Shiawassee County, Michigan Building Permit Guide

In Shiawassee County, the county’s Community Development Department (Surbeck Building, 201 North Shiawassee Street, Corunna; 989-743-2396) is the building department for most rural townships, but not the building department of any city. Under the 2026 lists it issues building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits in 13 townships and two villages, trade permits in several other units, and zoning permits in 10 townships. Its fee schedule took effect in July 2026: a house is $65 for the first $1,000 of value plus $4.50 per $1,000 after that, with $70 per inspection.

What requires a building permit in Shiawassee County?

Every new building, addition, remodel, repair, mobile-home set-up and trade installation needs the permits the state construction code requires, from whichever office enforces the code for that address. Where the county is that office, its forms and fee resolution list what it permits:

Starting construction before getting a required permit brings a $200 investigative fee, and the permit is not issued until it is paid.

What the county decides and what the state holds

The construction code is the state’s and cannot be amended. The Board of Commissioners decides where the county enforces it (units that do not run their own program), sets the county’s fees, and adopts the county zoning ordinance used by townships without their own zoning.

Shiawassee County building department: who handles permitting

It depends on the city, village or township. The county department’s own 2026 jurisdiction list (updated January 29, 2026) and the state’s Statewide Jurisdiction List (Bureau of Construction Codes, revised November 6, 2026) agree for most units; where they differ, both are shown below, so confirm with the unit and the county before filing.

The county’s office is Community Development, led by Director Peter Preston, in the Surbeck Building, 201 North Shiawassee Street, 3rd floor, Corunna, MI 48817 (989-743-2396, fax 989-743-2393, comdev@shiawassee.net), open weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Besides permits and zoning, the department staffs the county Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals, lists the Construction Board of Appeals among its boards, and runs the county’s Housing Rehabilitation Program through the City of Owosso, with a Housing Program Advisory Council. In the largest city, Owosso (14,437 people), the City of Owosso Building Department at 301 West Main Street (989-725-0535) issues permits, and it sends anyone outside city limits to the county. Durand (3,457), Corunna (3,000) and Perry (2,134) also run their own programs. To find which unit an address is in, use the county GIS map or call Community Development.

Shiawassee County permit types and what comes first

The Building & Trades page posts 2026 building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing permit applications, a zoning permit application, contractor registration and a soil erosion waiver form. The department asks applicants to contact the office before submitting any permit application and prefers digital prints in PDF format.

Residential permits

The county’s 2026 building application asks for three sets of construction documents and a site or plot plan, and for zoning, health department and soil erosion approvals where they apply. Plan review is required on single-family homes over 3,500 square feet of livable floor area. Accessory buildings follow the county’s setback sheets, one for parcels of 5 acres or less and one for larger parcels. Contractors must register with the department, at no charge.

Building or remodeling a home here? Alliance handles residential permit expediting, so the crew isn't waiting on the counter.

Commercial permits

All commercial, multi-family and industrial buildings, including remodels and repairs, need plan review, charged at 6.25% of the permit fee with a $200 minimum. In county-zoned townships, site plan review and special land use approval come first under the county zoning ordinance, which was last fully updated in 2006 and has since been amended, including a 2025 Renewable Energy District.

For tenant improvements and new commercial builds, Alliance handles commercial permit applications through issuance. More on this: commercial building permits explained.

What comes before the building permit

• Zoning: the county zones Antrim, Bennington, Burns, Fairfield, Middlebury, New Haven, Rush, Sciota, Shiawassee and Woodhull townships; every other unit has its own zoning. A county zoning permit is $65, and appeals, variances, interpretations, site plans, special land uses and map amendments are $130 each plus a retainer, estimated within 10 business days of the application.
• Septic and wells: the Shiawassee County Health Department’s Environmental Health Division issues sewage and well permits (989-743-2390; weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed noon to 1 p.m.). A vacant-land soil evaluation with three test holes is $245 per parcel, and repair or replacement of an existing septic system is $243.
• Soil erosion: the Health Department also runs the county’s soil erosion program; projects disturbing less than 225 square feet that will not send sediment to lakes or streams may ask for a waiver.
• Driveways: the Shiawassee County Road Commission, 701 West Corunna Avenue, Corunna (989-743-2228), issues driveway, right-of-way and land division permits on county roads; paper forms can be dropped off at its office, and card payments carry a $3.99 processing fee.
• Drains and stormwater: the Drain Commissioner takes storm water, drain work, tap-in and crossing applications under the county’s detention requirements.
• Ponds and land divisions: pond permits and land divisions or combinations have their own county applications in county-zoned townships.

Shiawassee County permit costs and fees

The Board of Commissioners set the building and trade fees by Resolution 26-06-12. The department lists it as its new fee schedule effective July 13, 2026, and keeps the executed copy at the County Clerk’s Office; the unsigned copy posted online says July 1, 2026. Building fees are based on the project’s value from the latest International Code Council building valuation data (published each February and August), with any multiplier the board approves.

Worked example: a house whose value under the ICC table comes to $250,000 pays $65 for the first $1,000 plus 249 × $4.50 = $1,120.50, a permit fee of $1,185.50, before the $70 inspections and any trade permits. The Health Department doubles the well fee if a well is installed before its permit is issued, and charges $747 for a point-of-sale well and septic inspection.

Trade permits and who may pull them

In the units where the county holds the trades (see the table), its Building & Trades staff issue and inspect electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits on the 2026 county forms. Each starts with a $65 non-refundable application fee and rough and final inspections at $70 each, plus item fees; plumbing adds a $70 shower pan inspection where one is installed. Lennon is the exception: both lists show the state Bureau of Construction Codes issuing its electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits.

• Contractors: state-licensed contractors register with the county department before permits are issued; there is no registration fee.
• Plan review: where a trade needs plan review, it is 6.25% of the established building permit fee, minimum $200.
• Inspections: extra inspections and special or safety inspections are $70 each, and a fire alarm system is priced by the number of devices.

How to apply for a county permit

Review, corrections and what causes delay

Applications that reach the wrong office are the first delay in a county with this many splits: a Laingsburg or Byron project, for example, should be confirmed with the unit and the county before filing. Missing zoning, health department or soil erosion approvals hold a building permit, and zoning cases in county-zoned townships wait for the retainer estimate and the Planning Commission or Zoning Board of Appeals meeting.

Inspections and occupancy

Book county inspections on the inspection line, 989-743-2396, with as much notice as possible, giving the job location, permit number and a contact. The inspector responds within two business days to schedule, and inspections are usually done within five business days. Work may not be covered until it has been inspected. The certificate of occupancy normally follows the final inspection under the permit; a separate $70 applies only when it needs its own inspection and paperwork.

Each inspection is priced as a 30-minute visit at $70, with $65 for each extra half hour on large jobs; for buildings with many similar units the Building Official may count fewer inspections. A permit becomes invalid if work does not start within 180 days of issue or stops for 180 days, and it is closed if no inspection is requested and done within 180 days; a fee applies to reopen an expired permit. Disputes over code interpretations go to the county’s Construction Board of Appeals ($500 application).

Michigan building code in Shiawassee County

The county enforces the state code where local units have not taken it on. No Michigan county is a National Flood Insurance Program community; each township, city and village joins on its own. FEMA’s Community Status Book lists the City of Owosso and Owosso Charter Township as participating, with maps effective September 29, 2011; ask your own unit about floodplain rules elsewhere.

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

Shiawassee County permit search and official resources

For county permit and inspection records, contact Community Development (comdev@shiawassee.net or 989-743-2396); copies of files can be requested under Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act. Permits issued by Owosso, Durand, Corunna, Perry or another local program are held by that unit.

• Shiawassee County Community Development
• Building & Trades: forms and fee schedule
• County 2026 jurisdiction list
• Resolution 26-06-12: building and trade fees
• 2026 building permit application
• 2026 electrical permit application
• Planning & Zoning: ordinance and applications
• Resolution 26-06-11: zoning application and retainer fees
• Boards and commissions
• County GIS
• Health Department sewage program
• Health Department soil erosion program
• Health Department 2026 fee schedule
• Road Commission permits and fees
• Drain Commissioner permit guidelines
• City of Owosso Building Department
• State Statewide Jurisdiction List (Bureau of Construction Codes)

Shiawassee County building permit FAQs

Does the county issue permits in Owosso?

No. The City of Owosso Building Department issues permits inside the city; the county covers most of the surrounding townships, but Owosso Charter Township runs its own program.

How much is a county building permit for a house?

$65 for the first $1,000 of value plus $4.50 per additional $1,000, with $70 per inspection; plan review applies over 3,500 square feet.

How is the value set?

From the International Code Council’s building valuation data, with any board multiplier; the Building Official may accept a documented declaration of value for unusual projects.

Do farm buildings need a permit?

Not a building permit if they support commercial farming on the same land, but a zoning permit is still required.

Who handles septic, wells and soil erosion?

The Shiawassee County Health Department’s Environmental Health Division (989-743-2390).

Which townships use county zoning?

Antrim, Bennington, Burns, Fairfield, Middlebury, New Haven, Rush, Sciota, Shiawassee and Woodhull.

How soon will an inspection happen?

The inspector responds within two business days and usually inspects within five.

Do contractors pay to register?

No. Registration with the county is required, but free.

Simplify Shiawassee County permitting with Alliance Permitting

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