City Building Permits

Essexville, MI - 2026 Building Permit Guide

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

Michigan Bay County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

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

Department
City of Essexville Building Department
Address
1107 Woodside Avenue, Essexville, MI 48732
Phone
989-893-0772

Online Permit Portal

Platform: Essexville website forms page • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only

Additional resources:

Application Process

  1. Use the Essexville Fees and Permits page to select the proper building, trade, zoning, or reoccupancy form and fee schedule.
  2. Complete the form and assemble plans, site plan, and any zoning attachments needed under the zoning ordinance.
  3. Submit the completed permit application at City Hall. Essexville states the forms are online for convenience, but completed permit applications must still be submitted and processed at City Hall.
  4. City staff and inspectors review the submission, including zoning and site-plan requirements where applicable.
  5. Pay permit fees.
  6. Schedule inspections by calling the listed inspector number at least 24 hours in advance.
  7. Receive final approval and certificate of occupancy where required.

Source: City of Essexville Building Department

General Requirements

Building permit required for construction, alteration, or removal of any building or structure. Zoning permit required before construction, erection, or structural alteration of accessory buildings/structures, fences, sidewalks or driveways in right-of-way, above-ground prefabricated pools, temporary sets/scenery outside a building, and retaining walls.

Required Documents

  • Completed application
  • Contractor and insurance information
  • Work description
  • Site plan for all new buildings, additions, or change of use
  • Approved site plan and triplicate materials for building permit/certificate of occupancy under the zoning ordinance
  • Detailed section view for new or remodel building permit applications
Permit validity
Fee schedules show building permit renewal fee of $35.00 and trade permit renewal fee of $35.00 for 3 months, limit of 2. No broader validity rule was found on a city process page.
Building code
City applications state work must comply with applicable city code and state licensing rules. Thin public code-adoption detail on the building page itself.
Owner-builder
Trade and building applications include homeowner affidavit language for owner installation in owner-occupied home, with duty to arrange inspections.
Contractor requirements
Building application requires contractor license, FEIN/state employer information, workers compensation carrier, and builder registration fee schedule shows $10 annual registration fee. Trade applications require license copy and insurance information.

Fees

Minimum permit fee
$30.00 building permit up to $1,000 construction value
Plan check fee
Building schedule does not publish a separate building plan review formula. Plumbing schedule shows $35 per page plan review. City maintains separate mechanical and electrical fee pages.
Permit fee formula
Building permit fees are valuation-based through $100,000, then $975 plus $7 per additional $1,000 from $100,000 to $500,000, and $3,775 plus $5 per additional $1,000 above $500,000
Trade permit fee
Per schedule
Reinspection fee
Occupancy inspection is $450.00; permit renewal is $35.00; demolition fees are $35 residential and $50 commercial
Payment note
Fees page says completed permit applications must be submitted and processed at City Hall. No online payment workflow for permit issuance was identified.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the City of Essexville Building Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

  • Building inspector Joe DeWyse: 989-545-0434; Plumbing inspector Jon Morse: 989-239-0433 (phone)
Scheduling deadline
Call at least 24 hours in advance.
Inspection hours
City Hall hours posted as Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Typical inspection sequence: City ordinance requires final inspection before certificate of occupancy. Application materials indicate inspections are required before permit closeout and occupancy.

Additional Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the City of Essexville Building Department before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Essexville Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Essexville, MI?
Building permit required for construction, alteration, or removal of any building or structure. Zoning permit required before construction, erection, or structural alteration of accessory buildings/structures, fences, sidewalks or driveways in right-of-way, above-ground prefabricated pools, temporary sets/scenery outside a building, and retaining walls.
How much does a building permit cost in Essexville, MI?
The minimum permit fee is $30.00 building permit up to $1,000 construction value. Fees are calculated as: Building permit fees are valuation-based through $100,000, then $975 plus $7 per additional $1,000 from $100,000 to $500,000, and $3,775 plus $5 per additional $1,000 above $500,000. Plan check fee: Building schedule does not publish a separate building plan review formula. Plumbing schedule shows $35 per page plan review. City maintains separate mechanical and electrical fee pages..
How do I apply for a building permit in Essexville, MI?
1. Use the Essexville Fees and Permits page to select the proper building, trade, zoning, or reoccupancy form and fee schedule. 2. Complete the form and assemble plans, site plan, and any zoning attachments needed under the zoning ordinance. 3. Submit the completed permit application at City Hall. Essexville states the forms are online for convenience, but completed permit applications must still be submitted and processed at City Hall. 4. City staff and inspectors review the submission, including zoning and site-plan requirements where applicable. 5. Pay permit fees. 6. Schedule inspections by calling the listed inspector number at least 24 hours in advance. 7. Receive final approval and certificate of occupancy where required.
How do I schedule a building inspection in Essexville, MI?
Inspections can be scheduled via: Building inspector Joe DeWyse: 989-545-0434; Plumbing inspector Jon Morse: 989-239-0433. Call at least 24 hours in advance..

Need help with your project?

Navigating permits in Essexville 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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