The State’s jurisdiction list shows NO COUNTY PROGRAM for Genesee County. Each city, village and township is marked LOCAL or STATE for each code, and in many of them the local unit handles building only while the State handles the trades. By the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimates the largest are Flint (79306), Grand Blanc Charter Township (40022), Flint Charter Township (30844) and Burton (29313).
This guide covers the four largest communities, which units send trades to the State, and the county septic, well and soil erosion permits.
What requires a building permit in Genesee County?
The Michigan construction code applies statewide; what differs inside Genesee County is which office enforces it for the parcel and what it adds locally.
Michigan enforces one statewide construction code under the Stille-DeRossett-Hale Single State Construction Code Act (1972 PA 230); local units cannot amend it, and enforcement sits with the city, village or township, a county program or the state Bureau of Construction Codes, sometimes split by trade. Michigan rules
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The State list names the cities of Burton, Clio, Davison, Fenton, Flint, Flushing, Grand Blanc, Linden, Montrose, Mt. Morris and Swartz Creek; the villages of Gaines, Goodrich, Lennon, Otisville and Otter Lake; and the townships of Argentine, Atlas, Clayton, Davison, Fenton, Flint, Flushing, Forest, Gaines, Genesee, Grand Blanc, Montrose, Mt. Morris, Mundy, Richfield, Thetford and Vienna.
Trades by the State: building is LOCAL but electrical, mechanical and plumbing are STATE in the cities of Burton, Davison, Flushing, Linden and Montrose, the villages of Goodrich and Lennon, and the townships of Argentine, Atlas, Davison, Genesee, Montrose, Mt. Morris and Richfield. The Village of Otter Lake is STATE for all four codes.
Where the State list marks a trade STATE, those permits and inspections come from the Bureau of Construction Codes (LARA/BCC), 2407 N. Grand River Avenue, Lansing, open Monday thru Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm.
| Community | Building office | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Flint | Building & Safety Office, 1101 S. Saginaw St., Room S106 | 810-766-7284; Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-3 p.m. |
| Grand Blanc Twp | Building Department, 5371 S Saginaw Road | 810-424-2600 Ext. 2904 |
| Flint Twp | Building Department, 1490 S. Dye Road | 810-732-1350; M-Th 8:00AM - 5:30 PM |
| Burton | Local for building; State for electrical, mechanical and plumbing | Trades through the Bureau of Construction Codes |
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Flint
The Inspection Division covers all trades, and the 2026 building, mechanical, electrical and plumbing permit forms are posted on the Building & Safety Inspections page.
Grand Blanc Charter Township
Permits are applied for through BS&A Online, and contractors must have a current township registration. All commercial permits start with a PZE (Planning, Zoning, Engineering) process first.
Flint Charter Township
A full-service department covering all building trades permits and inspections.
Septic and wells
The Genesee County Health Department, Environmental Health, 324 S Saginaw St, Suite 6, Flint ((810) 257-3603), issues septic and well permits, with in-person payments Monday through Friday, 8 am to 3:30 pm. A septic replacement permit is $400.00 (tank only $100.00) and a private residential well permit $200.00; systems must be installed by a bonded, Health Department licensed contractor or by the owner under supervision.
Soil erosion
The Genesee County Drain Commissioner, G-4610 Beecher Road, Flint (810-732-7870), is the county agency; Burton’s Department of Public Works, 4093 Manor Drive (810-742-9230 Ext. 238), handles the City of Burton.
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Call 1-855-478-4290 →Genesee County permit costs and fees
Building fees are set by each community, and State fees apply where the State issues the trade permits.
Fees are set by the enforcing agency — the local unit, a county program or the state — and may only fund that agency's work. Michigan rules
How to get a building permit in Genesee County
See which codes are LOCAL and which are STATE for the community.
Start with the PZE process before the commercial permit.
Health Department for septic and wells; Drain Commissioner or Burton DPW for soil erosion.
Flint by form, Grand Blanc Township through BS&A.
Locally or with the Bureau of Construction Codes.
A Michigan permit lapses if work does not start within 180 days or stops for 180 days; confirm the expiry with the local building office on phased or delayed work. Michigan rules
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Flint inspections are scheduled by calling 810-766-7284. Grand Blanc Township takes requests online or on the voicemail line 810-424-2690 for next-day inspections (same day if called before 7:00 am), with inspections Monday thru Thursday; sewer and water inspections go through Public Works at ext. 2903. Flint Township inspections are scheduled at 810-732-1350.
Official Genesee County permitting resources
These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.
- Michigan Statewide Jurisdiction List
- Flint Building & Safety Inspections
- Grand Blanc Township inspections
- Flint Township Building Department
- Genesee County septic and well
- EGLE soil erosion (Part 91) agencies
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Frequently asked questions
Does Genesee County issue building permits?
No. The State lists Genesee as NO COUNTY PROGRAM; each community runs building locally.
Who issues electrical permits in Burton?
The State Bureau of Construction Codes: Burton is LOCAL for building but STATE for electrical, mechanical and plumbing.
Can I get a same-day inspection in Grand Blanc Township?
Yes, if you call the voicemail line 810-424-2690 before 7:00 am; otherwise inspections are next day, Monday thru Thursday.
Simplify Genesee County permitting with Alliance Permitting
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →- Confirm from the State Jurisdiction List which local or county program has the parcel
- Line up road commission, soil erosion and health department permits before the building permit
- File in the right BS&A or portal account and schedule inspections against each office’s cut-off
Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in Michigan. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.
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More Michigan permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Genesee County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.