Chesterfield Township Building Department 2026: Permits, Inspections & Services

Chesterfield Township Building Permits, Inspections & Local Services

If you are planning a deck, addition, basement finish, new house, fence, swimming pool, commercial improvement, electrical upgrade, plumbing work, or HVAC project in Chesterfield Township, Michigan, the Building & Code Enforcement Department is usually the place to start.

This guide is for Chesterfield Charter Township in Macomb County, Michigan. It should not be confused with Chesterfield Township, New Jersey or Chesterfield County, Virginia. Checking the jurisdiction before paying a fee can save an unnecessary application and a frustrating delay.

Chesterfield Township Building Department Contact Information

The township FAQ says inspectors are generally available for questions in the office from 8:00-9:30 AM and again from 4:00-4:30 PM. If you have a technical question about a proposed project, calling during those windows may make it easier to reach inspection staff.

What Does the Chesterfield Township Building Department Handle?

The department reviews construction plans, issues permits, performs inspections and enforces applicable construction requirements within the township. Building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical work are separate permit categories, so one project can require more than one permit.

Michigan municipalities administer permits differently even though statewide construction codes apply. For comparison, our Ann Arbor building permit guide explains why the correct local enforcing agency matters before an application is submitted.

How to Apply for a Chesterfield Township Building Permit

1. Confirm the property is inside Chesterfield Charter Township. The official BS&A page identifies the municipality as Chesterfield Charter Township in Macomb County, Michigan. Do not rely only on a mailing address.
2. Identify every permit your project requires. Structural work may need a building permit while wiring, plumbing or HVAC work can require separate trade permits.
3. Check zoning before designing around setbacks. Property zoning affects required yards, accessory-building locations and other site rules. Use the township’s Planning & Zoning page when location or land use is involved.
4. Collect the correct application and drawings. The township publishes individual application packages for additions, decks, pools, fences, demolition, new homes, trade work and other projects.
5. Prepare applicant and contractor information. Depending on the project, this can include property information, owner’s name, applicant identification, contractor or trade-license details and estimated construction value.
6. Prepare plans and a plot plan when required. Drawings should clearly show what is being built. Site-related projects commonly require distances to property lines, buildings or easements.
7. Submit electronically. Township project forms state that electronic applications have been required since January 1, 2024. Use the official BS&A portal or follow the submission method on the applicable form.
8. Respond to review comments. Missing dimensions, incomplete plans, zoning conflicts or missing supporting approvals can delay issuance.
9. Pay the applicable fees and wait for permit issuance. Do not treat application submission or plan approval alone as permission to begin regulated construction.
10. Keep the permit active through required inspections. Request each inspection before work is concealed and obtain final approval when the project is complete.

Documents to Prepare Before You Apply

Requirements depend on the project, but having the following ready can prevent repeated submissions:

• Property/job address.
• Owner and applicant contact information.
• Clear project description.
• Estimated construction cost where requested.
• Applicant driver’s license or identification when the application package requests it.
• Builder or trade-contractor license information when applicable.
• Construction drawings with dimensions.
• Plot plan, mortgage survey or site plan for projects involving placement on the property.
• HOA approval when a project application specifically requires it.
• County, road, soil-erosion or other agency approval where applicable.

Electronic permitting is also common in other Michigan communities. If you are working in more than one municipality, our Bloomfield Township permit guide explains another Michigan BS&A workflow, but do not use one municipality’s requirements for a Chesterfield Township project.

Project-Specific Requirements You Should Know

The most useful information is often buried inside individual permit PDFs. Chesterfield Township publishes project-specific instructions, so the documents you need can change with the work.

Decks

The township’s deck instructions state that building permits are required for decks. The application package asks for construction drawings, including useful top and side views, and a plot plan or mortgage survey showing the proposed deck and its relationship to property lines, easements and structures.

If a homeowners association applies to the property, written approval may also be required. A builder license is requested when applicable. Deck work generally requires construction-stage inspection and final inspection, so do not cover structural elements before required review.

Basement Finishing

For a basement finish, the township’s posted instructions call for a building application, builder license when applicable, applicant identification and construction drawings. Electrical, plumbing or mechanical work added as part of the basement project can trigger separate trade permits.

Additions

An addition normally requires more site information because the building footprint is changing. Township instructions call for a building application, construction drawings and a plot plan showing dimensions. A Macomb County soil-erosion permit may also be required depending on the project.

Fences

The 2026 Chesterfield Township fee schedule lists a $65 fence fee. Township fence instructions require applicants to identify the fence location, dimensions and material and provide a plot plan or mortgage survey.

Do not guess property lines. The township warns that property owners are responsible for accurate fence placement, and private boundary disputes are not solved through the building permit process.

Swimming Pools and Spas

The township’s pool guidance states that a pool containing 24 inches or more of water at any point, or having a filter, requires building, electrical and mechanical permits. Additional requirements such as a bond and barrier compliance can apply.

The current 2026 building fee schedule lists:

• Above-ground pool: $125 plus applicable bond.
• In-ground pool: $300 plus applicable bond and final-grade inspection requirement.
• Electrical swimming-pool item: $40, in addition to applicable electrical permit charges.
• Mechanical pool heater item: $55, when applicable, plus other mechanical permit charges.

Because a pool involves zoning, electrical safety, barriers and placement, confirm the current site requirements before ordering the pool or excavating.

Commercial and Industrial Projects

Commercial submissions can involve several departments and outside agencies. Chesterfield Township’s commercial and industrial checklist identifies items such as:

• Building permit application.
• Complete construction drawings.
• Energy-code documentation.
• Estimated cost of improvements.
• Parcel number.
• Site-plan or Zoning Board of Appeals information when applicable.
• Macomb County soil-erosion approval where required.
• County approach or MDOT approval where applicable.
• Future water-meter size.

For a new commercial, industrial or multifamily development—or a substantial change of use—Planning & Zoning review may be required before the building permit can move forward.

Chesterfield Township Building Permit Fees for 2026

The township’s published 2026 Fee Schedule was revised April 14, 2026. Fees vary considerably by permit type and project scope, so the numbers below should be used as a planning reference rather than a final project quote.

New homes and larger building projects use additional valuation or square-foot calculations. Commercial and industrial building permits use construction-value formulas. Electrical, plumbing and mechanical permit totals also depend on the equipment, fixtures, circuits or systems included.

For the current calculation, always compare your project against the official Chesterfield Township 2026 fee schedule before submitting payment.

How to Schedule a Building Inspection

The Building Department’s published instructions say to call 586-949-0400, extension 6476. The extension is a voicemail box.

1. Have the property address ready.
2. Have the permit number ready.
3. Know exactly which inspection you need.
4. Call extension 6476.
5. Leave the address, permit number and inspection type in the message.
6. For a requested next-day inspection, submit the request before 3:00 PM.
7. Keep the work exposed and accessible until it has been inspected.

Chesterfield’s BS&A municipal portal also displays a Schedule an Inspection service. If you cannot access the permit online, your contractor record is not linked, or the inspection type does not appear, use the Building Department’s published phone procedure.

BS&A is also used by several Michigan municipalities. Our Bloomfield Hills building department guide shows how local account and inspection procedures can differ even when the same software is involved.

Do Not Cover Work Before Inspection

This point matters. Chesterfield’s trade permit forms state that work requiring inspection should not be concealed, covered or put into operation before the applicable inspector has approved it.

Examples can include underground work before backfilling, framing before covering structural members, electrical rough work before drywall, or plumbing work before walls are closed. Your actual inspection sequence depends on the project and permit.

How Long Is a Chesterfield Township Permit Valid?

Check the conditions printed on your actual permit. The township’s plumbing application, for example, states that a permit becomes invalid when authorized work does not begin within six months after issuance or when work is suspended or abandoned for six months after beginning. It also states that a permit can be cancelled when no inspection is requested and conducted within a six-month period.

Because permit conditions can vary, do not assume an old permit remains active. Search the permit record in BS&A or contact the Building Department before restarting work.

Building Codes Used in Chesterfield Township in 2026

Chesterfield Township states that it enforces the construction codes adopted by the State of Michigan. As of October 2026, Michigan LARA lists the following important code editions:

Code editions can change during the life of a construction project. For the latest state status, use the Michigan Bureau of Construction Codes code-book page.

If you are researching permit practices elsewhere in Michigan, see our Birmingham, Michigan building department guide. Each municipality can have its own applications, fees, zoning rules and inspection procedures even when the same Michigan construction codes apply.

Zoning, Setbacks and Planning Approval

A building permit and zoning approval answer different questions. Building review focuses mainly on code-compliant construction. Zoning determines whether the structure or use is allowed in that location and where it can be placed.

Chesterfield Township explains that setback requirements depend on the property’s zoning classification and that accessory projects such as sheds, garages and pools can have different setback rules from the principal building.

Before preparing a site plan:

1. Identify the property’s zoning classification.
2. Review the current township zoning ordinance.
3. Check front, side and rear setback requirements.
4. Identify recorded easements and rights-of-way.
5. Confirm special rules for the proposed project type.
6. If the project cannot meet zoning requirements, ask Planning & Zoning whether a variance process is required before spending money on final plans.

Township Certification for Existing Nonresidential Property

Chesterfield has a separate Township Certification policy for existing nonresidential structures and premises. The township policy states that certification is required when there is a change in use, ownership, name or occupant of an existing building or structure, subject to listed exceptions.

A zoning compliance permit is required for a new use before applying for Township Certification. Inspections may involve building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, public services, zoning, fire and other departments considered necessary by the Building Official.

The current 2026 fee schedule lists Township Certification at $455 plus the applicable bond.

Common Reasons a Permit Application Gets Delayed

• The job address or parcel information is incomplete.
• The project description is too vague.
• The plot plan does not show property-line distances.
• Construction drawings are missing dimensions.
• A required contractor or trade-license number is missing.
• Electrical, plumbing or mechanical applications were not submitted separately.
• The project conflicts with zoning setbacks.
• An HOA approval required by a project checklist is missing.
• Required county, road, soil-erosion or other outside approval has not been obtained.
• Commercial energy or site-plan information is incomplete.

A few extra minutes checking the project-specific township instructions before submitting can prevent days of back-and-forth later.

Top 10 FAQs About the Chesterfield Township Building Department

Information note: Fees, staff assignments, permit forms and code requirements can change. This guide reflects official Chesterfield Township and Michigan resources reviewed for 2026. Confirm project-specific conditions before beginning regulated work.