County Building Permits
Washtenaw County, MI - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Washtenaw County, Michigan. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
County administers building and trade permits in unincorporated county areas and in participating local jurisdictions that do not self-administer.
- Department
- Washtenaw County Building Inspection Department
- Address
- 705 N Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
- Phone
- 734-222-3900
Online Permit Portal
Platform: Citizen Self Service Portal • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online or in-person
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Determine permit type and jurisdiction served by county Building Inspection.
- Submit application, plans, and supporting documents through the Citizen Self Service Portal or county intake process.
- For trade permits, use the applicable county permit form and include payment information.
- County plan review occurs before permit issuance.
- Pay assessed fees.
- Permit is issued.
- Request required inspections and obtain final approval.
Typical processing time: No universal posted review time was located on the county pages reviewed.
General Requirements
Before construction or remodeling begins; county states plans must be submitted and approved before permits can be issued.
Required Documents
- Permit application
- Plans/specifications as applicable
- Payment information
- Permit-type-specific supporting documents
- Permit validity
- Permit remains valid as long as work is progressing and inspections are requested; permit becomes invalid if work is not commenced within six months after issuance or is suspended/abandoned for six months; cancelled permits cannot be refunded or reinstated.
- Building code
- County enforces Michigan state construction codes.
- Owner-builder
- Homeowners may obtain permits for work at their residence subject to Michigan law.
- Contractor requirements
- Michigan trade and residential licensing rules apply; county permit forms include contractor license/registration fields.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- Example county plumbing permit form states permit costs start at $80 and include 2 inspections.
- Plan check fee
- Applied where required; county states plans must be submitted and approved before permit issuance.
- Permit fee formula
- Permit-type-specific schedules embedded in each county application form.
- Reinspection fee
- Additional inspection fee $50; failure to post permit or permit number visible from street results in $50 reinspection fee.
- Payment note
- Credit card authorization form is available; if faxed, county notes same-day processing for reinspection fees only if received by 3:30 p.m., and new permit applications are processed in order received.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- One-story detached accessory structures up to 120 square feet
- Fences not more than 7 feet high
- Retaining walls not more than 4 feet high unless supporting surcharge or certain liquids
- Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade and not over a story below
- Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
- Limited electrical, mechanical, and plumbing minor repair exemptions under Michigan code
Important: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and other requirements. Unincorporated county zoning is typically administered by the relevant township, not county building inspection; confirm local township zoning before filing.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- County Building Inspection (provided on permit form and portal) (phone)
- Online permit portal for lookup and inspection results (online)
- Scheduling deadline
- Reinspection fax cutoff noted as 3:30 p.m. for same-day processing of fees.
Typical inspection sequence: Permit issuance, rough/trade inspections as applicable, final inspection.
Additional Resources
- Building code: County enforces Michigan state construction codes.
- Codes Enforced
- Building and Construction
- Permit Records
- 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 Washtenaw County Building Inspection Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Washtenaw County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Washtenaw County, MI?
- Before construction or remodeling begins; county states plans must be submitted and approved before permits can be issued.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Washtenaw County, MI?
- The minimum permit fee is Example county plumbing permit form states permit costs start at $80 and include 2 inspections.. Fees are calculated as: Permit-type-specific schedules embedded in each county application form.. Plan check fee: Applied where required; county states plans must be submitted and approved before permit issuance..
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Washtenaw County, MI?
- 1. Determine permit type and jurisdiction served by county Building Inspection. 2. Submit application, plans, and supporting documents through the Citizen Self Service Portal or county intake process. 3. For trade permits, use the applicable county permit form and include payment information. 4. County plan review occurs before permit issuance. 5. Pay assessed fees. 6. Permit is issued. 7. Request required inspections and obtain final approval.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Washtenaw County, MI?
- Typical processing time is No universal posted review time was located on the county pages reviewed..
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Washtenaw County, MI?
- The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures up to 120 square feet; Fences not more than 7 feet high; Retaining walls not more than 4 feet high unless supporting surcharge or certain liquids; Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade and not over a story below; Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work; Limited electrical, mechanical, and plumbing minor repair exemptions under Michigan code. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and other requirements. Unincorporated county zoning is typically administered by the relevant township, not county building inspection; confirm local township zoning before filing.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Washtenaw County, MI?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: County Building Inspection (provided on permit form and portal), Online permit portal for lookup and inspection results. Reinspection fax cutoff noted as 3:30 p.m. for same-day processing of fees..
Need help with your project?
Navigating permits in Unincorporated Washtenaw County can be complicated.
Jaspector connects you with local experts who can review your scope, verify your contractor, and help you understand what permits your project actually needs.
Learn how Jaspector works