East Tawas, MI — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 5

§ 01

Permit authority

City of East Tawas Zoning Administrator, with building permits issued by Iosco County

Phone

(989) 362-6161

Coverage

City zoning and land use; county handles building permits for the city

Website

Department website

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for East Tawas

the newsletter says zoning permits are required for decks, pools, fences, sheds, garages, additions, houses, and tearing down structures regardless of size

Scope of work

Permit?

The newsletter specifically says even tearing down structures requires a zoning permit

Exempt

Exempt The newsletter specifically says even tearing down structures requires a zoning permit

Building code: county building permits use Michigan Building Code and Michigan Residential Code; city zoning materials do not publish a separate building code

§ 03

Fee schedule

East Tawas building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

Minimum permit fee

accessory structure land use permit fee is $40.00

Permit fee formula

short-term rental application fee is $50.00 per property and registration is $500.00 per unit; complaint/non-compliance inspection is $50.00 per inspection

Reinspection fee

short-term rental complaint/non-compliance inspection fee is $50.00; ordinance also allows enforcement costs and fees

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

§ 04

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

contact City Hall to make an appointment with the zoning administrator (online)

Inspection hours: city office hours were not separately tied to inspections in the published materials; thin data

Typical sequence: zoning review first; commercial projects go to Planning Commission; site plan review requires two weeks notice before the meeting; plans for Planning Commission agenda must be submitted by 3:00 p.m. the Thursday before the meeting

short-term rental complaint/non-compliance inspection fee is $50.00 per inspection

§ 05

Frequently asked

Common questions about East Tawas permits

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

the newsletter says zoning permits are required for decks, pools, fences, sheds, garages, additions, houses, and tearing down structures regardless of size

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

Building permit fees in East Tawas, MI are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is accessory structure land use permit fee is $40.00. Fees are calculated as: short-term rental application fee is $50.00 per property and registration is $500.00 per unit; complaint/non-compliance inspection is $50.00 per inspection.

03 What work is exempt from building permits in East Tawas, MI? ▸

Not all construction work requires a permit in East Tawas, MI. The following work is generally exempt: The newsletter specifically says even tearing down structures requires a zoning permit. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

04 How do I schedule a building inspection in East Tawas, MI? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in East Tawas, MI via: contact City Hall to make an appointment with the zoning administrator.

last verified April 2026 source City of East Tawas Zoning Administrator, with building permits issued by Iosco County ↗ entry id permits/michigan/iosco/east-tawas

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of East Tawas Zoning Administrator, with building permits issued by Iosco County before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

East Tawas

Other jurisdictions in Iosco County.