How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Barry County, MI?

The minimum permit fee is $25 for decks, porches, signs, farm buildings, and standing-alone lean-tos. Fees are calculated as: $50 for other construction such as houses, in-ground pools, detached accessory buildings over 200 sq ft, and lean-to attached to an existing building. Plan check fee: County zoning fee schedule shows site plan review at $250 and special use or variance at $300.

County Building Permits

Barry County, MI - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Barry County, Michigan. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Michigan Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

County unincorporated areas and county-administered planning/zoning functions; many county townships also use county planning staff for zoning and land division

Department: Barry County Planning Office / Barry County Planning and Zoning
Address: 220 W State St, Hastings, MI 49058, Room 6
Phone: 269-945-1290
Website: https://www.barrycounty.org

Application Process

Contact Barry County Planning and Zoning at 269-945-1290 for zoning, land division, address assignment, and soil erosion questions; if building code enforcement is assigned through PCI, use the PCI Hastings office process and portal

Source: Barry County Planning Office / Barry County Planning and Zoning

General Requirements

County zoning permits are required for items such as decks, porches, signs, farm buildings, lean-tos, houses, pools, and detached accessory buildings as described in the county fee schedule

Required Documents

County fee materials reference site plans, surveys, and related development materials; exact document list depends on permit type

Permit validity: Soil erosion and zoning permits are valid for a maximum of 12 months; land division permits are valid for a maximum of 6 months
Building code: Michigan 2021 Building Code current on the state code page

Fees

Minimum permit fee: $25 for decks, porches, signs, farm buildings, and standing-alone lean-tos
Plan check fee: County zoning fee schedule shows site plan review at $250 and special use or variance at $300
Permit fee formula: $50 for other construction such as houses, in-ground pools, detached accessory buildings over 200 sq ft, and lean-to attached to an existing building
Penalty (no permit): After-the-fact permit fee is $250 when work starts before a zoning, land division, or soil erosion permit

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Barry County Planning Office / Barry County Planning and Zoning to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Typical inspection sequence: For county zoning items, submit application and supporting documents, then county staff/site inspection as required; for PCI building permits, apply online, upload documents, receive permit, then schedule inspections

Additional Resources

Building code: Michigan 2021 Building Code current on the state code page
Barry County relocation
PCI Hastings office
Michigan code books
License lookup guide: Michigan Contractor License Requirements
Contract template: Michigan Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
Michigan hub: Michigan Contractor License & Permit Hub

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Barry County Planning Office / Barry County Planning and Zoning before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Barry County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Barry County, MI?: County zoning permits are required for items such as decks, porches, signs, farm buildings, lean-tos, houses, pools, and detached accessory buildings as described in the county fee schedule
How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Barry County, MI?: The minimum permit fee is $25 for decks, porches, signs, farm buildings, and standing-alone lean-tos. Fees are calculated as: $50 for other construction such as houses, in-ground pools, detached accessory buildings over 200 sq ft, and lean-to attached to an existing building. Plan check fee: County zoning fee schedule shows site plan review at $250 and special use or variance at $300.
How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Barry County, MI?: 1. Contact Barry County Planning and Zoning at 269-945-1290 for zoning, land division, address assignment, and soil erosion questions; if building code enforcement is assigned through PCI, use the PCI Hastings office process and portal

Need help with your project?

Navigating permits in Barry County Unincorporated Area can be complicated.

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.

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