Bay City, MI - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Bay City is listed as LOCAL for building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing in Michigan's Rev. 3/9/2026 Statewide Jurisdiction List.

Department

City of Bay City Building Department

Address

301 Washington Avenue, Suite 211, Bay City, MI 48708

Phone

989-894-8162

Email

Contact through city website

Website

https://www.baycitymi.gov/158/Building-Department

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Determine whether the work needs a permit using the city guidance and confirm zoning/exterior approvals when applicable.
2. Print the applicable building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, demolition, or plan review form from the city permits page.
3. Assemble the application, contractor registration, and plans. Commercial work needs sealed plans and plan review; residential over 3,500 square feet also needs sealed plans and plan review.
4. Submit the completed application to the Building Department or by mail.
5. Staff reviews for code and safety compliance, calculates fees, and any required zoning, engineering, floodplain, soil erosion, or historic district approvals must be cleared before issuance.
6. Pay permit fees.
7. Post the permit on site and call for required inspections until final approval and certificate of occupancy where applicable.

Source: City of Bay City Building Department

General Requirements

Before construction or work begins on projects requiring building, electrical, mechanical, or plumbing approval. Use and occupancy changes also trigger permits. The city's 'Do I Need a Permit' page lists common residential triggers.

Required Documents

• Completed application
• Contractor information
• Project description
• Site plan for new buildings, additions, or change of use
• Plan review materials where required
• Contractor registration for contractors

Building code

City states it adheres to the 2015 MI Residential Code on its 'Do I Need a Permit' page.

Owner-builder

Building application includes applicant certification and Section 23a warning. No separate owner-builder instruction page found.

Contractor requirements

City contractor registration is annual at $15 per license and requires state contractor license, driver's license, and liability insurance. Sign and demolition contractors also need a local license from the City Clerk.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$35.00 up to $500 construction cost; building permit base fee $25.00

Plan check fee

Building plan review is 0.0015 of estimated value up to $2,500,000 with $60 minimum. Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical plan review is 25% of permit fee per fee sheet.

Permit fee formula

Valuation-based schedule: $1,564 for first $100,000 plus $9 per additional $1,000 up to $500,000; $5,164 plus $8 per additional $1,000 up to $1,000,000; $9,164 plus $6 per additional $1,000 above $1,000,000

Trade permit fee

Per fee schedule

Payment note

City accepts cash, check, money order, and debit/credit card in person. Online or phone payments through third-party PSN add 2.75% for cards, plus $0.50 under $100, and e-check is $1.00; IVR adds $0.95.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2024).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached accessory structures not over 200 square feet
• Fence not more than 7 feet high, but zoning approval is still required
• Retaining wall not more than 4 feet high unless supporting surcharge, with zoning approval still required
• On-grade water tank under 5,000 gallons with ratio limits
• Sidewalk or driveway not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade
• Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
• Small above-ground prefabricated pool under the city thresholds, with zoning approval still required
• Swings and other playground equipment accessory to one- and two-family dwellings
• Certain window awnings in R3 and U occupancies
• Certain detached decks under the posted size/height/clearance conditions, with zoning approval still required
• Minor electrical, mechanical, and plumbing repairs

Important: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning requirements. Confirm with the Building Department before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• 989-894-8162 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Applicant must notify the inspector when work is ready.

Inspection hours

Building Department office hours posted as 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Additional Resources

• Building code: City states it adheres to the 2015 MI Residential Code on its 'Do I Need a Permit' page.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Do I Need a Permit
• Permits and Licenses
• Building Permit Information PDF
• License lookup guide: Michigan Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Michigan Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Michigan hub: Michigan Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Bay City Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Bay City, MI?

Before construction or work begins on projects requiring building, electrical, mechanical, or plumbing approval. Use and occupancy changes also trigger permits. The city's 'Do I Need a Permit' page lists common residential triggers.

How much does a building permit cost in Bay City, MI?

The minimum permit fee is $35.00 up to $500 construction cost; building permit base fee $25.00. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based schedule: $1,564 for first $100,000 plus $9 per additional $1,000 up to $500,000; $5,164 plus $8 per additional $1,000 up to $1,000,000; $9,164 plus $6 per additional $1,000 above $1,000,000. Plan check fee: Building plan review is 0.0015 of estimated value up to $2,500,000 with $60 minimum. Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical plan review is 25% of permit fee per fee sheet..

How do I apply for a building permit in Bay City, MI?

1. Determine whether the work needs a permit using the city guidance and confirm zoning/exterior approvals when applicable. 2. Print the applicable building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, demolition, or plan review form from the city permits page. 3. Assemble the application, contractor registration, and plans. Commercial work needs sealed plans and plan review; residential over 3,500 square feet also needs sealed plans and plan review. 4. Submit the completed application to the Building Department or by mail. 5. Staff reviews for code and safety compliance, calculates fees, and any required zoning, engineering, floodplain, soil erosion, or historic district approvals must be cleared before issuance. 6. Pay permit fees. 7. Post the permit on site and call for required inspections until final approval and certificate of occupancy where applicable.

What work is exempt from building permits in Bay City, MI?

The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures not over 200 square feet; Fence not more than 7 feet high, but zoning approval is still required; Retaining wall not more than 4 feet high unless supporting surcharge, with zoning approval still required; On-grade water tank under 5,000 gallons with ratio limits; Sidewalk or driveway not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade; Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work; Small above-ground prefabricated pool under the city thresholds, with zoning approval still required; Swings and other playground equipment accessory to one- and two-family dwellings; Certain window awnings in R3 and U occupancies; Certain detached decks under the posted size/height/clearance conditions, with zoning approval still required; Minor electrical, mechanical, and plumbing repairs. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning requirements. Confirm with the Building Department before proceeding.

How do I schedule a building inspection in Bay City, MI?

Inspections can be scheduled via: 989-894-8162. Applicant must notify the inspector when work is ready..

Other cities in Bay County