County Building Permits
Wexford County, MI - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Wexford County, Michigan. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
all of Wexford County except Cedar Creek Township, City of Manton, and City of Cadillac
- Department
- Wexford County Building Department
- Address
- 401 N. Lake St., Cadillac, MI 49601
- Phone
- (231) 779-9465
Application Process
General Requirements
Required Documents
- completed application, scaled plans and specs, zoning approval, well/septic documentation, driveway permit or waiver, REScheck if applicable, address application if applicable, sealed drawings for commercial buildings, 3,500 sq ft or larger single family homes, and structures over 12 ft sidewall height
- Permit validity
- permit becomes invalid if work is not started within 180 days or is suspended/abandoned for 180 days; extensions may be granted in writing in 180-day increments
- Building code
- 2015 Michigan Residential Code for residential construction, 2021 Michigan Building Code for commercial construction, 2023 NEC and 2023 MEC for electrical work as of March 12, 2024
- Owner-builder
- owner or owner's representative files the permit; packet includes a homeowner affidavit when the homeowner acts as general contractor
- Contractor requirements
- county references state licensing and sealed design requirements; commercial work and larger residential work require licensed architect or engineer on plans where applicable
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $100 application fee
- Permit fee formula
- dwellings and additions 20 cents per sq ft; manufactured homes 17 cents per sq ft; garages and pole buildings 16 cents per sq ft; commercial and industrial 23 cents per sq ft
- Reinspection fee
- investigative inspection fee $80, administrative fee $50, maximum refund of 75 percent of any fee, and cancelled permits are not refunded or reopened
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Residential one-story detached accessory structure under 200 sq ft and under 10 ft high: no building permit, but zoning approval is still required
- County packet also includes statutory exceptions for certain governmental subdivision/state work and minor alterations as determined by the building official
Inspections
How to Schedule
- permit holder calls for inspections (phone)
- Inspection hours
- county page lists inspectors as available on assigned inspection days, but not specific daily windows
Typical inspection sequence: footing, backfill, rough, final
if plumbing/mechanical/electrical are not completed before framing inspection, additional inspection may be needed and a reinspection fee may be assessed
Additional Resources
- Building code: 2015 Michigan Residential Code for residential construction, 2021 Michigan Building Code for commercial construction, 2023 NEC and 2023 MEC for electrical work as of March 12, 2024
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Soil erosion
- Address ordinance
- Online zoning map
- 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 Wexford County Building Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Wexford County Building Permit FAQ
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Wexford County, MI?
- The minimum permit fee is $100 application fee. Fees are calculated as: dwellings and additions 20 cents per sq ft; manufactured homes 17 cents per sq ft; garages and pole buildings 16 cents per sq ft; commercial and industrial 23 cents per sq ft.
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Wexford County, MI?
- The following work is generally exempt: Residential one-story detached accessory structure under 200 sq ft and under 10 ft high: no building permit, but zoning approval is still required; County packet also includes statutory exceptions for certain governmental subdivision/state work and minor alterations as determined by the building official.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Wexford County, MI?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: permit holder calls for inspections.
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