Iosco County, MI - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

County building authority for Iosco County; county pages state the division enforces building codes and zoning ordinances, with local township/city zoning handled separately where applicable.

Department

Iosco County Building and Safety Inspection Department

Address

420 W. Lake Street, Tawas City, MI 48763

Phone

(989) 362-6511

Email

ioscobuilding@ioscocounty.org

Website

https://iosco.net/building-department/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

Source: Iosco County Building and Safety Inspection Department

General Requirements

new commercial or residential construction; swimming pools above ground or in-ground; decks; carports; sheds over 200 sq ft

Required Documents

• building permit application, contractor registration if applicable, project-specific forms, site/address information, and any engineering or plan review documents required by the project

Building code

county pages cite the Michigan Building Code and Michigan Residential Code; the application form references Michigan Building Code 2015 and the Michigan Residential Code

Owner-builder

homeowner affidavit on the county application states the owner may apply as homeowner and assumes responsibility for the work, inspections, and code compliance

Contractor requirements

application asks for contractor name, license number, expiration date, FEIN or exemption, workers comp insurance carrier or exemption, and MESC employer number or exemption

Fees

Plan check fee

application includes separate building permit, plan review, and soil erosion fee fields, but a public fee table was not located

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Roofing and siding permits are no longer required by the county building department within its jurisdiction

Inspections

How to Schedule

• call the building department at (989) 362-6511 (phone)

Inspection hours

inspectors are listed by day; county office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Typical inspection sequence: grounding/electrical, footing, service, underground plumbing, underground mechanical, poured wall and ICF reinforcing, floodplain documentation, foundation/backfill, rough-in framing, insulation, and final occupancy

a permit application notes noncompliance can trigger additional inspection charges; floodplain projects require sealed as-built first-floor elevation documentation

Additional Resources

• Building code: county pages cite the Michigan Building Code and Michigan Residential Code; the application form references Michigan Building Code 2015 and the Michigan Residential Code
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Building codes URL
• Floodplain information
• Address ordinance / address assignment
• License lookup guide: Michigan Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Michigan Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Michigan hub: Michigan Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Iosco County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Iosco County, MI?

new commercial or residential construction; swimming pools above ground or in-ground; decks; carports; sheds over 200 sq ft

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Iosco County, MI?

The following work is generally exempt: Roofing and siding permits are no longer required by the county building department within its jurisdiction.

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Iosco County, MI?

Inspections can be scheduled via: call the building department at (989) 362-6511.