Livingston County, Michigan Building Permit Guide

The Livingston County Building Department, 2300 E Grand River Ave, Howell, issues building and trade permits for most of the county, and also permits and inspects for the City of Williamston. It does not handle the City of Howell or Green Oak Township. The State’s jurisdiction list also shows the City of Brighton and Brighton Township as running their own programs, while the county’s zoning page lists Brighton Township as county-served, so confirm with both before filing there.

This guide covers the county Building Department and the road, township, soil erosion and health approvals it requires.

What requires a building permit in Livingston County?

The Michigan construction code applies statewide; what differs inside Livingston 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

Who handles permitting in Livingston County?

The State’s list marks the villages of Fowlerville and Pinckney and the remaining townships as COUNTY. Electrical, plumbing and mechanical applications need the license holder’s original signature and current registration with the county Building Department.

What comes before the county permit

For a house the county lists these steps in order: a driveway permit from the Livingston County Road Commission, then land use approval from the township, then an address from the County GIS Office.

Township requirements

Hamburg Township requires township zoning compliance, stamped plans and a site plan; Genoa and Hartland townships require township-stamped plans and a site plan; in the Village of Pinckney, Putnam Township zoning compliance and stamped plans are required.

Plans

Residential applications need two sets of plans at least 24 x 36 inches drawn to scale. Signed and sealed drawings are required for residential work greater than 3500 sq. ft. and for log homes.

Soil erosion

Every application needs a soil erosion permit or waiver from the Livingston County Drain Commissioner, Suite 105, (517) 546-0040. All residential plans are reviewed for erosion controls, and 36-inch silt fence is required on all sites unless the inspector waives it.

Well and septic

Septic and well permits or waivers come from the Livingston County Health Department’s Environmental Health Division, Suite 102, (517) 546-9858. Contractors book well and septic inspections online in morning (9:30am-12pm) or afternoon (1pm-3:30pm) windows.

Driveways

The Road Commission requires a permit for any work in the right-of-way: a Residential Driveway Approach Application is $75.00 and a Commercial Approach Permit $200.00.

Livingston County permit costs and fees

County plan review fees, due at application and non-refundable unless withdrawn before review: new residential $150.00 each unit; addition $150.00; remodel and finished basement $100.00; deck $150.00; pools $125.00; residential re-roofing $100.00; other projects $75.00.

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 Livingston County

A Michigan permit lapses if work does not start within 180 days or stops for 180 days; confirm the expiry with Livingston County on phased or delayed work. Michigan rules

Inspections in Livingston County

Request inspections online or on the automated Inspection Request Line, (517) 546-3830. The cut-off is 12:00 midnight; later requests count as received the following workday, and cancellations must be made by 5:00 a.m. Inspections for work that is not ready may be charged re-inspection fees.

Official Livingston County permitting resources

These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.

• Livingston County Building Department
• Residential building permits
• Township zoning compliance
• Drain Commissioner soil erosion
• Environmental Health
• Road Commission permit office
• Michigan Statewide Jurisdiction List

Frequently asked questions

Does Livingston County issue building permits?

Yes, for most of the county, but not for the City of Howell or Green Oak Township.

What is the inspection request cut-off?

12:00 midnight; requests after that count as received the following workday.

What comes before the county building permit for a house?

A Road Commission driveway permit, township land use approval and a County GIS address, plus soil erosion and well and septic permits or waivers.

Simplify Livingston 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 Livingston County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.