Kalamazoo County, Michigan Building Permit Guide

The State’s jurisdiction list shows NO COUNTY PROGRAM for Kalamazoo County. By the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimates the largest communities are Kalamazoo (72683), Portage (49862), Oshtemo Charter Township (23971) and Kalamazoo Charter Township (22523). Several, including Kalamazoo Township, use the Kalamazoo Area Building Authority (KABA) for permits and inspections.

This guide covers the four largest communities, KABA and the county septic and soil erosion permits.

What requires a building permit in Kalamazoo County?

The Michigan construction code applies statewide; what differs inside Kalamazoo County is which office enforces it for the parcel and what it adds locally.

In Kalamazoo Charter Township, for example, a shed under 200 square feet needs no permit, and fences need none but may not exceed six (6) feet.

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

Who handles permitting in Kalamazoo County?

The State list names the cities of Galesburg, Kalamazoo, Parchment and Portage; the villages of Augusta, Climax, Richland, Schoolcraft and Vicksburg; and the townships of Alamo, Brady, Charleston, Climax, Comstock, Cooper, Kalamazoo, Oshtemo, Pavilion, Prairie Ronde, Richland, Ross, Schoolcraft, Texas and Wakeshma. The Village of Augusta is LOCAL for building but STATE for the trades, and Alamo and Pavilion townships are STATE for plumbing only.

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.

KABA (2322 Nazareth Road, Kalamazoo, (269) 216-9511, Mon-Fri 8am to 5pm) serves Comstock, Kalamazoo, Parchment, Pine Grove and Richland and takes permit applications and inspection requests online.

Kalamazoo County offices and local rules

City of Kalamazoo

The city issues building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits and inspects the work. Its permit types include a non-structural maintenance permit for roofing, siding or windows, a permit to wreck before removing any structure larger than 20 x 10 feet, and a city soil erosion permit for earth changes over an acre, on a street or near waters of the state.

Portage

The Building Division reviews plans, issues permits and inspects; apply and manage permits through BS&A Online.

Oshtemo Charter Township

Reviews are expected within seven to ten business days.

Kalamazoo Charter Township

Permits start with KABA and are then routed to the township for its reviews. A shed or detached accessory building of 200 square feet or more needs a permit.

Septic

The county Environmental Health Division, 311 E. Alcott St., Kalamazoo (269-373-5210), oversees onsite sewage systems, which must be installed by a currently registered company or the property owner.

Soil erosion

Soil erosion rules are enforced by the Kalamazoo County Drain Commission, the City of Portage (269-329-4477) and the City of Kalamazoo (269-337-8026). County permits must be approved before earth changes begin; pay by card at (269)384-8117 or by check at 201 W. Kalamazoo Ave.

Kalamazoo County permit costs and fees

Building fees are set by each community. Oshtemo’s schedule (effective 2025-01-01) has a $50 non-refundable application fee and a base fee of $75 for $1 to $2,000 of valuation, $75 plus $8 per $1,000 over $2,000 up to $10,000, and $165 plus $3 per $1,000 over $10,000 up to $100,000. The City of Kalamazoo sets its fees in the Community Planning & Economic Development Fee Schedule.

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 Kalamazoo County

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

Inspections in Kalamazoo County

KABA takes inspection requests online for the communities it serves. The City of Kalamazoo, Portage and Oshtemo inspect the work they permit; Oshtemo’s Building Official holds walk-in hours Monday through Friday from 8 to 10 a.m.

Official Kalamazoo 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
• City of Kalamazoo building permits
• Portage permits
• Oshtemo Building Department
• Kalamazoo Area Building Authority
• Kalamazoo County sewage treatment
• Kalamazoo County soil erosion

Frequently asked questions

Does Kalamazoo County issue building permits?

No. The State lists Kalamazoo as NO COUNTY PROGRAM; each community runs its own or uses KABA.

Who issues permits in Kalamazoo Township?

The Kalamazoo Area Building Authority (KABA); permits are then routed to the township for its reviews.

What does an Oshtemo building permit cost?

A $50 application fee plus a base fee from $75, rising by valuation.

Simplify Kalamazoo County permitting with Alliance Permitting

• 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.

This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Kalamazoo County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.