Ottawa County, Michigan Building Permit Guide

The State’s jurisdiction list shows NO COUNTY PROGRAM for Ottawa County, and every city, village and township there runs its own building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing program. By the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimates the largest are Georgetown Charter Township (55682), Holland Charter Township (40862), Allendale Charter Township (27519) and the Ottawa County part of the City of Holland (27343).

This guide covers the four largest communities’ building offices and the county soil erosion, health and road permits.

What requires a building permit in Ottawa County?

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

Holland Charter Township, for example, lists work that may not need a permit, such as fences that meet zoning and are six feet or less, new siding, same-size window replacement and shingle-only re-roofing.

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 Ottawa County?

The State list names the cities of Coopersville, Ferrysburg, Grand Haven, Holland, Hudsonville and Zeeland; the Village of Spring Lake; and the townships of Allendale, Blendon, Chester, Crockery, Georgetown, Grand Haven, Holland, Jamestown, Olive, Park, Polkton, Port Sheldon, Robinson, Spring Lake, Tallmadge, Wright and Zeeland.

Ottawa County offices and local rules

Georgetown Charter Township

Building permits go through the township, but electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits go directly to Professional Code Inspections, 1913 Baldwin St, Jenison; the township does not accept them. Its 2025 charges include a $75.00 demolition permit and a Construction Code Board of Appeals request at $500.00 residential or $600.00 commercial, and the application fee doubles when work started without a permit.

Allendale Charter Township

Professional Code Inspections issues all permits and does all building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing inspections. The township itself requires a zoning compliance permit for fences, sheds, agricultural buildings and home businesses (office: 6676 Lake Michigan Drive).

City of Holland

Community and Neighborhood Services handles all construction permits and inspections, including plumbing, electrical and mechanical. New contractors fill out a Contractor Registration Form to get a PIN for the city’s Access My Gov account.

Soil erosion

The Ottawa County Water Resources Commissioner, 12220 Fillmore Street, Room 141, West Olive (616-994-4530), issues permits for all earth changes within 500 feet of a lake, stream or drain or of one or more acres. A new single-family home or duplex is $100.00 for up to 1 acre plus $10.00 per additional acre, minor projects such as septic systems $50.00, with three (3) sets of plans.

Well and septic

The Ottawa County Department of Public Health evaluates the site against the county Environmental Health Code before issuing a septic permit: $743.00 for a new private sewage permit and $555.00 for a new or replacement private single-family well. Holland office: 12251 James St, (616) 393-5645.

County roads

Any work in a county road right-of-way, including utilities, needs an Ottawa County Road Commission permit, 14110 Lakeshore Drive, Grand Haven, (616) 842-5400.

Ottawa County permit costs and fees

Building fees are set by each community. Holland Charter Township’s schedule (effective February 1, 2018) is a $50 base fee for the first $1,000 of estimated cost plus $4.50 for each additional $1,000; a Construction Board of Appeals application is $600.

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 Ottawa 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 Ottawa County

Holland Charter Township schedules inspections by phone at (616) 395-0196. The City of Holland needs at least 24 hours’ notice at 616-355-1330, with building, plumbing and mechanical inspections between 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Allendale inspections are done by PCI.

Official Ottawa 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
• Georgetown Township Building/Zoning
• Holland Charter Township Building
• Allendale Township planning and zoning
• City of Holland Building
• Ottawa County soil erosion
• Ottawa County well and septic

Frequently asked questions

Does Ottawa County issue building permits?

No. The State lists Ottawa as NO COUNTY PROGRAM; each city, village and township runs its own.

Who issues permits in Allendale Township?

Professional Code Inspections (PCI) issues all permits and does all inspections.

What does a septic permit cost in Ottawa County?

$743.00 for a new private sewage permit from the Ottawa County Department of Public Health.

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