Building Permits

Q1:   What type of permit do I need for my construction project?

          ANSWER:   Commercial Building - A Building Permit, Residential Building (1-2 Family) – Residential Permit

 Q2:   How Do I apply for a building or residential permit?

          ANSWER:   Create account in the online permit application portal (ACCELA) (Contractors must connect license account to permit account), apply for a permit through Accela portal, submit scope of work, plans and other related documents portal (single-family and duplex residential structures may apply in the office)

Q3:   How long does it take to process and obtain a building or residential permit application?

          ANSWER:   Approximately 15 minutes to complete the online application and submit the documents online.  The review of the documents and issue of the permit may take from 4 hours for residential structures to 20 business days for commercial buildings

Q4:   Do I need to hire a licensed contractor, or can I do the work myself?

          ANSWER:   Commercial construction does not require a licensed contractor to perform the work (plans and drawings are required and must be sealed by a license engineer or architect) Residential construction can be performed by the building owner that will occupy the dwelling (if contractor is used he must be have a State of Michigan Builder's License that is registered with the City of Detroit)

Q5:   Can I start work on my project before obtaining a permit?

          ANSWER:   It is unlawful to perform construction work on a structure in the City of Detroit without first obtaining a permit from the Buildings Safety Engineering and Environmental Department

TRADE PERMITS

Q1:   Do I Need a permit for electrical, plumbing or furnace (mechanical) work? 

         ANSWER:   Yes, a permit is required.  Homeowners may apply for a permit for single-family structures.  A licensed contractor can apply for a trade permit for a multi-family or commercial structure. 

Q2:   What work does not require a building or trade permit? 

         ANSWER:   See the following webpage:

 Sign Permits

Q1:   Do I need a permit to install my sign must?

         ANSWER:   Yes (only licensed sign contractors can apply for a permit and install a sign in the City of Detroit)

Q2:   Is a Sign Permit needed for a temporary sign? 

         ANSWER:   Yes, all temporary signs attached to the ground or building on a parcel require a permit. 

Q3:   Once a sign is erected does it need to be renewed?

         ANSWER:   Yes, signs are licensed and must be renewed annually

ZONING

Q1:   Where can I find a copy of the City of Detroit's Chapter 50, zoning ordinance?

         ANSWER:   https://library.municode.com/mi/detroit/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COCH50

Q2:   What is the zoning and land use of my property?

         ANSWER:   To find the unofficial zoning and land use of your property, please click the links below. 

         Base Unit Tools | City of Detroit

         City of Detroit Parcel Viewer | City of Detroit

         Detroit Zoning Portal

         To request official zoning and land use information for a site, please apply for a Zoning Verification Letter

Q3:   Do I need a Special Land Use hearing?

         ANSWER:   If you have checked the City ofd Detroit's Chapter 50 Zoning Ordinance and it indicates the proposed use is conditional, regulated or a controlled use, yes you will need a hearing.

Q4:   Do I need a Site Plan Review for my site?

         ANSWER:   Some proposed developments that meet the applicability criteria have to be reviewed through site plan review before obtaining a building permit such as (1) New construction that involves new development that has more than 20,000 square feet of gross floor area, (2) Additions or major structural alterations that involve an increase of 25 percent or more in gross square footage to an existing building that contains more than 20,000 square feet of gross floor area, projects in a 100-year floodplain, Any conditional, regulated, or controlled land use and any case before the Board of Zoning Appeals as the body of first jurisdiction.

CONSTRUCTION

Q1:   What Building Codes, Ordinances and Acts should I follow for my construction project?

         ANSWER:   Building Ordinances are as follows, but are not limited to:

• 2021 Michigan Building Code

• 2015 Michigan Residential Code

• 2021 Michigan Rehabilitation Code for Existing Buildings

• 2019 City Detroit City Code

  https://library.municode.com/mi/detroit/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIVDECO_CH8BUCOPRMA

Q2:   Do I need an inspection after I complete the work under my permit?

         ANSWER:   Yes, an inspection must be requested after the work is completed and a Certificate of Acceptance (C of A) obtained to validate your permit. 

Q3:   Do I need a Certificate of Occupancy when I complete my construction project?

          ANSWER:   A Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) is issued as required for New Construction, Major Renovations, Change of Use, and to establish a New Use (as in a tenant build out).  Contact the Division at (313) 628-2711 for more information. 

Q4:   How can I, as a homeowner, get an electrical, plumbing or mechanical trade permit?

         ANSWER:   Homeowners can pull trade permits themselves with the proper documentation.  The homeowner needs to provide the: location, homeowner's information (name, address, city, state, zip code, phone number, and email address (if possible)), and proof of ownership, such as a driver's license with the current location that you are pulling the permit, a copy of the deed, or a copy of rental registration if the homeowner plans to rent the property and not live in it themselves (A contractor is needed when pulling permits for commercial property or multi-family dwellings (2-family dwellings & up).

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

Q1:   What if I already have a tenant living in my rental property, but am not registered or do not have a Certificate of Compliance? 

         ANSWER:   You need to take the following actions right away:  Register your property, Schedule your interior/exterior inspections            

Q2:   What must I do as a landlord? 

         ANSWER:   Visit this Landlord Certificate of Compliance Page to learn about the steps to achieving compliance.          

Q3:   What happens if I don’t obtain or maintain a valid Certificate of Compliance? 

         ANSWER:   You will receive a blight ticket. 

Q4:   How frequently do I have to have the property inspected? 

         ANSWER:   Every two years once a certificate of compliance is obtained.  

Q5:   Who is the responsible party for violations issued? 

         ANSWER:   Violations are issued to the owner.           

    Q6:   What determines a property dangerous? 

          ANSWER:   If doors and windows are open to the elements and yard is not maintained.

Q7:   How do you remove a property from Demolition List? 

         ANSWER:   The owner can apply/complete a deferral application.  Once deferral is approved the owner can pull permits (electrical, mechanical, plumbing) to restore the property to active use.  

BUSINESS LICENSE & TRADE PERMITS

Q1:   Do I need a business license to operate in the City of Detroit? 

         ANSWER:   Some, not all, business types need a business license, please visit the License & Permits Division webpage for a list of business types that require a business license BSEED Business License

Q2:   How do I apply for a Detroit business license? 

         ANSWER: Apply for a business license at the following link: ACCELA Customer Portal

Q3:   When does my business license expire and how do I renew it? 

         ANSWER:   Most business licenses are bi-annual. You will receive an email link to renew 

Q4:   Who should I contact if I need help with my business license application? 

         ANSWER:   Send an email request to [email protected] 

Q4:   Do I Need a permit for electrical, plumbing or furnace (mechanical) work? 

         ANSWER:   Yes, a permit is required.  Homeowners may apply for a permit for single-family structures.  A licensed contractor can apply for a trade permit for a multi-family or commercial structure. 

ENVIRONMENTAL

Q1:   How do I report environmental complaints such as trash and rodents?

         ANSWER:   Report your complaint at https://seeclickfix.com/detroit

Q2:   Do I need a Right of Entry Permit?

         ANSWER:   A Right-of-Entry (ROE) is required to access city, owned parcels and below ground access to City rights-of-way.

Q3:   How do I get my home exterminated for rodents?

         ANSWER:   The City of Detroit does not provide interior rodent extermination services, you would need to contact a private company

Q4:   Why doesn’t the city pick up illegal dumping?

         ANSWER:   It is a property owner’s responsibility to maintain their property free from all solid waste.  The Department of Public Works and its’ contractors remove accessible illegal dumping

Q5:   How do I report fugitive dust?

         ANSWER:   Fugitive dust may be reported on Improve Detroit https://seeclickfix.com/detroit

Q6:   Do I live in the floodplain? 

          ANSWER:   You may check to see if you live in a floodplain using FEMA’s map service here.