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When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Macomb County
County permits are required for county-level overlays such as soil erosion, drain work, county road right-of-way work, and septic/well systems. General building permit requirements depend on the township having jurisdiction over the parcel.
- Public Works portal expects permit request details, uploaded plans, and supporting materials
- Soil erosion plans and drain review materials are project-specific
- Health and road permits have separate submittal packets
- Permit validity
- Public Works FAQ notes additional work can be added only if the permit is in good standing and not expired; no general countywide expiration policy for all overlay permit classes was consolidated on one page.
- Owner-builder
- County overlay pages do not post a separate owner-builder program for general building permits.
- Contractor requirements
- County overlay portals serve developers, builders, engineers, and homeowners; state licensing rules still apply to regulated construction work.
Source: Macomb County Public Works, Department of Roads, and Health Department ↗
Application process
Typical processing: Residential and smaller soil erosion projects average about a week, larger first reviews can take about 30 days, and drain permits are approximately 90 days from submittal depending on complexity.
- 01 Determine the actual local building jurisdiction first. In Macomb County, a parcel outside a city still sits in a township, so general building and trade permits are usually township-issued rather than county-issued.
- 02 If county overlays are triggered, use the Macomb County Public Works permit portal for drain permits and soil erosion permits, including plan upload, comments, inspection scheduling, payment, and permit download.
- 03 Use the Macomb County Department of Roads permit path for county road right-of-way or driveway work where applicable.
- 04 Use the Macomb County Health Department for well and septic permits where a site is not served by public systems.
- 05 Coordinate county approvals with the applicable township building department before starting construction.
Typical processing time: Residential and smaller soil erosion projects average about a week, larger first reviews can take about 30 days, and drain permits are approximately 90 days from submittal depending on complexity.
Source: Macomb County Public Works, Department of Roads, and Health Department ↗
Fee schedule
Macomb County building permit fees
Public Works portal allows fee payment online and permit download after approval.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
- Public Works portal for drain inspection scheduling (online)
- Other soil erosion inspection types may require a phone call (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Public Works phone support Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Typical sequence: Overlay-specific. Drain and soil erosion reviews occur through the county portal; township building/trade inspections are separate and must be coordinated with the local township.
Source: Macomb County Public Works, Department of Roads, and Health Department ↗
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Macomb County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Macomb County, MI? ▸
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Macomb County, MI? ▸
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Macomb County, MI? ▸
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Macomb County, MI? ▸
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Macomb County, MI? ▸
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Macomb County Public Works, Department of Roads, and Health Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.