Building permits in Detroit, MI
Permits for Detroit are issued by City of Detroit, Buildings, Safety Engineering & Environmental Dept. (BSEED). Applications go through the portal below.
Checked against the department's own page on 6 Sep 2026
Where to file
- Department
- City of Detroit, Buildings, Safety Engineering & Environmental Dept. (BSEED)
- Phone
- (313) 224-2733
- Portal
- aca-prod.accela.com/DETROIT
Accela (eLAPS) + ePlans (ProjectDox). 2 Woodward Ave, Ste 434.
What each job needs in Detroit
Typical requirements and fee ranges. Fees scale with project valuation, so treat these as a starting point and confirm the number with City of Detroit before you quote.
| Project | Permits | Typical fee | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Remodel | Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical (HVAC) | $150–1,000+ (scaled to project valuation) | 10–15 business days |
| Addition | Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical (HVAC) | $150–1,000+ (scaled to project valuation) | 10–15 business days |
| New Construction | Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical (HVAC), Site / Grading | $500–3,000+ (scaled to valuation; plan review separate) | 10–15 business days |
| Electrical | Electrical | $50–250 | 3–5 business days |
| Plumbing | Plumbing | $50–200 | 3–5 business days |
| HVAC / Mechanical | Mechanical (HVAC) | $50–250 | 3–5 business days |
| Roofing | Roofing | $100–400 | 1–5 business days |
| Deck / Fence | Building | $150–1,000+ (scaled to project valuation) | 10–15 business days |
| Demolition | Demolition | $50–400 | 5–10 business days |
| Commercial Build-Out | Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical (HVAC), Fire / Life-Safety Review | $300–2,000+ (scaled to valuation; plan review separate) | 10–15 business days |
Licensing in Michigan
A state Residential Builder license (or Maintenance & Alteration Contractor license) is required to build or alter residential structures for compensation; requires 60 hours of pre-license education.
Issued by Michigan LARA — Bureau of Construction Codes (Residential Builders' & M&A Contractors' Board) · Verify a licence
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Other Michigan jurisdictions
All Michigan jurisdictionsDepartment, portal and phone checked against the official page on 6 Sep 2026. Fee ranges and turnaround times are typical for this kind of work and are not quotes. Requirements change, so confirm with the department before you file. SQM.AI is not a law firm and this page is not legal advice.