County Building Permits
Clinton County, MI - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Clinton County, Michigan. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
County building permits and code enforcement in the unincorporated area and in county-served municipalities where the county administers permits.
- Department
- Clinton County Building Department
- Address
- 100 E. State Street, St. Johns, MI 48879
- Phone
- 989-224-5100
Application Process
- Start with a completed application and construction drawings or plans.
- Plans must show all proposed work and code/zoning compliance details.
- County reviews the submission in about 3 to 5 days.
- After approval and fee payment, the permit is mailed or can be picked up.
Typical processing time: About 3 to 5 days.
General Requirements
A permit is required for any construction that physically changes or adds structure to property or for work regulated by county codes or ordinances.
Required Documents
- Completed application
- Construction drawings or plans
- Plans showing all proposed work and code/zoning compliance details
- Permit validity
- Construction must start within 180 days and cannot stop for more than 180 days without expiration.
- Owner-builder
- Homeowner may obtain a permit for a single-family residence they will occupy.
- Contractor requirements
- Homeowners can act as their own general contractor under Michigan licensing law; if using a contractor, applicable licensing rules still apply.
Fees
- Permit fee formula
- Valuation-based using ICC Building Valuation Data.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Clinton County Building Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
Typical inspection sequence: Inspection needs depend on project and inspection type.
Additional Resources
- Owner-builder rules: View rules
- County FAQ
- Occupancy Requirements
- County Quick Links
- 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 Clinton County Building Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Clinton County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Clinton County, MI?
- A permit is required for any construction that physically changes or adds structure to property or for work regulated by county codes or ordinances.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Clinton County, MI?
- Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based using ICC Building Valuation Data..
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Clinton County, MI?
- 1. Start with a completed application and construction drawings or plans. 2. Plans must show all proposed work and code/zoning compliance details. 3. County reviews the submission in about 3 to 5 days. 4. After approval and fee payment, the permit is mailed or can be picked up.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Clinton County, MI?
- Typical processing time is About 3 to 5 days..
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