Presque Isle County, MI - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

County staff state they issue building permits for the entire county and enforce the state construction code plus county zoning ordinances.

Department

Presque Isle County Department of Building and Zoning

Address

106 E. Huron Avenue, Suite B, Rogers City, MI 49779

Phone

989-734-2915

Email

pibuild@picounty.org

Website

https://presqueislecounty.org/building-and-zoning-department/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm zoning approval is in place first, because the county states zoning permits are required before a building permit can be issued.
2. Complete the building permit application and inspection schedule.
3. Attach a construction drawing detailed enough for review.
4. Provide soil erosion permit documents if the project triggers them.
5. Pay the required fee with the application; county materials state the application is not complete without payment.
6. County staff review the packet, issue the permit if compliant, and then the holder schedules required inspections.

Source: Presque Isle County Department of Building and Zoning

General Requirements

County materials say permits are issued for construction, repairs, remodeling, additions, and relocation of new or existing structures throughout the county. Separate zoning approval is required for new construction, additions, and increases in building footprint, and soil erosion approval is required for 1 acre or more of disturbance or work within 500 feet of a lake, river, stream, or wetland.

Required Documents

• Signed application, signed inspection schedule, construction drawings, zoning permit if applicable, soil erosion permit if applicable, payment.

Permit validity

The public packet does not clearly state a universal expiration period in the extracted text. It does include re-open inactive permit and maintenance fee lines, which implies permits can lapse administratively if left inactive.

Building code

Michigan Residential Code 2021 and Michigan Building Code 2021 are referenced in the county packet; the county department also says it administers the Michigan Construction Code, Michigan Residential Code, Michigan Building Code, and county zoning ordinances.

Owner-builder

County application includes a homeowner certification that the owner may do the work in the owner's own home in which the owner is living or about to occupy.

Contractor requirements

Contractor name, license number, expiration date, FEIN or exemption reason, workers compensation and liability insurance carrier or exemption reason, and MESC number or exemption reason are requested on the application.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Base fee for all building permits is $75 residential and $100 commercial.

Plan check fee

Residential plan review is no charge if plans are submitted with the application, or $50 if plans are received without the application. Commercial plan review is 30% up to $2,500 of the permit fee.

Permit fee formula

Mixed fee schedule. Residential and commercial building permits are largely square-footage-based; alterations/fire restoration are valuation-based; some items are flat fees.

Reinspection fee

Re-inspection after corrections is $75 per inspection. Special or investigative correction fee is $100 per site visit. Work without permit is doubled and the schedule lists escalating offense fines.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• No county-specific exempt-work list was clearly published in the reviewed packet.
• Thin-data note: The county packet does not provide a clean exemption table, so project-specific confirmation is needed against Michigan code thresholds and the county office.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Permit holder or agent notifies the building official; the packet requires 24 hours notice to schedule inspections. (contact)

Inspection hours

Building official hours are listed as M-F 8:00 am to 4:00 pm on the county department page; the packet also lists inspector office hours for some trades.

Typical inspection sequence: New residential work typically follows footing, foundation, rough plumbing/mechanical/electrical, framing, insulation, and final inspections. Decks and pole barns follow footing, framing rough, and final. Commercial work follows footing/foundation, slab/under-floor, rough trade inspections, framing rough, insulation, other required inspections, and final.

Re-inspections after corrections are invoiced at $75 per inspection.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Michigan Residential Code 2021 and Michigan Building Code 2021 are referenced in the county packet; the county department also says it administers the Michigan Construction Code, Michigan Residential Code, Michigan Building Code, and county zoning ordinances.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Other useful links
• Other useful links
• License lookup guide: Michigan Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Michigan Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Michigan hub: Michigan Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Presque Isle County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Presque Isle County, MI?

County materials say permits are issued for construction, repairs, remodeling, additions, and relocation of new or existing structures throughout the county. Separate zoning approval is required for new construction, additions, and increases in building footprint, and soil erosion approval is required for 1 acre or more of disturbance or work within 500 feet of a lake, river, stream, or wetland.

How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Presque Isle County, MI?

The minimum permit fee is Base fee for all building permits is $75 residential and $100 commercial.. Fees are calculated as: Mixed fee schedule. Residential and commercial building permits are largely square-footage-based; alterations/fire restoration are valuation-based; some items are flat fees.. Plan check fee: Residential plan review is no charge if plans are submitted with the application, or $50 if plans are received without the application. Commercial plan review is 30% up to $2,500 of the permit fee..

How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Presque Isle County, MI?

1. Confirm zoning approval is in place first, because the county states zoning permits are required before a building permit can be issued. 2. Complete the building permit application and inspection schedule. 3. Attach a construction drawing detailed enough for review. 4. Provide soil erosion permit documents if the project triggers them. 5. Pay the required fee with the application; county materials state the application is not complete without payment. 6. County staff review the packet, issue the permit if compliant, and then the holder schedules required inspections.

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Presque Isle County, MI?

The following work is generally exempt: No county-specific exempt-work list was clearly published in the reviewed packet.; Thin-data note: The county packet does not provide a clean exemption table, so project-specific confirmation is needed against Michigan code thresholds and the county office..

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Presque Isle County, MI?

Inspections can be scheduled via: Permit holder or agent notifies the building official; the packet requires 24 hours notice to schedule inspections..