On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Bay City
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.
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
- Exempt One-story detached accessory structures not over 200 square feet
- Exempt Fence not more than 7 feet high, but zoning approval is still required
- Exempt Retaining wall not more than 4 feet high unless supporting surcharge, with zoning approval still required
- Exempt On-grade water tank under 5,000 gallons with ratio limits
- Exempt Sidewalk or driveway not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade
- Exempt Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
- Exempt Small above-ground prefabricated pool under the city thresholds, with zoning approval still required
- Exempt Swings and other playground equipment accessory to one- and two-family dwellings
- Exempt Certain window awnings in R3 and U occupancies
- Exempt Certain detached decks under the posted size/height/clearance conditions, with zoning approval still required
- Exempt 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.
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.
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Determine whether the work needs a permit using the city guidance and confirm zoning/exterior approvals when applicable.
- 02 Print the applicable building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, demolition, or plan review form from the city permits page.
- 03 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.
- 04 Submit the completed application to the Building Department or by mail.
- 05 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.
- 06 Pay permit fees.
- 07 Post the permit on site and call for required inspections until final approval and certificate of occupancy where applicable.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective 2024
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$35.00 up to $500 construction cost; building permit base fee $25.00
02
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.
03
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
04
Trade permit fee
Per fee schedule
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 periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective 2024) before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
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
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Bay City permits
01 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.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Bay City, MI? ▸
Building permit fees in Bay City, MI are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Bay City, MI? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Bay City, MI, follow these steps: 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.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in Bay City, MI? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in Bay City, MI? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Bay City, MI via: 989-894-8162. Applicant must notify the inspector when work is ready..
last verified April 2026
source City of Bay City Building Department ↗
entry id permits/michigan/bay/bay-city
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Bay City Building Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.