Holland, MI — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

City of Holland Community and Neighborhood Services, Building

Street address

270 S River Avenue, 3rd Floor, Holland, MI 49423

Phone

616-355-1330

permits@cityofholland.com

Coverage

City-run permitting for properties inside Holland city limits, including the Ottawa County portion of the city.

Online portal

City of Holland Permits

CivicPlus forms, BS&A Online, Access My Gov

Website

Department website

Additional resources

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Holland

City examples include additions, decks, fences, basement finishing, garages, gazebos, new houses, pools, reroofing over 25 percent, bath remodels, sheds of any size, siding, new drywall, and window or door size changes.

Scope of work

Permit?

Ceramic tile

Exempt

Curtains

Exempt

Install storm door

Exempt

Landscaping

Exempt

Linoleum

Exempt

Locks

Exempt

New carpet

Exempt

Painting

Exempt

Repair drywall

Exempt

Repair steps or ceiling

Exempt

Replace broken window glass

Exempt

Replace door

Exempt

Wallpaper

Exempt

Exempt Ceramic tile
Exempt Curtains
Exempt Install storm door
Exempt Landscaping
Exempt Linoleum
Exempt Locks
Exempt New carpet
Exempt Painting
Exempt Repair drywall
Exempt Repair steps or ceiling
Exempt Replace broken window glass
Exempt Replace door
Exempt Wallpaper

Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning requirements. Confirm with City of Holland before proceeding.

Required documents

Permit application
Plans
Accurate site plan or survey
Sealed plans when required
Trade permit applications for electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work
Contractor registration for contractors using city workflows

Building code: City administers current State of Michigan construction codes. As of March 25, 2026 this means the 2021 Michigan Building Code and 2021 Michigan Rehabilitation Code are in effect, while the 2015 Michigan Residential Code remains in effect pending the 2025 court-ordered injunction on the proposed residential code update.
Permit validity: Permits expire after 180 days. Expired permits cannot be refunded or reinstated.
Owner-builder: Homeowners may apply directly for work on their property; city forms distinguish owner and contractor applicants.
Contractor requirements: Contractors must register with the city; state licensing anti-circumvention notice appears on permit forms for residential work.

Source: City of Holland Community and Neighborhood Services, Building ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: City states review may take 2 to 4 weeks after submission.

01

Confirm permit need against the city permit list or brochure, then assemble plans and a site plan or survey.
02

Submit the completed application and plans to Community and Neighborhood Services by email at permits@cityofholland.com or by drop-off at City Hall, 3rd Floor.
03

For new one- and two-family dwellings, additions, and accessory buildings over 200 square feet, submit the building application plus the plan review list and any sealed plans required by the city.
04

Pay assessed fees after review; separate building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permits are issued as needed.
05

Receive permit documents before starting work.
06

Request inspections with at least 24 hours notice and complete finals before occupancy or closeout.

Typical processing time: City states review may take 2 to 4 weeks after submission.

Source: City of Holland Community and Neighborhood Services, Building ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Effective 2026

Fee type

Amount

Minimum permit fee

$70

Plan check fee

Included through plan review requirements where applicable; permit-specific forms should be checked for exact review charges.

Permit fee formula

Valuation-based. City states $70 for $0 to $1,000, then $7 per additional $1,000 up to $50,000, then $413 for the first $50,000 and $5 per additional $1,000 or fraction thereafter.

Reinspection fee

Late fee of $100 per day for work started before permit issuance

The 2026 fee book states credit cards are not accepted for City of Holland invoices and no credit card payments are accepted over $5,000. BS&A online payment tools are linked from the permit pages.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective 2026) before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

616-355-1330 (phone)
Access My Gov (contractors) (online)

Scheduling deadline: Minimum 24 hours notice required
Inspection hours: Building, plumbing, and mechanical inspections are scheduled between 9:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. depending on inspector availability

Typical sequence: Progress inspections by trade and building discipline before concealment, then final inspection, then certificate or closeout as applicable.

Source: City of Holland Community and Neighborhood Services, Building ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Holland permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Holland, MI? ▸

02 How much does a building permit cost in Holland, MI? ▸

Building permit fees in Holland, MI are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $70. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based. City states $70 for $0 to $1,000, then $7 per additional $1,000 up to $50,000, then $413 for the first $50,000 and $5 per additional $1,000 or fraction thereafter.. Plan check fee: Included through plan review requirements where applicable; permit-specific forms should be checked for exact review charges..

03 How do I apply for a building permit in Holland, MI? ▸

To apply for a building permit in Holland, MI, follow these steps: 1. Confirm permit need against the city permit list or brochure, then assemble plans and a site plan or survey. 2. Submit the completed application and plans to Community and Neighborhood Services by email at permits@cityofholland.com or by drop-off at City Hall, 3rd Floor. 3. For new one- and two-family dwellings, additions, and accessory buildings over 200 square feet, submit the building application plus the plan review list and any sealed plans required by the city. 4. Pay assessed fees after review; separate building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permits are issued as needed. 5. Receive permit documents before starting work. 6. Request inspections with at least 24 hours notice and complete finals before occupancy or closeout.

04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Holland, MI? ▸

Building permit processing times in Holland, MI typically run City states review may take 2 to 4 weeks after submission.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

05 What work is exempt from building permits in Holland, MI? ▸

Not all construction work requires a permit in Holland, MI. The following work is generally exempt: Ceramic tile; Curtains; Install storm door; Landscaping; Linoleum; Locks; New carpet; Painting; Repair drywall; Repair steps or ceiling; Replace broken window glass; Replace door; Wallpaper. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning requirements. Confirm with City of Holland before proceeding. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Holland, MI? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Holland, MI via: 616-355-1330, Access My Gov (contractors). Minimum 24 hours notice required.

last verified April 2026 source City of Holland Community and Neighborhood Services, Building ↗ entry id permits/michigan/ottawa/holland

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Holland Community and Neighborhood Services, Building before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

City of Holland

Other jurisdictions in Ottawa County.