The State’s Statewide Jurisdiction List (Rev. 10/6/2026) lists Washtenaw County as COUNTY for building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing. The County building department enforces the code in the City of Dexter and the townships of Augusta, Lodi, Saline, Scio, Sharon (since 06/20/2019) and Webster. By the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimates the county has 370214 residents, and Scio Township (18597) is the largest unit the County serves.
The County’s own plan review, inspection, soil erosion and drain permit pages load their text by script and could not be read, so the Building Department’s address, phone, hours, fees and inspection steps are not given here; contact the County directly.
What requires a building permit in Washtenaw County?
The Michigan construction code applies statewide; what differs inside Washtenaw County is which office enforces it for the parcel and what it adds locally.
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →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 Washtenaw County?
| Program | Units |
|---|---|
| COUNTY (Washtenaw County building department) | City of Dexter; Augusta, Lodi, Saline, Scio, Sharon and Webster townships |
| LOCAL (own program, all four trades) | Cities of Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Manchester, Saline and Ypsilanti; Village of Barton Hills; Ann Arbor, Bridgewater, Dexter, Freedom, Lima, Lyndon, Manchester, Northfield, Pittsfield, Salem, Superior, Sylvan, York and Ypsilanti townships |
No Washtenaw unit is STATE. The largest units all run their own programs: Ann Arbor city (122233), Ypsilanti charter township (53721), Pittsfield charter township (40265) and Ypsilanti city (19766). Note that the City of Saline is LOCAL while Saline Township is COUNTY, and Dexter Township is LOCAL while the City of Dexter is COUNTY.
County offices and permits before you build
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →County building department
The Washtenaw County Building Department inspects commercial and residential structures for compliance with the State Building Code, and plans must be approved before permits are issued. The County’s Construction Code Board of Appeals meets as needed on the third Wednesday of the month at 7 pm at the Western Washtenaw County Service Center.
County drains
Crossing, modifying or discharging to a county drain, or any work in a county drain easement, needs a permit from the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner.
Soil erosion
The County Enforcing Agency is Washtenaw CBS, 705 North Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, 734-222-6860. Ann Arbor (Planning), Ypsilanti Township, Pittsfield Township and several other townships are their own Municipal Enforcing Agencies.
Road right-of-way
Driveways and other work in county road right-of-way need a Washtenaw County Road Commission permit: 555 N. Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor; permits (734) 327-6642; office and permit hours 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday - Friday.
Washtenaw County permit costs and fees
Road Commission permit fees: residential uncurbed driveway approach $150, curbed approach $75, commercial driveway approach $350, temporary construction approach $150. Commercial and private driveway approaches also carry an inspection fee of 3% of the approved construction estimate ($500 minimum).
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →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 Washtenaw County
COUNTY for Dexter city and six townships; every other unit runs its own.
For a driveway or any work in county road right-of-way.
Water Resources Commissioner for county drains; Washtenaw CBS or the local agency for soil erosion.
In County-served units, plans must be approved before the permit is issued.
Rather not deal with the Washtenaw County building department?
Get a free quote →A Michigan permit lapses if work does not start within 180 days or stops for 180 days; confirm the expiry with the County Building Department or the local building office on phased or delayed work. Michigan rules
Official Washtenaw 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
- Washtenaw County building and construction
- Washtenaw County Road Commission
- Road Commission permit fees
- EGLE soil erosion (Part 91) agencies
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Frequently asked questions
Does Washtenaw County issue building permits?
Yes, for the City of Dexter and the townships of Augusta, Lodi, Saline, Scio, Sharon and Webster; every other unit runs its own program.
Who issues building permits in Ann Arbor or Ypsilanti?
Their own local programs; the State list marks them LOCAL for all four trades.
What does a residential driveway permit cost?
$150 for an uncurbed approach or $75 for a curbed one from the Road Commission.
Simplify Washtenaw County permitting with Alliance Permitting
- Confirm from the State Jurisdiction List whether the County or the local unit has the parcel
- Line up Road Commission, drain and soil erosion permits before the building permit
- Get plans approved and track the County or local review through issuance
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →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.
Ready to break ground in Washtenaw County sooner?
Let Alliance prepare, file, and track your Washtenaw County permits while your crew stays on the job.
More Michigan permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Washtenaw County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.