Building FAQs

Driveway access is regulated for fire apparatus and other emergency vehicles to access a street or property in the event of an emergency.

Fire Access Packet

A building permit gives you legal permission to start construction of a building project in accordance with approved drawings and specifications. Building permits are very beneficial to you and Norton Shores. By working with the code official, you will benefit from their knowledge of the building codes to ensure your construction project is built right, will be safe and will last. Safe construction practices help protect you, your family, your friends and your investment. Be sure to get your code official involved with your project, because the building department is on your side.

Current Building Codes in Effect:

2021 Michigan Mechanical Code

2021 Michigan Plumbing Code

2023 Michigan Electrical Code

2015 Michigan Residential Building Code

2015 Michigan Building Code

2015 International Existing Building Code

2015 International Fire Code

• Increased Value -- Your home or business is an investment. If your construction project does not comply with the codes adopted by your community, the value of your investment could be reduced. Property insurers may not cover work done without permits and inspections. If you decide to sell a home or building that has had modifications without a permit, you may be required to tear down the addition, leave it unoccupied or do costly repairs.
• Protects -- A property owner who can show that code requirements were strictly and consistently met, as demonstrated by a code official's carefully maintained records, has a strong ally if something happens to trigger a potentially destructive lawsuit.
• Ensures Safety -- Your permit also allows the code official to protect the public by reducing the potential hazards of unsafe construction and ensuring public health, safety and welfare. By following code guidelines, your completed project will meet minimum standards of safety and will be less likely to cause injury to you, your family, your friends or future owners.

The best way to find out if you need a permit is to call the building department at (231)799-6801. The staff is there to serve the public by providing information about safety and understanding of your local building codes. Be sure to discuss your plans with the code official before you begin construction to determine whether you need a permit. If a permit is not needed, the code official will answer your construction questions and provide valuable advice. Permits are usually required for the following:

• New buildings
• Additions (bedrooms, bathrooms, family rooms, etc.)
• Residential work (decks, garages, fences, fireplaces, pools, water heaters, etc.)
• Renovations (garage conversions, basement furnishings, kitchen expansions, re-roofing, etc.)
• Electrical systems
• Plumbing systems
• HVAC (heating, ventilating and air-conditioning) systems

A permit is required to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, covert, or replace any electrical, gas mechanical, or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by this code, or to cause any such work to be done.

Examples include:  Adding a room, building a stairway, move, remove or add walls, install a fence, finish (attic, garage or basement) to make additional space, new window or door, build, demolish or move a carport, garage or shed that is more than 200 square feet in area, apply roofing materials, build a retaining wall more than four feet high (measured from the bottom of the footing on the top of the wall) or build a porch or deck.

1. Talk to the Code Official
   Your code official wants your project to be a success and will try to help you avoid potential problems that could cost you time and money. You will be asked some basic questions (What are you planning to do? Where?), advised of any requirements and, if necessary, referred to other departments for their approval. The code official will provide you with the resources and information needed for compliance with the applicable building codes. You will then receive an application for a building permit.
2. Submit Application
   At this stage you will document the "Who, What, When, Where and How" of the job, along with any sketches or plans of the proposed work. Normally, separate permits are required for electrical, plumbing, and heating or air-conditioning work. The code official will review your plans and determine if your project is in compliance with local requirements. If your plans meet these requirements, a permit is issued. If not, the code official may suggest solutions to help correct the problem.
3. Receive Permit
   Now that you have been approved for a permit, you have legal permission to start construction. A fee, based on the size of the job, is collected to cover the cost of the application, the review and the inspection process. An experienced code official is available to you should you have any questions concerning your project. You should consider your code official as an ally who will help you make your project a success.
4. Job-site Visits
   On-site inspections will be required to make certain the work conforms to the permit, local codes and plans. Again, you will have access to the expertise of the code official to help you with questions or concerns regarding the project and to ward off potentially costly mistakes. The code official will let you know approximately how many inspections may be needed for your project. Usually, a one-day notice is needed when requesting visits.
5. Receive Final Approval
   The code official will provide documentation when construction is complete and code compliance is determined. You will then have the personal satisfaction of a job done right. Enjoy your new surroundings with the peace of mind and the knowledge that they meet the safety standards in your community.

A permit is necessary to ensure the welfare and safety of the public, as mandated by the Building Code.  The property owner is responsible for securing building permits prior to the commencement of any work.  Working without a permit is illegal and can result in citations and fines.  The owner is ultimately responsible for any and all work performed at their property.

Your home or business is an investment. If your construction project does not comply with codes adopted by our community, the value of your investment could be reduced. Property insurers may not cover work done without permits and inspections. If you decide to sell a home or building that has modifications without a permit, you may be required to tear down the addition, leave it unoccupied or do costly repairs.

A property owner who can show that code requirements were strictly and consistently met-as demonstrated by a code official's carefully maintained records-has a strong ally if something happens to trigger a potentially destructive lawsuit.

By following code guidelines, your completed project will meet minimum standards of safety and will be less likely to cause injury to you, your family, your friends and future owners.

• Project Information   Please know that our department strives to complete your plan reviews in a timely manner, however, our timelines may vary depending on the complexity of the project.  Plan review timelines may be extended if additional information is needed, if other outside agencies are involved, and upon receipt of ALL required documentation
• Commercial Projects - A commercial plan review typically takes a minimum of 3-4 weeks
• Residential Projects - A residential plan review takes a MINIMUM of 2 weeks

Contact Building Division Administrative Assistant

(231) 799-6801

For more information, please visit the State of Michigan Website.

To determine which regulatory agencies are required for your desired permit, please contact the Norton Shores Building Department at 231-799-6801.

You are working in the vicinity of an airport, you may require a Form 7460-1 with an accompanying map.

Note: if a “Crane or Pump truck” is extending above the tree line you need to obtain permission 30 days in advance.

YES! A zoning permit application is required for fences.  A building permit application is required for fences that are used as a safety/pool barrier.

You will need to submit a Zoning Permit Application as well as a site plan.

Please contact the Zoning Division at 231-799-6800 for fencing related questions.

Call the Building Division at 231-799-6801 and we will check the registration.

visit Licensing & Regulatory Affairs Website.

Consumer caution may be the best way to avoid problem situations or disputes.  As a consumer, you should do the following:

1. Call the Licensing Division at (517) 241-9316 or visit the LARA website to verify that the individual or business entity is licensed
2. Ask the licensee to show you his/her "pocket card" which will contain the license number
3. Call the Compliance Division at (517) 241-9309 or visit the State Of Michigan Website to determine if there have been disciplinary actions against the individual or business entity
4. Ask for and verify references
5. Check the Better Business Bureau

How may I avoid misunderstandings that might arise from my contract with a builder? Ensure that the written contract is clear, legible and complete.  Ensure that the written contract provides information relating to the license of the individual, business entity or qualifying officer of the business entity.  Ensure that the contract is definite in terms and sufficient to express the intent of the parties, the type/amount of work to be done, type/quality of material to be used, finances and any charge incidental to the agreement.  Ensure that all changes to the contact are made in writing and dated/initialed by all parties.  Ensure that you received a copy of the signed contract and any change orders.

(building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, property maintenance)

Contact Building Division Administrative Assistant

(231) 799-6801