County Building Permits
Ingham County, MI - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Ingham County, Michigan. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
The Statewide Jurisdiction List shows "INGHAM NO COUNTY PROGRAM." Unincorporated areas are governed by individual township enforcement authorities. Verify the specific township by looking up the property address.
- Department
- No countywide construction code department; permit authority depends on the township or the Michigan Bureau of Construction Codes
- Phone
- 517-241-9313 for Michigan Bureau of Construction Codes
- BCCPermits@michigan.gov
Online Permit Portal
Platform: LARA Accela and Local Township Systems • Account required: Yes • Submission: In-person only
Application Process
- Determine the exact township and discipline with permit authority using the Statewide Jurisdiction List.
- If the township is LOCAL for the needed permit type, apply through that township's building department.
- If the township is STATE for the needed permit type, use LARA Accela or the applicable BCC form for that permit type.
- Submit plans and supporting documents to the enforcing agency with the required fee.
- Receive permit approval from the local or state enforcing agency.
- Schedule inspections through that same enforcing agency until final approval or certificate of occupancy is issued.
General Requirements
An owner or authorized agent must submit an application before construction, alteration, addition, repair, removal, demolition, use, location, occupancy, or maintenance work regulated by the Michigan Building Code.
Required Documents
- State or local permit application
- Plans (where required)
- Valuation information
- Owner and contractor information
- Discipline-specific supporting documents
- Permit validity
- Follow the local township or state permit terms.
- Building code
- Michigan construction codes under the Bureau of Construction Codes, with local administration where a township has local enforcement authority.
- Owner-builder
- Follow the applicable local enforcing agency or state form rules for the township and permit type involved.
- Contractor requirements
- State construction and skilled trade licensing rules apply throughout Ingham County.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- State fee amounts depend on permit type; local township fees vary.
- Plan check fee
- Agency-specific.
- Permit fee formula
- Mixed and agency-specific.
- Reinspection fee
- Agency-specific.
- Payment note
- State pages note permits can be obtained online through Accela or by mail, but applying by mail may delay processing.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the No countywide construction code department; permit authority depends on the township or the Michigan Bureau of Construction Codes to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Applicable township building department or Michigan Bureau of Construction Codes (other)
- Inspection hours
- Vary by enforcing agency
Typical inspection sequence: Permit issuance, required progress inspections, final inspection, and occupancy approval where applicable.
Additional Resources
- Building code: Michigan construction codes under the Bureau of Construction Codes, with local administration where a township has local enforcement authority.
- Michigan Bureau of Construction Codes - Building Permit Information
- Michigan LARA - About and Contact
- Statewide Jurisdiction List
- 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 No countywide construction code department; permit authority depends on the township or the Michigan Bureau of Construction Codes before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ingham County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Ingham County, MI?
- An owner or authorized agent must submit an application before construction, alteration, addition, repair, removal, demolition, use, location, occupancy, or maintenance work regulated by the Michigan Building Code.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Ingham County, MI?
- The minimum permit fee is State fee amounts depend on permit type; local township fees vary.. Fees are calculated as: Mixed and agency-specific.. Plan check fee: Agency-specific..
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Ingham County, MI?
- 1. Determine the exact township and discipline with permit authority using the Statewide Jurisdiction List. 2. If the township is LOCAL for the needed permit type, apply through that township's building department. 3. If the township is STATE for the needed permit type, use LARA Accela or the applicable BCC form for that permit type. 4. Submit plans and supporting documents to the enforcing agency with the required fee. 5. Receive permit approval from the local or state enforcing agency. 6. Schedule inspections through that same enforcing agency until final approval or certificate of occupancy is issued.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Ingham County, MI?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Applicable township building department or Michigan Bureau of Construction Codes.
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