Kalamazoo, MI Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing adoption
- Michigan Building Code adopted by § 9-22
- Extra permits listed
- Towers, antennas, interior demolition, § 9-6B
- First offense fine
- Up to $200 civil infraction
- Repeat offense fine
- $200 to $500 within 12 months
- Permit fees set by
- City Commission resolution
Summary
Kalamazoo adopts the Michigan Building Code and Michigan Residential Code by reference under City Code § 9-22, which is what requires permits for erecting, altering, repairing, moving or demolishing structures citywide. Section 9-6 separately lists extra work, like freestanding towers and antennas, needing a Buildings Division permit outside those adopted codes.
§ 9-22. Adoption and purpose of Michigan Building Code and Michigan Residential Code. Pursuant to the Stille-DeRossett-Hale Single State Construction Code Act, MCLA § 125.1501 et seq., as amended, the Michigan Building Code and the Michigan Residential Code, being the most recent editions as adopted by the State of Michigan ... are hereby adopted by reference as if fully set forth herein for the purpose of regulating the erection, construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, removal, conversion, demolition, occupancy, equipment use, height, area and maintenance of building and residential structures in the City, providing for the issuance of permits and collection of fees therefor and providing penalties for the violations thereof except as otherwise provided in the City Code. ... The following structures and/or work not specifically addressed in other articles of this chapter require building permits. ... Freestanding television reception towers; satellite antenna; radio broadcast and reception towers, freestanding and roof-mounted. (2) Interior demolition work when not done as part of the work of a building permit.
Full Breakdown
Section 9-22 adopts the state codes "for the purpose of regulating the erection, construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, removal, conversion, demolition, occupancy, equipment use, height, area and maintenance" of buildings and residential structures, and that adoption is the source of the citywide permit requirement, with the state codes controlling over a conflicting City provision. Section 9-6 layers on additional permit triggers the Buildings Division administers directly: freestanding television reception towers, satellite antennas, and freestanding or roof-mounted radio broadcast and reception towers, plus interior demolition work not already covered by a building permit.
Fees for these and all Chapter 9 permits are set by City Commission resolution. The Buildings Division also issues related environmental, sign and soil-erosion permits for zoning-adjacent work such as parking-lot grading or paving, floodway construction, and grading an acre or more, while towers over 50 feet or construction near the county airport can additionally require Federal Aviation Administration approval and floodway work can require a state Department of Natural Resources permit.
Violations & Fines
A Chapter 9 permit violation is a municipal civil infraction under § 9-5, carrying a civil fine of not more than $200 for a first offense, rising to a minimum of $200 and a maximum of $500 for a second or subsequent violation adjudicated within the prior twelve months. The Building Official enforces the chapter and may charge a violator under any section that sets no separate penalty of its own.
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggers the need for a building permit in Kalamazoo?
Do freestanding antennas or towers need a separate city permit?
What's the fine for building without a permit in Kalamazoo?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kalamazoo
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