Iron County, MI - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

countywide building and electrical office for Iron County; used for the unincorporated area and for the county jurisdictions that do not maintain a local building enforcing agency.

Department

Address

Iron County Courthouse Annex, 2 South Sixth St., Suite 14, Crystal Falls, MI 49920

Phone

(906) 875-3102

Email

ncurtis@ironmi.org

Website

https://ironmi.com/construction-code

Application Process

General Requirements

Required Documents

• zoning approval, tax ID/parcels, site map, soil erosion permit or exemption if within 500 feet of water, septic/well permits from Dickinson-Iron Health Department, fire number/address application if needed, building plans, truss/slab specs when applicable, completed application, contractor information, fee payment.

Building code

Michigan Building Code and Michigan Residential Code as state baseline; county application and fee materials cite the Stille-DeRossett-Hale State Construction Code Act.

Owner-builder

if not self-performing, Iron County says a Michigan licensed contractor must be used.

Contractor requirements

license number, expiration date, liability info, address, and phone must be on the application.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$75.00 residential base for work to $1,000; $75.00 commercial administrative base fee

Plan check fee

residential plan review and administration base fee $100.00 plus $100.00 for each inspection; commercial plan review $100.00 per hour

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Ordinary repairs only, so long as the work does not involve cutting away walls or structural supports, changing required egress, or altering plumbing, electrical, mechanical, or similar work affecting health or safety.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• call the office or inspector. (phone)

county fee schedule charges for additional inspections and for failure to obtain a permit.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Michigan Building Code and Michigan Residential Code as state baseline; county application and fee materials cite the Stille-DeRossett-Hale State Construction Code Act.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• County construction code
• State jurisdiction list
• License lookup guide: Michigan Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Michigan Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Michigan hub: Michigan Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Iron County Building Permit FAQ

How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Iron County, MI?

The minimum permit fee is $75.00 residential base for work to $1,000; $75.00 commercial administrative base fee. Plan check fee: residential plan review and administration base fee $100.00 plus $100.00 for each inspection; commercial plan review $100.00 per hour.

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

The following work is generally exempt: Ordinary repairs only, so long as the work does not involve cutting away walls or structural supports, changing required egress, or altering plumbing, electrical, mechanical, or similar work affecting health or safety..

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: call the office or inspector..