Royal Oak Township, MI Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)

Section 32-210 of the Charter Township of Royal Oak code says when a permit is needed. A building permit or other appropriate permit is required before the erection, alteration, renovation, repair, demolition or removal of any building or structure, before the installation, extension, or replacement of plumbing, electrical, drainage, or similar utility systems, before the establishment of a new land use on vacant or developed land, and before any change in use of an existing building or structure to a different class or type.

Applications go to the building official on forms that official prescribes, with a written explanation of the proposed improvements and, if applicable, a site plan drawn to scale. When no site plan is required, the minimum submission includes the parcel's location, dimensions and Sidwell number, the existing and proposed buildings, the existing and intended use, and, on residential parcels, the number of dwelling units in each building and the number of bedrooms per unit. The names and addresses of everyone with an ownership interest must be supplied, together with a written statement from each of them agreeing to the proposal.

The building official designated under § 6-19 is the Township's enforcing agency for the state construction code throughout the Township. Permit fees follow § 6-20, which leaves them to resolution of the Township Board, and § 32-231 requires fees to be collected in advance; on deficient payment the building official suspends permits and rejects new applications tied to the project. A permit issued on an approved site plan carries full compliance with that plan as a condition. Expiration follows the state construction code, and the permit holder must give notice for a final inspection, with no occupancy allowed before the final inspection is approved.

A denied applicant can go to the Construction Board of Appeals under § 6-21. An appeal must be filed within 30 days of the decision, and the Board must decide within 30 days of a written request unless the applicant agrees to a later date. A further challenge goes to Circuit Court within 21 days after the Board's decision is filed with the building official.