Wayne County, MI Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Plans required
- Submitted before construction/demolition begins
- Reviewing agency
- County Buildings Division, Dept. of Public Services
- Codes adopted
- BOCA Building & Fire, NEC, IMC, IPC (1996)
- Local override
- Cities/townships may run their own permits
- Penalty
- $500 fine, 90-day term (BOCA §116.4)
Summary
Wayne County requires anyone to submit plans and specs to the Buildings Division before starting construction, demolition, remodeling or alteration, though most cities and townships in the county administer their own adopted building codes instead.
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or agency to commence construction, demolition, remodeling or alteration of any building, facility or structure without first submitting plans and specifications to the buildings division for review and approval under the codes adopted herein.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 31).
Full Breakdown
Wayne County's Chapter 233 adopts BOCA building and fire codes plus the National Electrical, International Mechanical and International Plumbing codes as county construction standards. Under § 233-7(b), it is unlawful to commence construction, demolition, remodeling or alteration of any building, facility or structure without first submitting plans and specifications to the county Buildings Division for review and approval. The Buildings Division administers this within the county's political jurisdiction, but § 233-7(d) preserves local governments' authority to run their own state-authorized codes, so Detroit, Dearborn, Livonia and the county's other 40-plus municipalities issue their own permits, and most residents apply to their city or township, not the county.
Violations & Fines
Commencing work without submitted, approved plans violates Chapter 233; the adopted BOCA Building Code's general penalty clause, as amended by § 233-1(b)(2), sets a $500 fine and 90-day term for the offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Wayne County issue building permits for Detroit or Dearborn?
What codes does Wayne County enforce under Chapter 233?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Wayne County
Compare Wayne County to another location·View the Michigan building safety overview
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