Building Permits & Inspections in Antrim County
Need a building permit or inspection? The Antrim County Department of Building Safety handles county construction-code services, including building permit applications, plan reviews and inspections within its enforcement jurisdiction.
Applications and payments are available through the county’s BS&A Online portal. Before applying, confirm your property’s jurisdiction, obtain the required zoning approval and prepare construction plans.
Department Contact & Quick Information
| Department | Antrim County Department of Building Safety / Building Department |
|---|---|
| Location | 205 E. Cayuga Street, Bellaire, MI 49615 |
| Mailing address | P.O. Box 188, Bellaire, MI 49615 |
| Main telephone | (231) 533-8373 |
| Inspection requests | (231) 533-3510 |
| constructioncode@antrimcountymi.gov | |
| Government website | Antrim County official website |
| Online services | County permit, inspection and record portal |
The published inspection instructions identify 8:00–9:30 a.m., Monday–Friday, as a time to speak with an inspector. This is not a verified current public-counter schedule; confirm office hours before visiting.
Online Permit, Inspection & Record Links
| What you need | Where to go |
|---|---|
| Apply for a permit | BS&A Online — Apply for a Permit |
| Schedule an inspection | BS&A Online — Schedule an Inspection |
| Check an existing permit | Building Department Record Search |
| Pay a permit fee | Pay a Building Department Fee |
| Read application requirements | Antrim County Building Requirements (PDF) |
| Download a building application | County Building Permit Application (PDF) |
The PDF application is a previously published county form. Confirm that the department still accepts this version before submitting a paper application.
Which Building Permits Are Available?
Antrim County administers several construction permit categories. The correct permit depends on the work and the property’s enforcing jurisdiction.
| Permit | Typical work |
|---|---|
| Building | New homes, additions, structural renovations, garages, decks and other regulated structures. |
| Electrical | Electrical installations, circuits, service panels and major electrical alterations. |
| Mechanical | Heating, cooling, ventilation, ductwork and regulated mechanical installations. |
| Plumbing | Water supply, drainage, waste piping and regulated plumbing installations. |
| Demolition / alterations | Demolition or remodeling that requires approval under applicable construction codes. |
Important: A building permit does not automatically replace separate electrical, plumbing or mechanical permits. Zoning, septic, environmental and other approvals may also be required.
How to Apply for an Antrim County Building Permit
- Confirm the property’s jurisdiction. Identify the township or village and property tax parcel number. Ask the county whether it is the enforcing agency for the proposed work. Zoning authorization comes from the applicable local zoning authority.
- Obtain a valid property address. The county’s online application instructions say an address assigned through Equalization is needed before a permit can be issued. If the site is unaddressed, follow the portal’s New Property Address Form instructions.
- Prepare required documents. Assemble the signed application, property identification, zoning approval, site plan, construction drawings, applicable energy documentation and any required septic or soil-erosion approval.
- Open the official portal. Visit Antrim County BS&A Online, select Apply for a Permit and follow the available application workflow.
- Register or sign in when prompted. Contractors need current state licensing information on file. The county’s portal instructs registered contractors to contact the department for a Web PIN linking their online account to their contractor profile.
- Enter the project details. Provide the address, owner and contractor information, project description, construction dimensions and supporting documentation requested for that permit type.
- Submit and complete payment. Review the information before submission. Pay applicable charges using the available portal process or follow the department’s instructions if additional review or payment is required.
- Wait for issuance. Respond to plan-review comments and obtain the required approved permit before starting regulated construction.
Documents Required for Building Plan Review
The county’s published building requirements identify the following items, depending on the project:
- Completed and signed building permit application.
- Property tax identification number and assigned site address.
- Local zoning permit or applicable zoning authorization.
- Site plan showing construction location, property lines, dimensions and existing buildings.
- Foundation and floor plans, roof and wall sections, and building elevations.
- Applicable energy compliance documentation, such as REScheck or the prescribed method.
- Septic, soil-erosion, floodplain or other agency approvals when required.
- Truss documentation for structures using purchased trusses.
- Michigan residential builder license information for applicable contractor work.
Engineered plans: The county’s requirements call for signed and sealed plans for commercial projects and residences over 3,500 square feet, along with plan-review documentation. Pole buildings with wall heights greater than 12 feet also have a stated sealed-drawing requirement. Confirm the exact design-professional requirements for your project before submitting.
Zoning, Septic, Soil Erosion & Other Approvals
In Antrim County, especially for lakefront properties, rural parcels and new construction, approvals beyond the building permit can affect the schedule.
| Approval | When it matters |
|---|---|
| Local zoning | Confirm permitted use, setbacks, height, location and other township or village requirements before building-plan submission. |
| Septic | If the project is not connected to municipal sewer, the county’s requirements call for a valid health-department permit. Published contact: (231) 533-8670. |
| Soil erosion | The county’s checklist flags work within 500 feet of a lake or stream or earth disturbance exceeding one acre. Published contact: (231) 533-3650. |
| Floodplain | Site elevation and flood-hazard requirements may affect proposed development in regulated locations. |
| Wetlands / waters | Some activities require Michigan EGLE review or authorization in addition to local permits. |
Projects around Torch Lake, Elk Lake, Lake Bellaire and other waterways deserve an early check of shoreland restrictions, erosion controls and wastewater approvals. Location near water does not automatically mean every listed permit is required; the exact work and site conditions control.
How to Schedule Building Inspections
Inspection request: (231) 533-3510
The county’s published inspection guide asks permit holders to request inspections 24 hours in advance. It also states that inspections normally occur within 24 hours under normal circumstances; this is not a guaranteed 2026 appointment time.
- Complete the work required for the applicable inspection stage.
- Make sure the permit, approved plans and required supporting documents are available at the job site.
- Post the assigned property address visibly before the first inspection.
- Open the county BS&A portal and choose Schedule an Inspection, or call the inspection request line.
- Provide the permit or record number, property address, inspection type and contact information requested.
- Keep work accessible. Do not cover or conceal components that must be inspected first.
- Review the result and arrange corrections or reinspection if required.
When Are Inspections Required?
| Inspection | When to request it |
|---|---|
| Footing | After excavation, forms and required reinforcement are ready, before concrete is poured. |
| Foundation / backfill | After foundation work, reinforcement, waterproofing and drainage preparations, before backfilling. |
| Underground plumbing / mechanical | After underground installations are ready, before trenches or components are covered. |
| Rough electrical, plumbing and mechanical | After applicable systems are installed and before insulation or interior finishes conceal them. |
| Rough building / framing | After the required trade rough-ins are approved and before concealed framing work is finished. |
| Insulation | Before insulation is covered, subject to the department’s listed exceptions. |
| Final | After construction is complete and required trade finals have been approved. |
The county also specifies an additional partial rough-inspection sequence for post-frame construction. Its published instructions require submission of the blower-door test before building final approval where applicable.
Read the county’s required inspection stages (PDF).
Building Permit Fees & Processing Times
Permit fees vary by project. Antrim County’s building requirements direct applicants to call (231) 533-8373 for building permit costs and provide a square-footage breakdown.
Have the following ready when requesting a fee estimate:
- Property address and township or village.
- Type of construction and proposed use.
- Square footage of each dwelling level, garage, deck, porch and other relevant component.
- Whether separate trade permits or plan reviews are needed.
Processing time: No universal current plan-review turnaround was verified. Incomplete applications, required agency approvals and plan corrections can delay issuance. Ask the department about review timing for your specific project.
How Long Is an Antrim County Building Permit Valid?
The county’s published requirements state a maximum permit life of five years. They also state that a permit will be canceled when no inspections are requested and conducted within six months of issuance or the previous inspection.
Michigan Building Codes Applicable in 2026
Antrim County administers construction requirements under Michigan’s state construction-code framework. The state’s current code listings identify the following editions as of this review:
| Code category | Listed current edition |
|---|---|
| Residential | 2015 Michigan Residential Code |
| Building / commercial | 2021 Michigan Building Code |
| Rehabilitation | 2021 Michigan Rehabilitation Code |
| Mechanical | 2021 Michigan Mechanical Code |
| Plumbing | 2021 Michigan Plumbing Code |
| Electrical | 2023 National Electrical Code with Michigan rules |
| Commercial energy | 2021 Michigan Commercial Energy Code |
2026 residential code clarification: Although Michigan developed updated residential and energy rules based partly on 2021 standards, a 2025 court order paused their implementation. Michigan’s published code listings continue to identify the 2015 residential edition as current. Check the state’s current notices for any subsequent court or rulemaking changes before designing new work.
View Michigan’s official current construction-code list.
Common Permit Problems & What to Do
| Problem | Practical next step |
|---|---|
| Address not recognized | Verify the parcel and assigned street address. Follow the county Equalization address process if needed. |
| Application incomplete | Check for missing zoning approval, signed forms, plans, energy documents or agency permits. |
| Contractor account not linked | Confirm the state license details and contact the county for the BS&A Web PIN. |
| Inspection failed | Review the correction comments, repair the cited items and request reinspection. |
| Permit appears expired | Ask the department whether a new application and fees are required before resuming work. |
| Work started without a permit | Contact the department promptly, describe the work and ask about corrective permitting and inspections. |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who issues building permits in Antrim County, Michigan?
The Antrim County Department of Building Safety administers county construction permits and inspections within its enforcement jurisdiction. Confirm the property’s township or village and responsible permitting authority before applying.
2. Can I apply for an Antrim County building permit online?
Yes. Antrim County provides online permit applications and payment through BS&A Online. Select Antrim County, choose Apply for a Permit, and follow the application instructions for your project.
3. What documents do I need for a building permit?
Typical requirements include a signed application, property tax identification, zoning authorization, site plan, construction drawings and applicable energy documentation. Septic, erosion-control or other approvals may also be required.
4. Do I need zoning approval before a building permit?
The county’s published building requirements call for a valid zoning permit. Contact the applicable township or village zoning authority to confirm setbacks, permitted use and local approval requirements.
5. Do lakefront properties require additional permits?
They may. The county flags soil-erosion approval for certain work within 500 feet of a lake or stream or where more than one acre is disturbed. Wetland, floodplain, septic and local zoning requirements may also apply.
6. How do I schedule an Antrim County building inspection?
Call the published inspection request line at (231) 533-3510 or use Antrim County’s BS&A Online inspection service. The county’s published instructions request 24 hours’ advance notice.
7. When should footing, rough and final inspections be requested?
Footings are inspected before concrete placement; rough construction and trade work must be inspected before being concealed. Final building inspections follow completed construction and approval of required trade inspections.
8. How much does an Antrim County building permit cost?
Fees depend on the project and its dimensions. Call (231) 533-8373 with a square-footage breakdown for current charges. The county’s published requirements say additional inspections could cost $50 per occurrence.
9. How long does an Antrim County building permit remain valid?
Published county requirements state a five-year maximum permit life. They also say permits are canceled when no inspection is requested and conducted within six months of issuance or the previous inspection.
10. Which Michigan building codes apply in Antrim County in 2026?
Michigan’s published current-code list identifies the 2015 Michigan Residential Code, 2021 Michigan Building Code, 2021 mechanical and plumbing codes, and 2023 National Electrical Code with Michigan rules. Confirm any later updates before starting work.
Official Documents & Resources
- Antrim County Building Requirements (2025 PDF) — application documents, approvals, permit life and fee guidance.
- County Building Permit Application (PDF) — published application fields and site-plan requirements.
- Required Construction Inspections (PDF) — inspection stages and advance request instructions.
- County Electrical Permit Application (PDF).
- County Mechanical Permit Application (PDF).
- Antrim County BS&A Online Services — permits, payments, inspections and record searches.
- Michigan LARA Current Building Codes.
- Michigan Construction Code Rule Updates.
Information reviewed: October 8, 2026. Older published county forms and inspection instructions may be superseded; confirm current requirements with the department before applying. USBuilding.org is an independent informational website and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Antrim County government.