Building Inspector

The Inspection Department processes all permits and performs all inspections for Building, Electrical, Mechanical and Plumbing activities within the City. The Inspection Department also processes all Zoning activities, including:

• Sign Permit Application (PDF)
• Mechanical Permit (PDF)
• Electrical Permit(PDF)
• Plumbing Permit (PDF)
• Building Permit (PDF)
• Building Permit Fees (PDF)
• Downtown Dumpster Permit Form (PDF)

Building Permits must be obtained from the Inspection Department before beginning any construction, remodeling, mechanical, electrical, or plumbing work valued in excess of $100. Purely cosmetic (non-structural) changes such as painting are exempt.

Rental Permits: Administration, scheduling, and inspection of all rental properties. See Rental Inspection Ordinance, Rental Registration Form (PDF) or Short Term Rental Registration/Inspection (PDF) form.

Tenants: If you are the tenant of a rental property, please contact this department if you have any property maintenance concerns involving your apartment. (i.e. no heat, no hot water, etc.) We will contact the landlord on your behalf to ensure that any code violations are corrected promptly.

Inspection Department News
The City will be enforcing the following codes:

• 2009 Michigan Building Code
• 2009 Michigan Residential Code
• 2008 Michigan Electrical Code
• 2009 Michigan Mechanical Code
• 2009 Michigan Plumbing Code
• 2003 International Fire Code
• 2003 International Property Maintenance Code

The Inspection Department will have Code Books available for purchase or you may purchase them directly from the State of Michigan:

Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services
Bureau of Construction Codes
P.O. Box 30255, Lansing, MI 48909
(517) 241-9313

With the building boom still in full swing, Building Department employees are working hard to keep up with the inspection requests, plan reviews, permit issuances, code questions, etc.

To cut down on delays, please be sure to include ALL necessary documentation when submitting plans for review. For Building Permits, please be sure to include two sets of blueprints.

If you have any questions about these topics, please contact the City and we will be glad to help you.