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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Gladwin County
County and state applications indicate permits are required for regulated construction work, including new construction, additions, alterations, roofs, demolition, mobile home setup, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical work.
The forms and fee schedules show that some minor alterations and repair work may be treated as plan-not-required for plumbing, and some small or simple items are charged as flat or minimal fees rather than full plan review.
For exact exemptions, the county relies on Michigan code and department review.
- Exempt The forms and fee schedules show that some minor alterations and repair work may be treated as plan-not-required for plumbing, and some small or simple items are charged as flat or minimal fees rather than full plan review.
- Exempt For exact exemptions, the county relies on Michigan code and department review.
Required documents
- Completed application, site/location data, owner and contractor data, license and insurance information, project description, and, where required, plan sets or supporting approvals.
- Permit validity
- All county permits are good for 18 months. If work is not progressing, the county sends a letter. Extensions cost $50 each and are good for 6 months. If the extension fee is not received within 10 days, the permit closes and new permits are required.
- Owner-builder
- The forms include a homeowner certification and reference Section 23A of the State Construction Code Act, which prohibits circumvention of licensing requirements. The plumbing form allows a homeowner to apply for work in a personal home where they live or are about to occupy.
- Contractor requirements
- Contractor license number, expiration date, workers compensation, FEIN or exemption reason, and MESC number or exemption reason are requested on forms.
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Confirm whether the work needs a building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, zoning, or address application.
- 02 Complete the correct county application form and include owner, contractor, project, and site information.
- 03 For building permits, include zoning, flood zone, septic, water supply, and other local approvals as required on the form.
- 04 Submit the application with payment. The county building application says the application must be completed, signed, and accompanied by the proper fee or the permit will not be issued.
- 05 County staff performs plan review, issues the permit, and then schedules inspections as work progresses.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Gladwin County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Residential building fee schedule states a minimum regular building permit fee of $20 plus base fee, and a base fee of $75 is added to each permit for administrative costs.
02
Permit fee formula
Residential schedule charges per square foot by project type, plus a $75 base fee. Examples published on the fee sheet include slab/crawl/pier, basement, additions, decks, locate buildings, roofs, demolition, and flat-fee items.
03
Reinspection fee
The residential fee sheet lists special/additional or re-inspections at $50 plus base fee. The electrical fee sheet lists additional inspection at $50 each. The county building application says a $5 mail processing fee is added if applying by mail.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Call the county office using the permit number and work location details. The plumbing form says to call the office with (phone)
- Inspection hours
- County office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Electrical and plumbing inspections are done on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Typical sequence: Work must be inspected before it is covered. Plumbing instructions state no work shall be concealed until inspected. Electrical application states the applicant is responsible for arranging required inspections before covering work.
County electrical fees include additional inspection at $50 each. Plumbing fee sheet includes additional inspection and final inspection charges.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Gladwin County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Gladwin County, MI? ▸
County and state applications indicate permits are required for regulated construction work, including new construction, additions, alterations, roofs, demolition, mobile home setup, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical work.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Gladwin County, MI? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Gladwin County, MI are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Residential building fee schedule states a minimum regular building permit fee of $20 plus base fee, and a base fee of $75 is added to each permit for administrative costs.. Fees are calculated as: Residential schedule charges per square foot by project type, plus a $75 base fee. Examples published on the fee sheet include slab/crawl/pier, basement, additions, decks, locate buildings, roofs, demolition, and flat-fee items..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Gladwin County, MI? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Gladwin County, MI, follow these steps: 1. Confirm whether the work needs a building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, zoning, or address application. 2. Complete the correct county application form and include owner, contractor, project, and site information. 3. For building permits, include zoning, flood zone, septic, water supply, and other local approvals as required on the form. 4. Submit the application with payment. The county building application says the application must be completed, signed, and accompanied by the proper fee or the permit will not be issued. 5. County staff performs plan review, issues the permit, and then schedules inspections as work progresses.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Gladwin County, MI? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Gladwin County, MI. The following work is generally exempt: The forms and fee schedules show that some minor alterations and repair work may be treated as plan-not-required for plumbing, and some small or simple items are charged as flat or minimal fees rather than full plan review.; For exact exemptions, the county relies on Michigan code and department review.. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Gladwin County, MI? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Gladwin County, MI via: Call the county office using the permit number and work location details. The plumbing form says to call the office with.
last verified April 2026
source Gladwin County Construction Codes Department ↗
entry id permits/michigan/gladwin/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Gladwin County Construction Codes Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.