Clinton Twp Building Department 2026: Permits, Inspections & Services

Clinton Township Building Permits, Inspections & Local Requirements

If you searched for the Clinton Twp Building Department, this guide covers the Charter Township of Clinton in Macomb County, Michigan. The township Building Department handles building permits, plan review, construction inspections, trade permits, code compliance and many ordinance-related issues.

The important part is knowing what to do before you start. Clinton Township uses downloadable permit applications rather than one single online permit system for every project, while routine building inspection requests are now submitted online.

What Does the Clinton Township Building Department Handle?

The department administers construction permits and inspections for properties within Clinton Township. Building work is separate from many Public Services, road, drainage, planning and county-level approvals, so identifying the right permit before submitting paperwork can save a frustrating second trip.

Clinton Township specifically lists additions, antennas, awnings, basement egress windows, basement finishing, waterproofing, decks, arbors, gazebos, demolition, fences, garage or basement floor replacement, garages, sheds, rat walls, hot tubs, swimming pools, patios with footings, porches, reroofing, sidewalks, approaches and certain window changes among common projects requiring permits.

How to Apply for a Clinton Township Building Permit

What Documents Should You Prepare?

Minor residential projects

For typical minor residential work, the township lists three core items:

1. A completed permit application.
2. Two sets of drawings, including a wall section showing the proposed construction.
3. Two copies of the plot plan or mortgage survey showing existing structures and the proposed project location.

Projects requiring formal plan review

Clinton Township’s plan-review instructions call for the following when full plan review is required:

For commercial or industrial construction, fire-suppression shop drawings and calculations may have a separate Fire Department submission. Do not assume that delivering the Building Department plan set completes every required agency review.

See the township’s official plan-review instructions before printing large sets.

Clinton Township Building Permit Fees in 2026

Permit costs depend on the project. The township publishes a detailed multi-page fee schedule, and larger projects may include construction-value calculations, plan review, trade permits, inspections and bonds. The figures below are useful starting points, not a project quote.

Building Department payment options include cash, check, money order and credit card where accepted. Confirm the exact amount before mailing or authorizing payment because fees can change and some permits include bonds or separate trade charges.

Check the full official fee schedule before paying.

Local Rules That Commonly Catch Applicants Off Guard

Sheds and detached garages

The township’s accessory-building guide says permits must be obtained before construction starts. It requires two copies of items such as the mortgage survey, wall section, elevation and floor plan.

• A detached accessory structure cannot be placed in an easement.
• Accessory structures are generally limited to the rear yard.
• The guide lists a maximum accessory-structure height of one story or 14 feet.
• Detached structures over 200 square feet have additional side-yard/fire-rating requirements.
• Parcel-specific zoning, lot coverage and setbacks should be checked before finalizing the design.

Pools, spas and hot tubs

Clinton Township’s residential pool guide applies to pools capable of holding 24 inches or more of water. It lists building, plumbing and electrical permits, with a mechanical permit when applicable.

Its published location rules include:

• No placement in an easement.
• At least 25 feet from the front lot line.
• At least 4 feet from another building on the same lot.
• At least 6 feet from side or rear lot lines to the water’s edge.

In-ground projects may also need grading information, utility locations and drainage review. Confirm the requirements for the specific parcel rather than designing only from a general setback summary.

Fences

The current fence application asks for the property address, owner, fence length, height, material, estimated cost, lot type and whether the fence will enclose a pool or spa. It also states that supporting construction should face inward and the smooth side should face neighboring property or the right-of-way unless approved otherwise.

Roof replacement

Yes, Clinton Township requires a permit for reroofing. The reroof application asks for roof area, construction cost, underlayment and ventilation information. Commercial flat-roof work requires additional product and energy-code information.

Newly completed homes

A useful township-specific rule: the township FAQ says a permit for a shed, deck, pool, fence or similar accessory project cannot be obtained for a new house until the final Certificate of Occupancy has been issued and the buyer’s name appears on the property deed.

Soil erosion, grading and drainage

Land disturbance, grading, excavation, new construction and projects affecting runoff may trigger soil-erosion requirements. Review the township’s soil erosion guidance before excavation instead of waiting until an inspection identifies a site-control problem.

How to Schedule a Clinton Township Building Inspection

Clinton Township is moving routine inspection scheduling away from the former telephone process. The Building Department directs permit holders to use its online inspection request form.

1. Open the official Building Inspection Request form.
2. Enter the street address where the inspection will occur.
3. Select the requested inspection date.
4. Enter the permit number. The form notes that it begins with “P”.
5. Enter the inspection type, such as footing, rough, rat wall, above-ground or final.
6. Add the onsite contact person’s name and working telephone number.
7. Enter the contact email and any useful notes for the inspector.
8. Submit the request and keep the confirmation information.

Before requesting the inspection

• Make sure the permit is active.
• Complete the work for that inspection stage.
• Do not cover work that must remain visible for inspection.
• Keep approved plans and permit information available at the site.
• Provide safe access to the work.
• Complete required trade inspections before the building final when applicable.
• Resolve previous correction notices before requesting another final.

How Long Does a Clinton Township Permit Stay Active?

Township permit materials use a 180-day activity rule. In general, a permit may become invalid if authorized work does not begin within 180 days after issuance or if work is suspended or abandoned for 180 days.

Trade permit applications are especially clear: permits can be cancelled when no qualifying inspection is requested and conducted within 180 days of issuance or the previous inspection. Electrical, plumbing and mechanical forms warn that cancelled permits cannot simply be refunded or reinstated.

The general building fee schedule provides a possible written renewal route for certain expired building permits, potentially for another 180 days at 50% of the original permit fee. This is not something to assume will apply to every permit. Contact the Building Department with the exact permit number before restarting work.

Building Codes Used in Clinton Township in 2026

The township’s current-code page lists the following editions and effective dates:

Code editions can change independently. For a project close to an adoption date, verify the edition that applies to the permit rather than assuming every building and trade code changed at the same time.

View Clinton Township’s current code list.

Can a Homeowner Pull Their Own Permit?

Yes. Clinton Township’s FAQ says a property owner may pull a permit for work on their own property. However, when a contractor is performing part or all of the work, the township recommends having the contractor obtain the permit so the responsible licensed party remains associated with the permitted work.

A homeowner permit is not faster or cheaper simply because the homeowner is listed as the applicant. Homeowner affidavits on the trade forms also make the homeowner responsible for arranging inspections and ensuring work is not concealed or placed into operation before required approval.

Check a contractor before signing

Verify the contractor’s Michigan license status, classification and expiration date before submitting permit paperwork. Clinton Township provides an official license-verification page that directs users to the State of Michigan lookup.

How to Check an Old or Open Building Permit

If you are buying a home, selling property or continuing unfinished construction, do not assume a paid permit means the job was completed. What matters is whether required inspections were approved and the permit was finalized.

1. Collect the full property address and parcel information if available.
2. Look for old permit numbers on contractor invoices, permit cards, inspection stickers and closing files.
3. Call the Building Department at 586-286-9323.
4. Ask whether the building permit is active, expired, cancelled or final.
5. Ask whether electrical, plumbing or mechanical permits remain open separately.
6. Confirm whether a Certificate of Occupancy was required and issued.
7. If formal copies are needed, use the township’s FOIA process.

The official Clinton Township FOIA request form can be used to request public records such as permit documents, inspection history or related records when informal assistance is not enough.

Common Permit Problems and the Fastest Next Step

Before You Submit: A Simple Checklist

• Correct Clinton Township jurisdiction confirmed.
• Zoning, setbacks and easements checked.
• Correct building or trade application downloaded.
• Property owner and contractor information complete.
• Contractor license status verified.
• Two residential plan sets or required commercial sets prepared.
• Plot plan or mortgage survey included where needed.
• Professional seals and signatures included when required.
• Separate electrical, mechanical and plumbing forms prepared.
• Current fee and bond amount confirmed.
• Permit formally issued before work begins.
• Work kept visible until required inspections pass.
• Online inspection requests submitted as construction progresses.
• All building and trade finals completed before considering the project closed.

Permit procedures are local even when Michigan construction codes are statewide. If you are comparing another Michigan jurisdiction, the process can be quite different. See our guides to the Ann Arbor building permit process, Birmingham, Michigan Building Department, and Bloomfield Township Building Department.

Frequently Asked Questions

Information reviewed for 2026 using Charter Township of Clinton Building Department resources. USBuilding.org is an independent informational resource and is not the Charter Township of Clinton or a government agency.