Sanilac County, MI - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Unincorporated Sanilac County and, by local agreement or ordinance, several municipalities that route building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permits through the county

Department

Sanilac County Construction and Land Use Department

Phone

810-648-4664

Website

https://www.sanilaccounty.net

Application Process

1. Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated county jurisdiction and identify whether building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, demolition, or land use review is needed.
2. Submit a properly completed application to the Construction and Land Use Department.
3. Provide plans and any supporting documents required by the permit type.
4. Pay required fees and complete any pre-issuance site conditions.
5. Department review and issuance.

Source: Sanilac County Construction and Land Use Department

General Requirements

County materials say permits are required for new construction, additions, remodels, accessory structures, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, demolition, and maintenance work regulated by state code

Required Documents

• Completed application, plans, plot/site information, contractor and owner information, and any additional agency permits required by the department

Building code

Michigan Construction Code baseline; the county page reviewed did not publish a single consolidated code edition statement

Owner-builder

County forms and instructions state a homeowner may apply for trade permits only when the homeowner is doing the work on their own single-family dwelling; a homeowner may not take out a permit if hiring a contractor

Contractor requirements

Trade permits must be applied for by the person actually doing the work, including a licensed Michigan contractor for the applicable trade

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Michigan state code exemptions likely still apply, but verify locally for borderline scopes

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Phone at 810-648-4664 and fax with required permit information (phone)

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Typical inspection sequence: Permit holder requests inspection, provides permit number, permit type, site address, city/village/township, section, and callback number

Requests missing required information will not be honored; inspections are placed in the next available slot

Additional Resources

• Building code: Michigan Construction Code baseline; the county page reviewed did not publish a single consolidated code edition statement
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• License lookup guide: Michigan Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Michigan Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Michigan hub: Michigan Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Sanilac County Building Permit FAQ

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

County materials say permits are required for new construction, additions, remodels, accessory structures, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, demolition, and maintenance work regulated by state code

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

1. Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated county jurisdiction and identify whether building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, demolition, or land use review is needed. 2. Submit a properly completed application to the Construction and Land Use Department. 3. Provide plans and any supporting documents required by the permit type. 4. Pay required fees and complete any pre-issuance site conditions. 5. Department review and issuance.

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

The following work is generally exempt: Michigan state code exemptions likely still apply, but verify locally for borderline scopes.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: Phone at 810-648-4664 and fax with required permit information.