Chippewa County, MI - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Chippewa County Building Department issues permits for unincorporated areas, with township zoning approvals and other approvals (health/septic, floodplain, erosion, road, etc.) applying as applicable.

Department

Chippewa County Building Department

Address

319 Court Street, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783

Phone

906-635-6362

Website

https://www.chippewacountymi.gov/building-department

Application Process

1. Start with the county building permit application and the county permit checklist.
2. Obtain address assignment first if needed.
3. Secure required township and other approvals such as zoning, health/septic, floodplain, erosion control, road/culvert, and state approvals where applicable.
4. Submit plans and application to the Chippewa County Building Department.
5. Wait for review and permit issuance before starting work.
6. After permit issuance, schedule inspections as required.

Source: Chippewa County Building Department

General Requirements

A building permit is required before starting construction in the County-administered area.

Required Documents

• Completed permit application
• Address/property ID
• Owner and contractor information
• Contractor license number if a contractor is used
• Estimated construction cost
• Site plan and any required supporting permits (septic/well, zoning, floodplain, erosion, wetland, road-related approvals where applicable)

Building code

Michigan state construction code applies.

Owner-builder

The county form includes owner and contractor sections, but a separate owner-builder policy was not published.

Contractor requirements

County FAQ indicates the office must have a copy of the current contractor license when a contractor applies.

Fees

Permit fee formula

Fees follow the Bureau of Construction Codes square-foot/construction-cost table and are subject to updated rates.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Chippewa County Building Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• 906-635-6362 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

FAQ indicates inspections normally occur within 48 hours after request.

Inspection hours

Inspectors are in office Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM; otherwise they are in the field.

Typical inspection sequence: Rough and final inspections are usually needed when work will be covered up.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Michigan state construction code applies.
• County building permit FAQ
• County permit checklist PDF
• County forms
• License lookup guide: Michigan Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Michigan Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Michigan hub: Michigan Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Chippewa County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Chippewa County, MI?

A building permit is required before starting construction in the County-administered area.

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

Fees are calculated as: Fees follow the Bureau of Construction Codes square-foot/construction-cost table and are subject to updated rates..

How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Chippewa County, MI?

1. Start with the county building permit application and the county permit checklist. 2. Obtain address assignment first if needed. 3. Secure required township and other approvals such as zoning, health/septic, floodplain, erosion control, road/culvert, and state approvals where applicable. 4. Submit plans and application to the Chippewa County Building Department. 5. Wait for review and permit issuance before starting work. 6. After permit issuance, schedule inspections as required.

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Chippewa County, MI?

Inspections can be scheduled via: 906-635-6362. FAQ indicates inspections normally occur within 48 hours after request..