County Building Permits
Keweenaw County, MI - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Keweenaw County, Michigan. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Countywide building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing administration for Keweenaw County, including unincorporated areas and the listed townships and village
- Department
- Keweenaw County Zoning and Construction Codes Department (ZCCD)
- Address
- Keweenaw County Courthouse, 5095 Fourth Street, Eagle River, MI 49950
Online Permit Portal
Platform: iWorQ permit tracking • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Application Process
- Confirm the project needs a building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, or zoning permit.
- Prepare the permit application and supporting materials, including a site plan where required.
- Submit the application through the county portal or to the ZCCD.
- County staff reviews the application and attached plans for code and zoning compliance.
- Pay the permit fees.
- Permit is issued, then inspections are scheduled as work progresses.
- Final approvals are forwarded to the county before certificate of occupancy, when applicable.
Source: Keweenaw County Zoning and Construction Codes Department (ZCCD)
General Requirements
The county page states permits are needed for most construction, alteration, addition, demolition, and other regulated work under the applicable code and zoning ordinance.
Required Documents
- Application, site plan, project description, and any code or zoning support material requested by staff.
- Building code
- The county page references the 2003 Michigan Building Code on its public zoning and construction codes page, together with current state electrical, plumbing, and mechanical codes. This is an older posted reference and should be treated carefully.
- Owner-builder
- The county states the property owner is ultimately responsible for obtaining the permit, even if a contractor performs the work.
- Contractor requirements
- Contractors are commonly expected to be licensed and insured where the state code requires it; the county page reviewed did not publish a local contractor registration rule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Keweenaw County Zoning and Construction Codes Department (ZCCD) to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Work is inspected through county staff coordination after permit issuance (contact)
Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence is footing/foundation, rough, insulation and framing, and final, depending on the project type
Additional Resources
- Building code: The county page references the 2003 Michigan Building Code on its public zoning and construction codes page, together with current state electrical, plumbing, and mechanical codes. This is an older posted reference and should be treated carefully.
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Zoning ordinance
- Planning commission
- State 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 Keweenaw County Zoning and Construction Codes Department (ZCCD) before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Keweenaw County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Keweenaw County, MI?
- The county page states permits are needed for most construction, alteration, addition, demolition, and other regulated work under the applicable code and zoning ordinance.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Keweenaw County, MI?
- 1. Confirm the project needs a building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, or zoning permit. 2. Prepare the permit application and supporting materials, including a site plan where required. 3. Submit the application through the county portal or to the ZCCD. 4. County staff reviews the application and attached plans for code and zoning compliance. 5. Pay the permit fees. 6. Permit is issued, then inspections are scheduled as work progresses. 7. Final approvals are forwarded to the county before certificate of occupancy, when applicable.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Keweenaw County, MI?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Work is inspected through county staff coordination after permit issuance.
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