County Building Permits
Oakland County, MI - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Oakland County, Michigan. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
General construction permits in unincorporated Oakland County are administered by the applicable township or its contracted enforcing agency. Oakland County Health Division administers septic and environmental health permits countywide.
- Department
- Oakland County Health Division (septic permits) / Township Building Departments (general permits)
- Address
- Oakland County Health Division offices; township offices vary by jurisdiction
Online Permit Portal
Platform: Citizen Access Portal • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online or in-person
Application Process
- Identify the exact township or local enforcing agency for the parcel; unincorporated Oakland County is not a single permitting jurisdiction for general building permits.
- For septic work, register in the Oakland County Citizen Access Portal or submit at a county office.
- Select the correct permit type, such as new residential, replacement residential, new non-residential, or replacement non-residential septic permit.
- Upload application materials and pay fees.
- County reviews the application and coordinates inspections for septic work.
- For general building work, follow the township or contracted enforcing agency process for building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits.
Source: Oakland County Health Division (septic permits) / Township Building Departments (general permits)
General Requirements
Septic permits are required for new, replacement, alteration, and repair work described on the county page; general building permit requirements depend on the township or local enforcing agency serving the unincorporated parcel.
Required Documents
- Septic application materials
- Sketch guidance and any county supporting documents
- General building submittals depend on the township or enforcing agency
- Building code
- Michigan state construction code provides the baseline; local township or contracted code agency administers general building permits in unincorporated areas.
- Contractor requirements
- County septic installer licensing applies in Oakland County; county sanitary code states it is unlawful to install, construct, alter, or repair onsite sewage disposal systems without an Oakland County Health Division license.
Fees
- Payment note
- County notes a website service fee is charged through the Citizen Access Portal and displayed before checkout.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Oakland County Health Division (septic permits) / Township Building Departments (general permits) to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Oakland County Health Division (septic inspections) / Township Building Department (general building) (phone)
Typical inspection sequence: Septic inspections are handled through Oakland County Health Division; general building inspections are handled by the applicable township or enforcing agency.
Additional Resources
- Building code: Michigan state construction code provides the baseline; local township or contracted code agency administers general building permits in unincorporated areas.
- Oakland County Government Services
- Michigan Bureau of Construction Code
- 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 Oakland County Health Division (septic permits) / Township Building Departments (general permits) before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Oakland County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Oakland County, MI?
- Septic permits are required for new, replacement, alteration, and repair work described on the county page; general building permit requirements depend on the township or local enforcing agency serving the unincorporated parcel.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Oakland County, MI?
- 1. Identify the exact township or local enforcing agency for the parcel; unincorporated Oakland County is not a single permitting jurisdiction for general building permits. 2. For septic work, register in the Oakland County Citizen Access Portal or submit at a county office. 3. Select the correct permit type, such as new residential, replacement residential, new non-residential, or replacement non-residential septic permit. 4. Upload application materials and pay fees. 5. County reviews the application and coordinates inspections for septic work. 6. For general building work, follow the township or contracted enforcing agency process for building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Oakland County, MI?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Oakland County Health Division (septic inspections) / Township Building Department (general building).
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