Building Safety in Lansing, MI

If you live in Lansing or are thinking about moving there, building safety are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Lansing has 3 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of building safety, and some of them might surprise you.

Building Permits

Lansing does not write its own building code: Section 1420.01 adopts the State-approved Michigan Building Code under the Stille-DeRossett-Hale Act and assumes local responsibility for administering and enforcing it. Where City ordinances conflict with the state code, the Michigan Building Code controls, and building inspectors enforce compliance through municipal civil infractions.

Key details: Code used: State-approved Michigan Building Code, not a local code. Authorizing state law: Stille-DeRossett-Hale Act, MCL 125.1501 et seq.. Conflict rule: State building code controls over local ordinance. Who enforces: Building inspectors and the Building Official. Violation type: Municipal civil infraction under Section 1420.99.

Working without inspection or otherwise violating Chapter 1420 is a municipal civil infraction under Section 1420.99, cited by a building inspector or the Building Official and heard at the Municipal Ordinance Violations Bureau or in court. It carries the civil fine set in Section 203.06 plus costs, with repeat violations drawing increased fines under Section 202.99(c)(2).

Electrical Permits

Lansing requires a separate electrical permit from the Building Official for any electrical system installed, altered, repaired, replaced, or remodeled in the city, under City Codified Ordinances § 1424.15(a). Only a short exempt-work list, portable plug-in appliances, temporary decorative lighting, and like-for-like repairs, skips the permit. Work has to be done by a City-registered electrical contractor or journeyman, or in narrow cases by the homeowner.

Key details: Permit required: any new or altered electrical system. Issuing office: Building Official. Permit expiration: 180 days if work not started. Unpermitted work fee: investigation fee equals full permit fee. Homeowner exemption: owner-occupied single-family only.

Working without a permit draws an investigation fee equal to the amount the permit itself would have cost, on top of the permit fee, under § 1424.19(b), and paying that fee does not excuse the contractor from any other penalty. A separate violation of the Electrical Code under § 1424.11 is a municipal civil infraction under § 1424.99, carrying the civil fine set by § 203.06 plus costs, with repeat offenses drawing the increased fine schedule in § 202.99(c)(2). The Building Official can also suspend or revoke a permit issued in error or on incorrect information under § 1424.16(e).

Plumbing Permits

Lansing requires plumbers and plumbing contractors to register their state license with the Building Safety Office before doing any plumbing work under the state-adopted plumbing code.

Key details: Who must register: master/journeyman plumbers, contractors. Registers with: Building Safety Office. State license required: issued by State Plumbing Board. Registration term: expires with state license.

Unlicensed or unregistered plumbing work is enforced by the plumbing inspectors and Building Official as a municipal civil infraction under Section 1422.98 and Chapter 203, drawing a civil fine plus costs, with higher fines for repeat violations.

Compared to other cities, Lansing takes a harder line on plumbing permits. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

The Bottom Line

Lansing's building safety rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Lansing is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Lansing can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.