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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Ogemaw County
County issues construction-related permits for all of Ogemaw County. Roofing and siding permits are required in the county according to the county building permit handout, though another county info sheet also says roofing and siding permits are no longer required. That is conflicting county data, so treat roofing/siding as verify-by-phone.
County published a building handout with permit triggers, but I did not find a reliable county list of exempt work types in the reviewed sources.
One county handout says roofing and siding permits are no longer required, but a separate county building permit handout says roofing and siding permits are required as of October 1, 2011. This is contradictory and should be confirmed directly with the county before relying on it.
- Exempt County published a building handout with permit triggers, but I did not find a reliable county list of exempt work types in the reviewed sources.
- Exempt One county handout says roofing and siding permits are no longer required, but a separate county building permit handout says roofing and siding permits are required as of October 1, 2011. This is contradictory and should be confirmed directly with the county before relying on it.
Required documents
- County materials mention septic tank permit if bedrooms are added, driveway permit or approval if the property borders a county road, floor plan, cross section, and site plan with lot-line dimensions.
- Building code
- Michigan code baseline applies. Michigan LARA states the 2021 Michigan Building Code is current and effective April 9, 2025, while residential requirements remain in the 2015 Michigan Residential Code because the 2021 residential update is stayed.
- Contractor requirements
- County residential application asks for builder license number and whether the contractor is registered in Ogemaw County. Section 23a language warns against circumventing licensing requirements.
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Confirm zoning and any special approvals before starting.
- 02 Obtain the correct permit application from the county office or county website.
- 03 Assemble required project documents, usually including a site plan, floor plan, and cross section. Some projects also need septic approval and driveway approval.
- 04 Submit the application with payment to the county building office or by email if accepted for the project.
- 05 County building staff review the package and zoning compliance.
- 06 Permit is issued after compliance review and payment.
- 07 Inspections are scheduled as work progresses.
§ 04
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Phone and in person during inspector availability windows. (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Building office 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.; secretary 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Typical sequence: County building department performs all inspections. The county residential application says building permit includes 3 inspections, with additional inspections possible.
§ 05
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Ogemaw County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Ogemaw County, MI? ▸
County issues construction-related permits for all of Ogemaw County. Roofing and siding permits are required in the county according to the county building permit handout, though another county info sheet also says roofing and siding permits are no longer required. That is conflicting county data, so treat roofing/siding as verify-by-phone.
02 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Ogemaw County, MI? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Ogemaw County, MI, follow these steps: 1. Confirm zoning and any special approvals before starting. 2. Obtain the correct permit application from the county office or county website. 3. Assemble required project documents, usually including a site plan, floor plan, and cross section. Some projects also need septic approval and driveway approval. 4. Submit the application with payment to the county building office or by email if accepted for the project. 5. County building staff review the package and zoning compliance. 6. Permit is issued after compliance review and payment. 7. Inspections are scheduled as work progresses.
03 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Ogemaw County, MI? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Ogemaw County, MI. The following work is generally exempt: County published a building handout with permit triggers, but I did not find a reliable county list of exempt work types in the reviewed sources.; One county handout says roofing and siding permits are no longer required, but a separate county building permit handout says roofing and siding permits are required as of October 1, 2011. This is contradictory and should be confirmed directly with the county before relying on it.. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
04 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Ogemaw County, MI? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Ogemaw County, MI via: Phone and in person during inspector availability windows..
last verified April 2026
entry id permits/michigan/ogemaw/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Ogemaw County Building and Soil Erosion / Ogemaw County Building Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.