City Building Permits

Novi, MI - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in Novi, Michigan. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Michigan Oakland County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

City-administered permits inside Novi city limits.

Department
Community Development Department, Building Division
Address
45175 Ten Mile Road, Novi, MI 48375
Phone
248-347-0415
Website
https://www.cityofnovi.org/services/community-development/forms-permits-and-applications/

Online Permit Portal

Open BS&A Online

Platform: BS&A Online • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online or in-person

Application Process

  1. Pull the correct permit and information sheet from the Novi forms and permits library.
  2. Prepare the building permit application and all project-specific attachments, including site, grading, or trade forms as applicable.
  3. Submit to Community Development and pay fees.
  4. If using online services, create and activate a BS&A account and link it to the City of Novi contractor record.
  5. Receive permit issuance after staff review.
  6. Schedule inspections through the online inspection portal using the assigned permit number.
  7. Complete all required inspections and occupancy closeout.

Typical processing time: If requesting an inspection for the following business day, it must be scheduled by 3:30 p.m.; separate single-family home occupancy request form asks for 2-day notice.

Source: Community Development Department, Building Division

General Requirements

City forms page states the building permit application must be completed for residential and non-residential permits and provides extensive scope-specific forms for new homes, land improvements, signs, temporary uses, floodplain, and trade work.

Required Documents

  • Building permit application
  • Plans
  • Grading and land-improvement documents where applicable
  • Trade permit applications
  • Truss and engineering support
  • City-specific checklists by scope
Building code
City enforces applicable Michigan construction codes through Community Development.
Owner-builder
City publishes a Homeowner Permit Policy and homeowner inspection-request instructions.
Contractor requirements
Contractors use a linked BS&A account tied to the city contractor record; trade and contractor qualification materials are included in the forms library.

Fees

Plan check fee
Project-specific values depend on permit type.
Permit fee formula
City publishes building and plan review fees by permit type on its fees page.
Payment note
Community Development invoice payment is linked online from the city site.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Community Development Department, Building Division to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Scheduling deadline
Next-business-day requests must be made by 3:30 p.m.

Typical inspection sequence: Permit issuance, discipline-specific inspections, final inspection, and occupancy request where applicable.

Additional Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Community Development Department, Building Division before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Novi Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Novi, MI?
City forms page states the building permit application must be completed for residential and non-residential permits and provides extensive scope-specific forms for new homes, land improvements, signs, temporary uses, floodplain, and trade work.
How much does a building permit cost in Novi, MI?
Fees are calculated as: City publishes building and plan review fees by permit type on its fees page.. Plan check fee: Project-specific values depend on permit type..
How do I apply for a building permit in Novi, MI?
1. Pull the correct permit and information sheet from the Novi forms and permits library. 2. Prepare the building permit application and all project-specific attachments, including site, grading, or trade forms as applicable. 3. Submit to Community Development and pay fees. 4. If using online services, create and activate a BS&A account and link it to the City of Novi contractor record. 5. Receive permit issuance after staff review. 6. Schedule inspections through the online inspection portal using the assigned permit number. 7. Complete all required inspections and occupancy closeout.
How long does it take to get a building permit in Novi, MI?
Typical processing time is If requesting an inspection for the following business day, it must be scheduled by 3:30 p.m.; separate single-family home occupancy request form asks for 2-day notice..
How do I schedule a building inspection in Novi, MI?
Inspections can be scheduled via: Online inspection portal, 248-347-0415. Next-business-day requests must be made by 3:30 p.m..

Need help with your project?

Navigating permits in Novi can be complicated.

Jaspector connects you with local experts who can review your scope, verify your contractor, and help you understand what permits your project actually needs.

Learn how Jaspector works
Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.

Other cities in Oakland County

Troy Farmington Hills Southfield Royal Oak Birmingham Rochester Hills Pontiac
View all Oakland County jurisdictions →