Find the Right Washtenaw Building Office Before You Apply
The county is not the building department for every Washtenaw address. Your first step is to identify the city or township, confirm who handles zoning, and then verify whether Washtenaw County Building Inspection handles the construction permit.
Once jurisdiction is confirmed, use this guide to apply online, prepare plans, search records, arrange inspections, resolve corrections and prove the permit is closed.
What Do You Need to Do?
Washtenaw Next-Step Finder
Choose the situation that best matches your project.
Washtenaw County Building Inspection Contact Information
Confirm City, Township and County Responsibilities
1. Identify the municipality
Use the property tax record, parcel information or official municipal map. A postal address alone may not identify the correct government.
2. Confirm zoning authority
Even where the county handles building permits, the city or township may control zoning, setbacks, land use, parking, signs and site-plan approval.
3. Confirm building authority
Check the county’s current Building Inspection page or call 734-222-3900. Service agreements can change.
Separate the Building Permit From Other Approvals
Question |
Likely authority |
Action before applying |
|---|---|---|
Is the use allowed? What are the setbacks? |
City or township zoning |
Obtain zoning approval or written confirmation required by the local municipality. |
Do the plans meet construction code? |
County Building Inspection |
Confirm the county serves the jurisdiction, then submit building or trade plans. |
Is a well or septic permit required? |
Environmental Health |
Secure required well or sewage permits before the building application. |
Will the project disturb soil? |
Soil Erosion Program |
Check acreage and distance from surface water before clearing or grading. |
Does a driveway connect to a public road? |
Road authority |
Ask whether a driveway permit or waiver is needed. |
Will work affect a county drain or easement? |
Water Resources Commissioner |
Check whether a drain-use permit is required. |
Is the property in a flood hazard area? |
Local floodplain administrator |
Check FEMA mapping and local floodplain requirements before final design. |
Which Permit Path Fits the Project?
Project |
Start with |
Also check before filing |
|---|---|---|
New house or major addition |
Building permit |
Zoning, well/septic, soil erosion, driveway, drain, floodplain and trade permits |
Deck, porch or exterior stairs |
Building permit |
Setbacks, site plan, footings, ledger, guards and code details |
Detached garage, shed or accessory structure |
Building permit or local review |
Structure size, zoning setbacks, height and lot coverage |
Basement or interior remodel |
Building permit |
Egress, legal use, electrical, mechanical and plumbing work |
Electrical service, circuits or wiring |
Electrical permit |
Licensed contractor and associated building work |
Furnace, air conditioning, duct or gas work |
Mechanical permit |
Gas piping, venting and related electrical work |
Water, drainage or fixture work |
Plumbing permit |
Well, septic and building-permit dependencies |
Swimming pool |
Building and trade review |
Zoning, barriers, electrical bonding, setbacks and septic-field location |
Demolition |
Demolition/building review |
Utilities, asbestos or environmental requirements, soil erosion and site restoration |
Apply in Six Clear Steps
Confirm the county serves the property
Identify the city or township and verify the current building authority.
Complete local zoning review
Obtain any township or city zoning approval, site-plan approval or land-use clearance required before county plan review.
Complete well, septic and site approvals
Check Environmental Health, soil erosion, driveway, drain and floodplain requirements.
Prepare a complete plan package
Use the actual street address, directions to the site, plot or site plan, construction drawings, truss information and contractor or owner documents.
Submit in the county CSS portal
Open the official EnerGov Customer Self Service portal, choose the correct record type and upload the requested files.
Resolve reviews, obtain issuance and complete inspections
Answer each correction, pay the official invoice, wait for permit issuance, keep approved plans on site and complete every required inspection.
What to Prepare Before Opening the Portal
Property information
- Actual street address
- Parcel number
- City or township
- Directions to the site
- Owner’s legal name
- Current property use
Plans and project details
- Clear scope of work
- Site or plot plan
- Construction drawings
- Truss drawings when required
- Project valuation
- Product or equipment details
Approvals and people
- Local zoning approval
- Well/septic permits
- Soil-erosion approval
- Driveway or drain approval
- Contractor credentials
- Owner authorization or affidavit
Complete These Dependencies First When They Apply
Local zoning
Confirm permitted use, setbacks, height, lot coverage, signs, parking and site-plan requirements with the city or township.
Well and septic
Environmental Health says required well and sewage permits should be received before applying for building or soil-erosion permits.
Soil erosion
Check the exact disturbance area and distance from surface water before grading, clearing or excavation.
Driveway access
A new or changed driveway may need approval from the Washtenaw County Road Commission or another road authority.
County drain
A drain-use permit may be required for crossing, modifying or discharging to a county drain or working inside a drain easement.
Floodplain
Check FEMA mapping and contact the local floodplain administrator before finalizing elevations, foundations or fill.
When a Washtenaw Soil-Erosion Permit May Be Required
Near surface water
County guidance identifies projects within 500 feet of surface water that disturb 225 square feet or more.
Large disturbance
A project disturbing more than one acre may require a soil-erosion permit regardless of distance from surface water.
Keep These Items Ready for Inspectors
At the property
- Street address visible from road
- Safe access to the work
- Permit information available
- Approved building plans
- Truss drawings when applicable
- Work left uncovered
Before the inspection
- Correct inspection type
- Permit is active
- Required earlier inspections passed
- Work complete for that stage
- Site contact available
- Reinspection balance paid
Use the Correct Washtenaw Inspection Method
Online CSS portal
The permit owner can schedule eligible inspections through the official portal.
Automated IVR
Call 866-458-7358 for eligible permits issued after June 21, 2021.
Office phone
Call 734-222-3900. Phone scheduling is listed from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
Inspection area |
Examples |
Do not request until |
|---|---|---|
Building |
Footing, foundation, framing, insulation and final |
The approved stage is complete, accessible and uncovered. |
Electrical |
Service, rough wiring and final |
The electrical permit is active and required work is visible. |
Mechanical |
Heating, cooling, duct, gas and final |
Equipment, venting and required connections are ready. |
Plumbing |
Underground, rough, water/sewer and final |
Piping and test conditions are ready for inspection. |
Active Permit Status vs. Older County Records
Use CSS for active permit work
- Applications and permit status
- Department reviews
- Fees and payments
- Inspection scheduling and results
Use county records search for history
- Building Inspection records
- Well and septic records
- Soil-erosion records
- Available permits, plans and site documents
What Common Permit Statuses Mean
Use the Current Form or Portal Invoice
Permit and trade fees
- Choose the exact permit record type.
- Enter accurate project details and valuation.
- Add each required trade permit.
- Review the official calculated invoice.
- Ask about unclear charges before paying.
Construction Code Board of Appeals
Current county materials list:
- $150 residential appeal
- $300 commercial appeal
This is a construction-code appeal fee, not a township zoning-appeal fee.
Washtenaw-Specific Details Worth Checking
Deck design
The county deck page identifies a 40-pound live-load design requirement and links county guidance. Submit a site plan and complete structural details.
Radon-resistant construction
The county publishes radon-resistant construction requirements for covered residential projects. Confirm the required details before foundation work.
Swimming pools
Pool projects can involve building, electrical, plumbing, zoning, barrier and septic-location checks.
Fix Common Washtenaw Permit Problems
Problem |
Likely cause |
Best next action |
|---|---|---|
County portal does not recognize the address |
Wrong jurisdiction, missing street address or portal formatting |
Confirm city/township and building authority, then verify the official street address. |
Local zoning approval is missing |
The municipality handles land-use review separately |
Contact the city or township zoning office before resubmitting. |
Building application is on hold |
Well, septic, soil erosion, driveway, drain or floodplain approval is outstanding |
Ask the reviewer which agency clearance is missing. |
Plan corrections keep returning |
Comments were answered separately or files conflict |
Use a numbered response letter and upload one coordinated revision set. |
Online inspection option is unavailable |
You are not the permit owner, the record is not eligible or a hold exists |
Check portal ownership and call 734-222-3900. |
Final inspection cannot be completed |
Reinspection fee or related trade permit remains open |
Pay outstanding reinspection fees and verify every sub-permit status. |
Old record is not in CSS |
It is stored in the county records system |
Use the Building Inspection, well/septic and soil-erosion records search. |
Open permit appears during a sale |
Final inspection or closeout was never completed |
Collect the permit history and request a written list of remaining requirements. |
What to Say When You Call
“The property is at [address] in [city or township]. Does Washtenaw County Building Inspection issue the building and trade permits, or does the municipality use another department?”
“Before I submit the building permit, can you confirm whether I need zoning, well/septic, soil-erosion, driveway, drain or floodplain approval for this project?”
“Permit [number] at [address] does not appear final. Which inspection, fee or related trade permit is still outstanding?”
Do Not Consider the Permit Complete Until These Are Confirmed
- City or township confirmed
- Building authority confirmed
- Local zoning approval complete
- Well/septic permits complete
- Soil-erosion review complete
- Driveway or drain approval complete
- Complete plans submitted
- Permit formally issued
- Address visible from road
- Approved plans kept on site
- All inspections passed
- Reinspection fees paid
- Trade permits finaled
- Main permit closed
- Closure proof saved
- Final payment tied to closeout
Washtenaw County Building Inspection Map
Open the Correct Washtenaw County Resource
Washtenaw County Building Permit FAQs
Does Washtenaw County issue building permits for every address in the county?
No. Some cities and townships operate their own building department or use a different contracted authority. Confirm the municipality and current building authority before filing.
Where is the Washtenaw County online permit portal?
The official permit system is the EnerGov Customer Self Service portal at prodpermits.ewashtenaw.org. Use it only after confirming that the county serves the property.
How do I schedule a Washtenaw County inspection?
The permit owner can use the CSS portal for eligible inspections. The county also lists IVR scheduling at 866-458-7358 for eligible permits issued after June 21, 2021, or phone scheduling at 734-222-3900 from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM on weekdays.
How much is a Washtenaw County reinspection?
The county inspection page lists a $50 reinspection fee and states that final inspections will not be performed while reinspection fees remain unpaid.
What must be available at the property for inspection?
The street address should be visible from the road. Approved building plans and applicable truss drawings should be on site and available to the inspector, including for the footing inspection.
Do I need township zoning approval before the county building permit?
Often, yes. Where the county handles construction-code permits, the city or township may still require separate zoning, land-use or site-plan approval. Ask the municipality what proof must accompany the county application.
When is a soil-erosion permit required?
County guidance identifies projects within 500 feet of surface water that disturb at least 225 square feet, or projects disturbing more than one acre. Smaller projects may qualify for a waiver; confirm with the Soil Erosion Program.
Should I get well and septic permits before the building permit?
Washtenaw Environmental Health says required well and sewage permits should be received before applying for building and/or soil-erosion permits.
Where can I find old building, well or septic records?
Use the county Search Permit Records page for available Building Inspection, well, septic and soil-erosion records. Use CSS for active applications and current permit activity.
Can I start work when the permit status says approved?
Confirm that the permit has been formally issued and all required fees, zoning approvals and other conditions are cleared. Approved can still mean that an issuance step remains.
Source and Accuracy Note
Building-Department.org is an independent informational guide and is not Washtenaw County. Official applications, payments, inspections, approvals and code decisions must be handled by the county or the correct local municipality.
This page was checked against official Washtenaw County Building Inspection, Environmental Health, Soil Erosion, permit-record and inspection resources.
Last reviewed: July 22, 2026.
Jurisdiction agreements, forms, staff, fees, portal behavior and inspection procedures can change. Confirm time-sensitive details before filing, paying or beginning work.
Khushboo Bobade is a public records researcher and editorial writer specializing in government service documentation and construction permit systems.
Her research focuses on explaining building permits, inspection procedures, zoning regulations, and public permit records maintained by local government building departments across the United States.
Professional profile: View LinkedIn Profile
Check Permit Type, Estimate Fees, Prepare Inspections and Find Official Building Department Links
Use this free tool before applying for a building permit, booking an inspection, checking zoning rules, or searching permit records. It helps homeowners, contractors, landlords, buyers, and business owners understand the next step before visiting the official building department portal.
What building department task do you need help with?
Choose your goal. The tool will suggest the right next step, what to prepare, and which official page to check.
Before starting work, check whether your project needs building, zoning, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, right-of-way, or HOA approval.
Many portals require contractor registration, license details, insurance, plans, owner authorization, and inspection scheduling access.
Building Permit Type Finder
Select the project type to understand which permits or reviews are commonly required. Always confirm with the official local building department.
Permit Fee Estimate Calculator
Estimate a rough permit fee using project value and common percentage-based review assumptions. Local minimum fees, technology fees, impact fees, reinspection fees, and trade fees can change the final amount.
Inspection Readiness Checklist
Use this before scheduling framing, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, roofing, final, or certificate-related inspections.
Zoning and Setback Pre-check
Use this before applying for a permit when your project may affect land use, setbacks, lot coverage, height, parking, signs, fences, accessory structures, or business use.
Plan Review Timeline Estimator
Estimate how complex your review may be. Local staffing, incomplete plans, corrections, holidays, fire review, zoning review, and outside agency review can change timing.
Permit Records Search Helper
Use this if you are trying to find old permits, inspection history, certificate of occupancy details, open permits, or code-related records.
Official Building Department Resource Finder
Enter city/county and state to create safe searches for official permit portals, inspection scheduling, building codes, zoning maps, forms, fees, and contact pages.
Building Department vs Planning/Zoning
- Building Department: permits, plan review, inspections, code compliance, certificates.
- Planning/Zoning: land use, setbacks, height, lot coverage, signs, parking, variances.
Best sitewide placement
Place this tool after the first main guide section or before FAQs. It turns a normal article into a practical permit-preparation page.
Important note
This tool gives educational guidance only. Final permit requirements, fees, inspections, forms, and deadlines must be confirmed with the official local building department.