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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Newaygo County
Before any construction, enlargement, alteration, total removal, demolition, or change in principal use. Ordinary repairs are exempt.
Ordinary repairs.
Improvements that do not affect the integrity of the structure.
- Exempt Ordinary repairs.
- Exempt Improvements that do not affect the integrity of the structure.
Required documents
- Zoning compliance permit or zoning written statement, septic or sewer approval, well or water approval, driveway permit if needed, soil erosion permit if needed, floodplain or wetland approval if needed, energy code information if needed, duplicate plans or blueprints, truss drawings if engineered trusses are used, and sealed engineer or architect plans for larger residential projects as stated by the county.
- Building code
- Michigan Building Code baseline, with Michigan Residential Code for one- and two-family dwellings, per state law and county enforcement.
- Permit validity
- Permits remain valid for one year if work is progressing and inspections are requested and conducted. The county closes a permit if no inspection is requested or conducted within 180 days of issuance or the last inspection.
- Owner-builder
- A homeowner may obtain a permit for work on a single family dwelling that he or she owns and occupies or is about to occupy.
- Contractor requirements
- Licensed contractor or eligible homeowner. Residential builders must be licensed under Michigan law where applicable.
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Confirm zoning approval first with the township or city zoning official.
- 02 Obtain any required septic or sewer, well or water, soil erosion, driveway, floodplain, and energy code approvals.
- 03 Complete the county building permit application and attach duplicate working plans or blueprints.
- 04 Submit the packet to the county building department by mail or by contacting the office directly.
- 05 County staff reviews plans, issues the permit when complete, and assigns inspection stages.
- 06 Schedule footing, foundation, rough, final, and trade inspections as work progresses.
- 07 Obtain certificate of occupancy before occupancy of a new structure.
Source: Newaygo County Department of Building Safety and Permits ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Newaygo County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Public county pages clearly state demolition base fees of $70 residential and $100 commercial; a general minimum building fee schedule was not fully published in plain text on the pages reviewed.
02
Reinspection fee
Work started prior to permit is doubled, not to exceed $600. Stop work orders cost $100. Failure to obtain a certificate of occupancy before occupancy costs $100. A $25 fee applies to certain later certificate of occupancy requests.
Checks are payable to Newaygo County Building Department. Major credit cards are accepted with a non-refundable service fee.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- County office phone and staff contact; inspection requests must allow a reasonable amount of time under code. (online)
- Inspection hours
- Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Typical sequence: Footing, foundation, rough framing, final building, plus trade-specific underground, rough-in, and final inspections.
Same-day inspection requests when the permit is applied for are treated as though work has already started.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Newaygo County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Newaygo County, MI? ▸
Before any construction, enlargement, alteration, total removal, demolition, or change in principal use. Ordinary repairs are exempt.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Newaygo County, MI? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Newaygo County, MI are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Public county pages clearly state demolition base fees of $70 residential and $100 commercial; a general minimum building fee schedule was not fully published in plain text on the pages reviewed..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Newaygo County, MI? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Newaygo County, MI, follow these steps: 1. Confirm zoning approval first with the township or city zoning official. 2. Obtain any required septic or sewer, well or water, soil erosion, driveway, floodplain, and energy code approvals. 3. Complete the county building permit application and attach duplicate working plans or blueprints. 4. Submit the packet to the county building department by mail or by contacting the office directly. 5. County staff reviews plans, issues the permit when complete, and assigns inspection stages. 6. Schedule footing, foundation, rough, final, and trade inspections as work progresses. 7. Obtain certificate of occupancy before occupancy of a new structure.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Newaygo County, MI? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Newaygo County, MI. The following work is generally exempt: Ordinary repairs.; Improvements that do not affect the integrity of the structure.. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Newaygo County, MI? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Newaygo County, MI via: County office phone and staff contact; inspection requests must allow a reasonable amount of time under code..
last verified April 2026
source Newaygo County Department of Building Safety and Permits ↗
entry id permits/michigan/newaygo/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Newaygo County Department of Building Safety and Permits before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.