Lansing, MI — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

City of Lansing Building Safety Office

Street address

316 N. Capitol Ave., Suite C-1, Lansing, MI 48933

Phone

517-483-4355

Tina.Raeder@lansingmi.gov

Coverage

All properties within the City of Lansing corporate limits, including the Ingham County portion.

Online portal

BS&A Online

Website

Department website

Additional resources

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Lansing

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.

Note: No single public Lansing exemption list was clearly located. Contact Building Safety Office before starting minor 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.

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Commercial plan review typically takes 10 to 15 business days for initial review and 3 to 5 days for resubmittals.

01

Download and complete the Building Permit Application or Application for Plan Review from the Building Safety Office forms.
02

Submit the application, construction documents, and required fee to the Building Safety Office at 316 N. Capitol Ave., Suite C-1.
03

For commercial and multi-family work, Building Safety reviews plans and issues comments; resubmit revised plans as needed.
04

Once plans are approved and zoning or floodplain issues are cleared, pay permit and plan review fees.
05

Receive the permit from Building Safety; do not start work until the permit is received.
06

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.

Source: City of Lansing Building Safety Office ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Effective July 1, 2025

Fee type

Amount

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.

Fees are paid with application and plan review submission.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective July 1, 2025) before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

BS&A Online (online)

Typical sequence: Trade and building inspections occur during construction, followed by final inspection and certificate of occupancy where applicable.

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Lansing permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Lansing, MI? ▸

02 How much does a building permit cost in Lansing, MI? ▸

Building permit fees in Lansing, MI are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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..

03 How do I apply for a building permit in Lansing, MI? ▸

To apply for a building permit in Lansing, MI, follow these steps: 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.

04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Lansing, MI? ▸

Building permit processing times in Lansing, MI typically run Commercial plan review typically takes 10 to 15 business days for initial review and 3 to 5 days for resubmittals.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

05 How do I schedule a building inspection in Lansing, MI? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Lansing, MI via: BS&A Online.

last verified April 2026 source City of Lansing Building Safety Office ↗ entry id permits/michigan/ingham/lansing

Report a correction

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

City of Lansing

Other jurisdictions in Ingham County.