipality-specific starting point. Final requirements always depend on the address and exact scope.

View official sources and verification notes +
Permits and applicationsInspection scheduling

Sources checked August 1, 2026. Links and summaries are provided as starting points; confirm current requirements, forms, fees, and inspection order directly with Canton Building & Inspection Services.

Oakland County

Farmington Hills

Farmington Hills Building Division

Official pages reviewedAugust 1, 2026

Applications

Since March 2026, building-permit applications and inspection requests are submitted online through the city’s BS&A portal.

Open official application page →

Inspection guidance

Confirm exact sequence

The city moved building inspection requests to BS&A Online in March 2026. Request the inspection from the permit record and keep the permit number and job location available. Do not conceal work that requires inspection; retain the approved permit record and stamped documents.

Open official inspection page →

Common document checklist

  • Completed permit application
  • Scaled plans or images when required for the permit type
  • Signed and notarized homeowner affidavit for homeowner applications
  • Applicable site, energy, drainage, soil-erosion, tree, or trade documents explicitly listed for the scope

Choose a project above

Select a project to reveal a municipality-specific starting point. Final requirements always depend on the address and exact scope.

View official sources and verification notes +
Building DivisionOnline transition noticeForms, permits and applications

Sources checked August 1, 2026. Links and summaries are provided as starting points; confirm current requirements, forms, fees, and inspection order directly with Farmington Hills Building Division.

Oakland County

Ferndale

Ferndale Community & Economic Development

Official pages reviewedAugust 1, 2026

Applications

Online forms, fee schedule, permit applications, payments, searches, and BS&A access.

Open official application page →

Inspection guidance

Confirm exact sequence

Contractors need a login tied to the permit for online scheduling. The calendar reflects current inspector availability and prevents overbooking. The system sends a confirmation email to the designated contacts.

Open official inspection page →

Common document checklist

  • Project location and complete scope
  • Site plan with property-line dimensions when required
  • Lot coverage, open-space, and drainage information when applicable
  • Owner, contractor, and trade details

Choose a project above

Select a project to reveal a municipality-specific starting point. Final requirements always depend on the address and exact scope.

View official sources and verification notes +
Permit CenterBuilding servicesInspection scheduling

Sources checked August 1, 2026. Links and summaries are provided as starting points; confirm current requirements, forms, fees, and inspection order directly with Ferndale Community & Economic Development.

Wayne County

Livonia

Livonia Inspection Department

Official pages reviewedAugust 1, 2026

Applications

Homeowner and contractor instructions for applications, payments, history, and inspections.

Open official application page →

Inspection guidance

Confirm exact sequence

Requests verified before 3:30 p.m. are generally scheduled for the next business day. Contact the inspector between 8:30 and 9 a.m. on inspection day for an AM or PM window. The residential application warns that permits can be cancelled after six months without a requested and conducted inspection.

Open official inspection page →

Common document checklist

  • Project-specific application checklist
  • Plans and plot plan when required
  • Building and separate trade applications
  • Contractor registration or homeowner affidavit

Choose a project above

Select a project to reveal a municipality-specific starting point. Final requirements always depend on the address and exact scope.

View official sources and verification notes +
Inspection DepartmentResidential permit libraryBS&A account instructions

Sources checked August 1, 2026. Links and summaries are provided as starting points; confirm current requirements, forms, fees, and inspection order directly with Livonia Inspection Department.

Oakland County

Novi

Community Development – Building

Official pages reviewedJuly 30, 2026

Applications

Novi publishes residential permit forms and uses BS&A Online for permit applications, payments, inspection requests, and history.

Open official application page →

Inspection guidance

Online scheduling

Homeowners and contractors can request inspections online through Novi’s BS&A portal. The exact rough, site, trade, and final sequence should be taken from the approved permit and confirmed before concealment.

Open official inspection page →

Common document checklist

  • Building and applicable trade permit applications
  • Residential drawings and project requirements
  • Wetland/Woodland Affidavit for listed residential work
  • Land Improvement or grading documents when drainage is affected
  • Zoning compliance, soil erosion, or woodland review documents when applicable

Choose a project above

Select a project to reveal a municipality-specific starting point. Final requirements always depend on the address and exact scope.

View official sources and verification notes +
Novi forms and permitsNovi online inspections

Sources checked July 30, 2026. Links and summaries are provided as starting points; confirm current requirements, forms, fees, and inspection order directly with Community Development – Building.

Oakland County

Rochester Hills

Building, Ordinance and Facilities

Official pages reviewedAugust 1, 2026

Applications

The city uses a digital building-permit process with online applications through BS&A and city residential requirement documents.

Open official application page →

Inspection guidance

Confirm exact sequence

The department administers permit and inspection activity, but homeowners should use the approved permit documents or contact the department for the exact project sequence before concrete or concealed work.

Open official inspection page →

Common document checklist

  • Digital building or trade permit application
  • Scaled plot plan when required for zoning review
  • Project plans and specifications
  • Residential contractor registration information
  • Supporting site, structural, or trade documentation requested for scope

Choose a project above

Select a project to reveal a municipality-specific starting point. Final requirements always depend on the address and exact scope.

View official sources and verification notes +
Rochester Hills Building, Ordinance and FacilitiesRochester Hills online permit applicationRochester Hills permit fee schedules, forms, and wood deck checklist

Sources checked August 1, 2026. Links and summaries are provided as starting points; confirm current requirements, forms, fees, and inspection order directly with Building, Ordinance and Facilities.

Oakland County

Royal Oak

Building Inspection

Official pages reviewedJuly 30, 2026

Applications

Online permit applications, fee payment, and inspection requests are offered through the city’s linked AccessMyGov service.

Open official application page →

Inspection guidance

Online scheduling

Royal Oak directs users to create an online account for permits and inspections and request a PIN from Building Inspection. Confirm the project’s structural and trade inspection sequence with the city or assigned inspector.

Open official inspection page →

Common document checklist

  • Residential building permit application when applicable
  • Project plans or sketches appropriate to scope
  • Separate electrical, plumbing, or mechanical applications
  • Contractor registration information
  • Project valuation and fee information

Choose a project above

Select a project to reveal a municipality-specific starting point. Final requirements always depend on the address and exact scope.

View official sources and verification notes +
Royal Oak Building InspectionRoyal Oak Building Division

Sources checked July 30, 2026. Links and summaries are provided as starting points; confirm current requirements, forms, fees, and inspection order directly with Building Inspection.

Macomb County

Shelby Township

Building Department

Official pages reviewedJuly 30, 2026

Applications

The township publishes downloadable and online applications, fee schedules, project procedures, inspection requests, and supporting worksheets in one department library.

Open official application page →

Inspection guidance

Published project guidance

Shelby Township publishes an Order of Inspections resource, required-inspection guidance, scheduling information, and project-specific outlines. Use the exact project outline and approved permit documents.

Open official inspection page →

Common document checklist

  • Building and applicable trade permit applications
  • Certificate of zoning compliance when applicable
  • Project-specific procedure checklist and drawings
  • Energy worksheet for additions or renovations when applicable
  • Grading, fence, gas-sizing, or other project-specific acknowledgements

Choose a project above

Select a project to reveal a municipality-specific starting point. Final requirements always depend on the address and exact scope.

View official sources and verification notes +
Shelby Township Building Department directory

Sources checked July 30, 2026. Links and summaries are provided as starting points; confirm current requirements, forms, fees, and inspection order directly with Building Department.

Macomb County

Sterling Heights

Sterling Heights Office of Building

Official pages reviewedAugust 1, 2026

Applications

Official department page with applications, FAQs, property permit search, and inspection access.

Open official application page →

Inspection guidance

Confirm exact sequence

The city states that inspection fees are included in the permit fee. Current building applications direct applicants to schedule inspections online. Search permit information by property address or parcel number through the city-linked system.

Open official inspection page →

Common document checklist

  • Job location and owner contact details
  • Detailed description of work
  • Plans and project dimensions
  • Contractor, valuation, and separate trade information

Choose a project above

Select a project to reveal a municipality-specific starting point. Final requirements always depend on the address and exact scope.

View official sources and verification notes +
Office of BuildingBuilding permit application

Sources checked August 1, 2026. Links and summaries are provided as starting points; confirm current requirements, forms, fees, and inspection order directly with Sterling Heights Office of Building.

Oakland County

Troy

Building Inspection

Official pages reviewedJuly 30, 2026

Applications

City forms and online services; confirm the current submission method for the selected permit.

Open official application page →

Inspection guidance

Online scheduling

Troy’s Building Inspection navigation provides separate contractor and homeowner inspection-scheduling links plus inspection call numbers. Use the permit record to confirm the required inspection order before concealment.

Open official inspection page →

Common document checklist

  • Building or trade permit application
  • Project drawings or scope documents as required
  • Site or plot information for exterior footprint work
  • Contractor and owner information
  • Supporting engineering or specialty forms when requested

Choose a project above

Select a project to reveal a municipality-specific starting point. Final requirements always depend on the address and exact scope.

View official sources and verification notes +
Troy permits, requirements and inspection navigationTroy residential checklist resources

Sources checked July 30, 2026. Links and summaries are provided as starting points; confirm current requirements, forms, fees, and inspection order directly with Building Inspection.

Macomb County

Warren

City of Warren Building Division

Official pages reviewedAugust 1, 2026

Applications

Online homeowner and contractor permit applications, inspection scheduling, forms, and fee schedules.

Open official application page →

Inspection guidance

Confirm exact sequence

Warren publishes separate homeowner and contractor scheduling links. Building services covers permits, inspections, zoning, city certifications, and certificates of occupancy. Confirm the required inspection sequence for the exact permit before concealment.

Open official inspection page →

Common document checklist

  • Building permit and plan-review application
  • Plans, dimensions, and project valuation
  • Owner and contractor information
  • Separate electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fence, or sidewalk forms

Choose a project above

Select a project to reveal a municipality-specific starting point. Final requirements always depend on the address and exact scope.

View official sources and verification notes +
Building DivisionPublic Service Department

Sources checked August 1, 2026. Links and summaries are provided as starting points; confirm current requirements, forms, fees, and inspection order directly with City of Warren Building Division.

Oakland County

West Bloomfield Township

West Bloomfield Township Building Division

Official pages reviewedAugust 1, 2026

Applications

Register with BS&A, then call Building staff to link the township record or use an existing PIN before applying.

Open official application page →

Inspection guidance

Confirm exact sequence

The township links online inspection scheduling from the same BS&A workflow. Select the permit record and requested inspection in the signed-in portal. Confirm which inspection must occur before work is covered or concealed.

Open official inspection page →

Common document checklist

  • Permit application and complete work description
  • Project drawings or specifications requested for the scope
  • Contractor or homeowner account information
  • Applicable building and trade permit details

Choose a project above

Select a project to reveal a municipality-specific starting point. Final requirements always depend on the address and exact scope.

View official sources and verification notes +
Building DivisionOnline permits and inspections

Sources checked August 1, 2026. Links and summaries are provided as starting points; confirm current requirements, forms, fees, and inspection order directly with West Bloomfield Township Building Division.

How to use this directory

Research first.
Confirm before work.

  1. Filter by city and project.Use the record to find the responsible department and likely document path.
  2. Open the official source.Requirements and forms can change after our verification date.
  3. Ask for the exact inspection sequence.Never conceal work until the required inspection is approved.
  4. Put responsibilities in the contract.Name who applies, pays, schedules, corrects, and closes each permit.
Important: HomeScope Guide is not a government agency. This directory summarizes official starting points and does not determine whether a permit is required. The municipality controls current requirements for the exact property and project.