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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for East Lansing
Permits are required for regulated building, roofing, paving, sign, solar, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work unless specifically exempt.
One-story detached accessory structures up to 200 square feet
Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade and not over a basement or story below
Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
Prefabricated above-ground residential pools less than 24 inches deep and not greater than 5,000 gallons
Swings and playground equipment accessory to detached one- or two-family dwellings
Certain window awnings
Detached decks meeting posted size, height, attachment, and clearance limits
Minor electrical repairs and maintenance
Minor mechanical repairs and portable appliances and equipment
Limited plumbing repairs such as clearing stoppages and certain leak repairs
- Exempt One-story detached accessory structures up to 200 square feet
- Exempt Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade and not over a basement or story below
- Exempt Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
- Exempt Prefabricated above-ground residential pools less than 24 inches deep and not greater than 5,000 gallons
- Exempt Swings and playground equipment accessory to detached one- or two-family dwellings
- Exempt Certain window awnings
- Exempt Detached decks meeting posted size, height, attachment, and clearance limits
- Exempt Minor electrical repairs and maintenance
- Exempt Minor mechanical repairs and portable appliances and equipment
- Exempt Limited plumbing repairs such as clearing stoppages and certain leak repairs
Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm edge cases with the Building Division before proceeding.
Required documents
- Fillable PDF permit application
- Plans (where required)
- Contractor or homeowner information
- Special inspection materials (where applicable)
- Building code
- 2015 Michigan Residential Code; the city enforces applicable Michigan building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing code requirements.
- Owner-builder
- Homeowners may do work on their own home and may obtain permits in their own name. Refer to the owner affidavit on the permit application.
- Contractor requirements
- Residential builders working on homes they do not own must hold the required Michigan residential builder license.
Source: City of East Lansing Planning, Building & Housing, Building Division ↗
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Small projects typically take 1 to 5 business days; large projects typically take 5 to 15 business days.
- 01 Register in BS&A Online and keep homeowner or contractor license information current.
- 02 Upload the permit application and required attachments through the homeowner or contractor online permit link.
- 03 City staff reviews the submittal and sends email notifications as the permit moves through review.
- 04 Pay the invoice once the permit has been processed and is ready for payment.
- 05 Print the issued permit from BS&A Online.
- 06 Schedule inspections online through BS&A and close out the permit after final inspection.
Typical processing time: Small projects typically take 1 to 5 business days; large projects typically take 5 to 15 business days.
Source: City of East Lansing Planning, Building & Housing, Building Division ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
East Lansing building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$60 application or zoning review base fee, plus permit-calculated charges; valuation-based building fee table starts at $70.
02
Plan check fee
No building plan review charge up to $50,000 valuation; 5% of permit fee over $50,000.
03
Permit fee formula
Mixed: valuation-based building fees plus application and inspection fees, with flat fees for some permit types such as residential application, rough, and final inspections.
04
Reinspection fee
$70 inspection, reinspection, or final inspection fee; $100 investigation inspection; $115 per hour minimum for after-hours inspection.
The city reviews and verifies fees after receipt of the online application and then issues an invoice; payments are not accepted until the invoice is generated.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Typical sequence: Application review, permit issue, rough inspection where applicable, final inspection, and permit closeout.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about East Lansing permits
01 Do I need a building permit in East Lansing, MI? ▸
Permits are required for regulated building, roofing, paving, sign, solar, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work unless specifically exempt.
02 How much does a building permit cost in East Lansing, MI? ▸
Building permit fees in East Lansing, MI are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $60 application or zoning review base fee, plus permit-calculated charges; valuation-based building fee table starts at $70.. Fees are calculated as: Mixed: valuation-based building fees plus application and inspection fees, with flat fees for some permit types such as residential application, rough, and final inspections.. Plan check fee: No building plan review charge up to $50,000 valuation; 5% of permit fee over $50,000..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in East Lansing, MI? ▸
To apply for a building permit in East Lansing, MI, follow these steps: 1. Register in BS&A Online and keep homeowner or contractor license information current. 2. Upload the permit application and required attachments through the homeowner or contractor online permit link. 3. City staff reviews the submittal and sends email notifications as the permit moves through review. 4. Pay the invoice once the permit has been processed and is ready for payment. 5. Print the issued permit from BS&A Online. 6. Schedule inspections online through BS&A and close out the permit after final inspection.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in East Lansing, MI? ▸
Building permit processing times in East Lansing, MI typically run Small projects typically take 1 to 5 business days; large projects typically take 5 to 15 business days.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in East Lansing, MI? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in East Lansing, MI. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures up to 200 square feet; Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade and not over a basement or story below; Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work; Prefabricated above-ground residential pools less than 24 inches deep and not greater than 5,000 gallons; Swings and playground equipment accessory to detached one- or two-family dwellings; Certain window awnings; Detached decks meeting posted size, height, attachment, and clearance limits; Minor electrical repairs and maintenance; Minor mechanical repairs and portable appliances and equipment; Limited plumbing repairs such as clearing stoppages and certain leak repairs. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm edge cases with the Building Division before proceeding. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in East Lansing, MI? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in East Lansing, MI via: BS&A Online homeowner or contractor inspection scheduling.
last verified April 2026
source City of East Lansing Planning, Building & Housing, Building Division ↗
entry id permits/michigan/ingham/east-lansing
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of East Lansing Planning, Building & Housing, Building Division before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.