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

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 through the ProjectDox portal (single-family and duplex residential structures may apply in the office)

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

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)
 

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

    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

See the following webpage:

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

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

Yes, signs are licensed and must be renewed annually.

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

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
 

    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.
 

    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.

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
 

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

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. 

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).

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

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

You will receive a blight ticket

Every two years once a certificate of compliance is obtained.  

Violations are issued to the owner.      

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

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.   

 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
 

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

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

Send an email request to [email protected]

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. 

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

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

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

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

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

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