City Building Permits
Lansing, MI - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in Lansing, Michigan. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All properties within the City of Lansing corporate limits, including the Ingham County portion.
- Department
- City of Lansing Building Safety Office
- Address
- 316 N. Capitol Ave., Suite C-1, Lansing, MI 48933
- Phone
- 517-483-4355
Online Permit Portal
Platform: BS&A Online • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Download and complete the Building Permit Application or Application for Plan Review from the Building Safety Office forms.
- Submit the application, construction documents, and required fee to the Building Safety Office at 316 N. Capitol Ave., Suite C-1.
- For commercial and multi-family work, Building Safety reviews plans and issues comments; resubmit revised plans as needed.
- Once plans are approved and zoning or floodplain issues are cleared, pay permit and plan review fees.
- Receive the permit from Building Safety; do not start work until the permit is received.
- Schedule required inspections online through BS&A Online.
Typical processing time: Commercial plan review typically takes 10 to 15 business days for initial review and 3 to 5 days for resubmittals.
General Requirements
Building permits cover construction, additions, alterations, repairs, demolition, and other work within Building Safety jurisdiction; trade permits are separately required for electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work.
Required Documents
- Completed building permit application
- Project description and valuation
- Owner and contractor information with state license numbers
- Plans and specifications (where required for plan-reviewed work)
- Plan review application for commercial or other plan-reviewed work
- Building code
- Current State of Michigan construction codes as enforced by Lansing Building Safety, including floodplain permit compliance where applicable.
- Owner-builder
- Homeowners may perform work on their own single-family residence and may obtain permits in their own name; homeowner affidavit is required.
- Contractor requirements
- Contractors are licensed by the State of Michigan and must register with the City of Lansing to perform work within the city limits.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $120
- Plan check fee
- Residential: 20% of permit fee for work over $3,000 valuation; Commercial/Multi-family: 56% of permit fee, with later revisions billed at $100 per hour.
- Permit fee formula
- Valuation-based using ICC square-foot cost data; residential work over $3,000 valuation includes 20% plan review fee of building permit fee; commercial and multi-family plan review is 56% of building permit fee, rounded up.
- Payment note
- Fees are paid with application and plan review submission.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective July 1, 2025).
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the City of Lansing Building Safety Office to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- BS&A Online (online)
Typical inspection sequence: Trade and building inspections occur during construction, followed by final inspection and certificate of occupancy where applicable.
Additional Resources
- Building code: Current State of Michigan construction codes as enforced by Lansing Building Safety, including floodplain permit compliance where applicable.
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Floodplain Permit Requirements
- 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 City of Lansing Building Safety Office before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lansing Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in Lansing, MI?
- Building permits cover construction, additions, alterations, repairs, demolition, and other work within Building Safety jurisdiction; trade permits are separately required for electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work.
- How much does a building permit cost in Lansing, MI?
- The minimum permit fee is $120. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based using ICC square-foot cost data; residential work over $3,000 valuation includes 20% plan review fee of building permit fee; commercial and multi-family plan review is 56% of building permit fee, rounded up.. Plan check fee: Residential: 20% of permit fee for work over $3,000 valuation; Commercial/Multi-family: 56% of permit fee, with later revisions billed at $100 per hour..
- How do I apply for a building permit in Lansing, MI?
- 1. Download and complete the Building Permit Application or Application for Plan Review from the Building Safety Office forms. 2. Submit the application, construction documents, and required fee to the Building Safety Office at 316 N. Capitol Ave., Suite C-1. 3. For commercial and multi-family work, Building Safety reviews plans and issues comments; resubmit revised plans as needed. 4. Once plans are approved and zoning or floodplain issues are cleared, pay permit and plan review fees. 5. Receive the permit from Building Safety; do not start work until the permit is received. 6. Schedule required inspections online through BS&A Online.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in Lansing, MI?
- Typical processing time is Commercial plan review typically takes 10 to 15 business days for initial review and 3 to 5 days for resubmittals..
- How do I schedule a building inspection in Lansing, MI?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: BS&A Online.
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