A built-in outdoor kitchen in Ann Arbor requires separate trade permits from the Building Department for any gas line, electrical, or plumbing work, plus a building permit if it includes structural elements (walls, foundation, roofed pergola, or accessory structure over 200 sq ft). Freestanding portable grills require no permit.
Ann Arbor follows Michigan's Single State Construction Code under PA 230 of 1972 (MCL 125.1501), which adopts the Michigan Residential Code, Michigan Mechanical Code, Michigan Plumbing Code, and Michigan Electrical Code (NEC with state amendments). The Ann Arbor Building Department administers all four. A natural-gas line extension to a built-in grill requires a mechanical permit, a licensed mechanical contractor, pressure-test, and final inspection. A new outdoor sink, ice-maker line, or hose bib requires a plumbing permit under MCL 338.901. New GFCI-protected outdoor outlets, lighting, or refrigerator circuits require an electrical permit and must be rated for damp/wet locations per NEC Article 210.8. If the kitchen includes a structural element — concrete foundation, masonry walls, roofed pergola or pavilion, or any accessory structure exceeding 200 sq ft — a building permit is also required. Accessory structures must observe UDC setback rules (typically 3 ft from rear/side property lines for unroofed structures, more for roofed). Local Historic District properties require Historic District Commission review under Chapter 103 for any visible installation. DTE Energy must coordinate any work near the gas meter.
Unpermitted gas, electrical, or plumbing work: Building Department stop-work order, double permit fees on after-the-fact applications, required exposure of concealed work for inspection. Unpermitted gas lines may result in DTE Energy meter disconnection. Historic district installations without a Certificate of Appropriateness can be ordered removed.
Ann Arbor, MI
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Ann Arbor, MI
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