City Building Permits
Georgetown Township, MI - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in Georgetown Township, Michigan. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Township zoning compliance is administered by Georgetown Township; building code permit issuance and inspection questions are handled through contracted agency PCI.
- Department
- Georgetown Charter Township Building and Zoning Department, with contracted code inspections by Professional Code Inspections, Inc. (PCI)
- Address
- Georgetown Charter Township Office, 1515 Baldwin Street, Jenison, MI 49429-0769; PCI permit office, 1913 Baldwin Street, Jenison, MI 49428
- Phone
- Township 616-457-2340; PCI 616-667-8803
Online Permit Portal
Platform: CivicEngage, PCI, SeamlessDocs • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Determine whether the project needs building permit, zoning compliance, or both; Georgetown publishes a project checklist and FAQ page.
- For residential work, submit the building permit and zoning compliance application directly to PCI at 1913 Baldwin St., Jenison, with required supporting items and zoning fee payment.
- For commercial work, submit the application packet to Georgetown Township with the approved site plan, sealed plans, PDF plan file, and required county approvals; the township then forwards the application to PCI after zoning review.
- Obtain required outside approvals before permit release, including Ottawa County Road Commission driveway permit and Ottawa County Water Resources soil erosion or storm water permits when applicable.
- PCI contacts the applicant with permit completion status and the building permit fee amount; permit pickup is through PCI.
- Complete required inspections and obtain both Certificate of Occupancy and township zoning compliance certificate before occupancy or use.
General Requirements
Township checklist lists additions, agricultural buildings, bathroom remodels, basement finishes, carports, new or modified decks, door or window size changes, fireplaces, gazebos, new houses, new garages, roof truss work, pools, sheds, and steps.
Required Documents
- Completed application
- Site plan with setbacks and structures
- Assessing sheet for certain residential projects
- Construction plans
- Digital PDF plan file
- Approved township site plan for commercial work
- County approvals for driveway, soil erosion, storm water, floodplain, or utilities when triggered
- Permit validity
- Not clearly summarized on the township overview pages reviewed.
- Building code
- Township materials require compliance with applicable State of Michigan laws and construction codes; code inspection functions are handled by PCI under township contract.
- Owner-builder
- Residential application materials allow owner or contractor applicants.
- Contractor requirements
- Residential and commercial forms request builder license and related employer and workers compensation information; state anti-circumvention notice is included.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $50
- Plan check fee
- Commercial packet states a $200 building and zoning compliance review fee. Publicly posted PCI plan check formula was not located.
- Permit fee formula
- Township zoning fee for additions, decks, sheds, and similar residential projects is $50; buildings 1,000 square feet and greater are $100. Commercial building and zoning compliance review fee is $200. Building permit fees are determined by PCI and not summarized on the township pages reviewed.
- Payment note
- Commercial materials direct township fees to Georgetown Township. Residential packet states zoning fees are paid at PCI for residential permits. New-home water and sewer fees in plats use a SeamlessDocs payment link.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Adding, replacing, or removing concrete or asphalt, except possible right-of-way permits through Ottawa County Road Commission
- Landscaping
- Painting or wallpaper
- Playsets or playhouses
- Replacing doors of the same size
- Replacing flooring
- Replacing roof shingles
- Replacing siding
- Replacing windows of the same size
Important: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning requirements. Confirm with Georgetown Township before proceeding.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- PCI 616-667-8803 (phone)
Typical inspection sequence: Township materials require on-site inspections for compliance and require Certificate of Occupancy and zoning compliance certificate before occupancy. Specific inspection sequencing is managed through PCI by permit type.
Additional Resources
- Building code: Township materials require compliance with applicable State of Michigan laws and construction codes; code inspection functions are handled by PCI under township contract.
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Do I Need a Building Permit
- FAQs
- Pool Ordinances
- 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 Georgetown Charter Township Building and Zoning Department, with contracted code inspections by Professional Code Inspections, Inc. (PCI) before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Georgetown Township Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in Georgetown Township, MI?
- Township checklist lists additions, agricultural buildings, bathroom remodels, basement finishes, carports, new or modified decks, door or window size changes, fireplaces, gazebos, new houses, new garages, roof truss work, pools, sheds, and steps.
- How much does a building permit cost in Georgetown Township, MI?
- The minimum permit fee is $50. Fees are calculated as: Township zoning fee for additions, decks, sheds, and similar residential projects is $50; buildings 1,000 square feet and greater are $100. Commercial building and zoning compliance review fee is $200. Building permit fees are determined by PCI and not summarized on the township pages reviewed.. Plan check fee: Commercial packet states a $200 building and zoning compliance review fee. Publicly posted PCI plan check formula was not located..
- How do I apply for a building permit in Georgetown Township, MI?
- 1. Determine whether the project needs building permit, zoning compliance, or both; Georgetown publishes a project checklist and FAQ page. 2. For residential work, submit the building permit and zoning compliance application directly to PCI at 1913 Baldwin St., Jenison, with required supporting items and zoning fee payment. 3. For commercial work, submit the application packet to Georgetown Township with the approved site plan, sealed plans, PDF plan file, and required county approvals; the township then forwards the application to PCI after zoning review. 4. Obtain required outside approvals before permit release, including Ottawa County Road Commission driveway permit and Ottawa County Water Resources soil erosion or storm water permits when applicable. 5. PCI contacts the applicant with permit completion status and the building permit fee amount; permit pickup is through PCI. 6. Complete required inspections and obtain both Certificate of Occupancy and township zoning compliance certificate before occupancy or use.
- What work is exempt from building permits in Georgetown Township, MI?
- The following work is generally exempt: Adding, replacing, or removing concrete or asphalt, except possible right-of-way permits through Ottawa County Road Commission; Landscaping; Painting or wallpaper; Playsets or playhouses; Replacing doors of the same size; Replacing flooring; Replacing roof shingles; Replacing siding; Replacing windows of the same size. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning requirements. Confirm with Georgetown Township before proceeding.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in Georgetown Township, MI?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: PCI 616-667-8803.
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