County Building Permits
Lake County, MI - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Lake County, Michigan. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All unincorporated land in Lake County
- Department
- Lake County Building Department
- Address
- 800 Tenth Street, Suite 110, Baldwin, MI 49304
- Phone
- (231) 745-2722
Application Process
- Prepare the county application and documents.
- Submit by mail or in person.
- Wait for county review and any plan review.
- Receive permit after approval and payment.
Source: Lake County Building Department
General Requirements
Required Documents
- Application, owner and parcel information, contractor and license data, drawings or sheets as required
- Permit validity
- 180-day increments, extendable for $75.00
- Building code
- 2015 Michigan Building Code and Michigan Residential Code per the county form
- Owner-builder
- Homeowner affidavit required for owner-performed work in a single-family dwelling
- Contractor requirements
- Licensed contractor information required where applicable
Fees
- Plan check fee
- As shown in the county schedule
- Permit fee formula
- Base fee plus square-foot fee or fixed fee depending on work type
- Reinspection fee
- $65.00 reinspection, plus blocked-access fee if applicable
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Ordinary repairs under state code baseline
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Through county building department (contact)
Typical inspection sequence: County inspections before occupancy, including final trade approvals where applicable
$65.00 failed inspection fee
Additional Resources
- Building code: 2015 Michigan Building Code and Michigan Residential Code per the county form
- County building page
- Building info handout
- 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 Lake County Building Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lake County Building Permit FAQ
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Lake County, MI?
- Fees are calculated as: Base fee plus square-foot fee or fixed fee depending on work type. Plan check fee: As shown in the county schedule.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Lake County, MI?
- 1. Prepare the county application and documents. 2. Submit by mail or in person. 3. Wait for county review and any plan review. 4. Receive permit after approval and payment.
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Lake County, MI?
- The following work is generally exempt: Ordinary repairs under state code baseline.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Lake County, MI?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Through county building department.
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