Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department (BSEED)

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Services

Pay BSEED Fees Pay fees to the Building Environmental Engineering and Safety Department online.
See All City Services
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We create safe environments for city residents

 

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Owning in Detroit. Now What?

Know your responsibilities, here's the steps to being a Residential and Commercial owner!

Learn More

 

Our Mission

The Buildings, Safety, Engineering, and Environmental Department is called BSEED.

We’re here to provide for the safety, health and welfare of the general public as it ensures maintenance of buildings and the surrounding environment through environmental regulations, building code compliance, property maintenance enforcement, zoning code adherence and permitting. We help Detroiters:

  • Apply for a Building Permit
  • Apply for a Electrical, Plumbing or Mechanical Permit
  • Get your Business License
  • Request a Construction Inspection
  • Get your Building Certified as Compliant
  • Register and Certify your Rental Property

 

 

Resources

 

Registered Rental

Is Your Rental Property Registered?

Check Properties in Your Neighborhood

Learn More

 

Permit
 
GET A PERMIT
Detroit permitting portal

 

pay fee
 
PAY BSEED FEE
Pay your BSEED fees online.

 

Rental Certificate
 
RENTAL CERTIFICATE
How to obtain a Rental Certificate

 

 

Permitting Portal
 
PERMITTING PORTAL
See where your project is allowed

 

 

commercial cert
 
COMMERCIAL CERTIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE
How to obtain a commercial

 

documents
 
DOCUMENTS
Frequently requested documents

 

 

forms
 
FORMS
Frequently requested forms "How do file a rental complaint"

 

Land based projects
 
LAND BASED PROJECTS
Agriculture, gardening, beautification; Starting a business using oepen land.

 

BUSINESS LICENSE GUIDES
 
BUSINESS LICENSE GUIDES
Guide to applications, clearances, documents and fees

 

NEW BSEED FEES
 
BSEED FEES
BSEED new fees effective as of 01.01. 2024
Modified 7.18.2025

 

 

BSEED Divisions

Development Resource Center
Simple and easy to navigate online systems will allow you to submit plans and apply for building permits faster than ever before, schedule Preliminary Plan Review, Learn where your Project is allowed.

Zoning
Site Plan Reviews, public hearings for Conditional Land Uses, per the City of Detroit Zoning Ordinance, and conducts historical research for the purpose of zoning verification.

Construction
Performs inspections of construction activities in order to ensure construction projects meet approved plans and are in compliance with building codes and standards and includes the following trades-boilers, buildings, electrical, elevators, mechanical, and plumbing.

Licensing and Permits
Issues business licenses & permits; Ensures businesses are operating compliant with City Code.

Property Maintenance
Ensures compliance for commercial & residential properties and enforces the rental ordinance, property maintenance, and dangerous building codes.

Environmental Affairs
Conserve and protect the water, air, and land resources of the City of Detroit in the interests of the health, safety and welfare of the people, to promote improved social and economic conditions, and to protect limited environmental resources for the future benefit of residents. through coordinated efforts with federal, state, and local agencies, as well as community groups and citizens.  Environmental Affairs is here to serve the public trust by enforcing environmental regulations through policy and inspections.

 

More about BSEED Divisions