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City building permits

City of Flint

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

Min. permit fee
$140.00
Last verified
April 2026
On this page 6
§ 01

Permit authority

City of Flint Building and Safety Inspections

Street address
1101 S. Saginaw Street, Flint, MI 48502
Coverage
City of Flint Building and Safety Inspections administers building and trade permits within Flint city limits.
Online portal
City of Flint Permits
Informational portal
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Flint

New construction, alterations, renovations, remodeling, reroofing or residing, fences over 7 feet with inspection, demolition or moving, signs, parking lots and driveways, pools, tank removal, and trade work listed in the city fee schedule.

Note: Minor work should be screened directly with Building and Safety before starting.

Required documents
  • Permit application
  • Scope of work
  • Plans when required
  • Supporting trade or site documents requested by Building and Safety
Building code
Michigan Building Code and related Michigan construction codes
Contractor requirements
The city fee schedule lists contractor registration fees for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical contractors; applicable State of Michigan licensing still applies.
§ 03

Application process

Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final

  1. 01
    Identify the permit type from the city permit page and contact Building and Safety Inspections for the correct application path.
  2. 02
    Submit the required application, plans, and supporting documents to the city for review.
  3. 03
    Complete plan review and any correction cycle required by Building and Safety.
  4. 04
    Pay permit and any plan review fees under the current City of Flint master fee schedule.
  5. 05
    Receive the issued permit and post or retain it on site as directed by the city.
  6. 06
    Schedule and pass required inspections, then obtain final approval or certificate if applicable.

Source: City of Flint Building and Safety Inspections ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Effective May 28, 2025

Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$140.00
02
Plan check fee
$330.00 for projects up to $50,000; hourly charges for some simple alterations or trade-only reviews
03
Permit fee formula
Mixed; many building permits are valuation-based with minimums, while garages, temporary structures, appeals, and specialty permits are flat-fee items
04
Reinspection fee
$140.00 for building reinspection; $140.00 for mechanical reinspection
05
Penalty (no permit)
$412.00 up to $5,000 for work begun before permit; $825.00 over $5,000

Follow city instructions during permit issuance.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective May 28, 2025) before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule
  • 810-766-7346 (phone)

Typical sequence: Progress or rough inspections by scope, then final inspection, then final signoff or occupancy clearance as applicable.

Source: City of Flint Building and Safety Inspections ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Flint permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Flint, MI?
New construction, alterations, renovations, remodeling, reroofing or residing, fences over 7 feet with inspection, demolition or moving, signs, parking lots and driveways, pools, tank removal, and trade work listed in the city fee schedule.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Flint, MI?
Building permit fees in Flint, MI are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $140.00. Fees are calculated as: Mixed; many building permits are valuation-based with minimums, while garages, temporary structures, appeals, and specialty permits are flat-fee items. Plan check fee: $330.00 for projects up to $50,000; hourly charges for some simple alterations or trade-only reviews.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Flint, MI?
To apply for a building permit in Flint, MI, follow these steps: 1. Identify the permit type from the city permit page and contact Building and Safety Inspections for the correct application path. 2. Submit the required application, plans, and supporting documents to the city for review. 3. Complete plan review and any correction cycle required by Building and Safety. 4. Pay permit and any plan review fees under the current City of Flint master fee schedule. 5. Receive the issued permit and post or retain it on site as directed by the city. 6. Schedule and pass required inspections, then obtain final approval or certificate if applicable.
04 How do I schedule a building inspection in Flint, MI?
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Flint, MI via: 810-766-7346.
last verified April 2026 source City of Flint Building and Safety Inspections ↗ entry id permits/michigan/genesee/flint

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Flint Building and Safety Inspections before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

§   Adjacent

Other jurisdictions in Genesee County.

Same county, different permit office. Click for that jurisdiction's full guide.

All Genesee County jurisdictions →