Benzie County Permits & Inspections: 2026 Guide
Need a building permit or inspection in Benzie County, Michigan? Contact the Benzie County Building Safety and Code Enforcement Department at 231-882-9673. The office handles building and trade permits, plan reviews, code enforcement, and construction inspections.
Applications can be emailed to building@benzieco.gov. To request an inspection, call 231-882-9674 before 3:30 p.m. for scheduling on the next available inspection date.
Department Contact Information
| Official department | Benzie County Building Safety and Code Enforcement |
|---|---|
| Address | 448 Court Place, Suite 149, Lower Level, Government Center, Beulah, MI 49617 |
| Main phone | 231-882-9673 |
| Inspection line | 231-882-9674 (24-hour request line) |
| Application email | building@benzieco.gov |
| Office hours | Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Eastern Time |
| Service area | Benzie County and Springdale Township in Manistee County, for the department’s applicable construction-code enforcement services |
| Official website | County Building Department |
Department Personnel
| Contact | Responsibility | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Nick Keck | Building Official, plan review, soil erosion | 616-292-7823 |
| Jim Zimmerman | Building Inspector, plan review, soil erosion | 231-383-0043 |
| Dave Salzer | Electrical Inspector | 231-392-3413 |
| Brian Vanslambrouck | Mechanical and Plumbing Inspector, plan review | 231-600-3279 |
Personnel and schedules are based on the county’s published directory and may change. The main office is the best starting point for current assignments.
Which Building Permits Are Available?
The county administers construction-code permitting for residential and commercial projects. The required permit depends on the work involved.
| Permit | Typical Projects |
|---|---|
| Building | New homes, commercial buildings, additions, structural alterations, decks, garages and other regulated structures |
| Electrical | Wiring, service panels, new circuits and other regulated electrical installations |
| Mechanical | Heating, ventilation, air-conditioning equipment and regulated mechanical systems |
| Plumbing | New plumbing systems, fixtures, water piping and drain alterations when regulated |
| Demolition | Demolition or removal of buildings and other structures requiring approval |
| Soil erosion | Qualifying land disturbance, erosion-control and construction-site activities |
How to Apply for a Benzie County Building Permit
Use this sequence to avoid submitting an incomplete application or starting work before the necessary approvals are issued.
- Confirm your jurisdiction.
Confirm the address, local township/city/village zoning rules, and whether a county building permit is required.
- Check prerequisite approvals.
Obtain any required land-use/zoning approval and review septic/well, soil erosion, driveway, and other agency permits.
- Choose the application.
Download the correct county building or trade permit application from the official department page.
- Gather project details.
Prepare the job address, parcel number, applicant/contractor information, scope of work, and required plans.
- Submit your documents.
Email the completed application and attachments to building@benzieco.gov or deliver them to the Beulah office; ask how to pay the applicable 2026 fees.
- Complete the review.
Respond to plan-review corrections and wait for permit issuance before starting regulated work.
- Complete inspections.
Arrange required inspections at 231-882-9674 before concealed work and obtain final approval when applicable.
- Check the legal property description and parcel identification number.
- Provide a clear project description, site plan and construction drawings when required.
- Identify the licensed contractor or qualifying homeowner applicant.
- Check setbacks, septic capacity, erosion controls and other prerequisites.
- Ask whether additional plan review, professional seals or commercial approvals apply.
Michigan LARA explains that construction documents generally accompany building permit applications, with certain exceptions and circumstances in which the building official may waive specific plan requirements.
Official Building Permit Forms
Benzie County publishes separate residential and commercial applications. Use the document that matches your project.
| Application | Official Resource |
|---|---|
| Building permit | Building application PDF |
| Residential electrical | Electrical application PDF |
| Residential mechanical | Mechanical application PDF |
| Residential plumbing | Plumbing application PDF |
| Commercial electrical | Commercial electrical PDF |
| Commercial mechanical | Commercial mechanical PDF |
| Commercial plumbing | Commercial plumbing PDF |
| Permit extension | Extension request PDF |
| Other forms | Homeowner, agricultural, Springdale Township and soil erosion forms |
These documents are linked by the county department. If a direct PDF URL changes, use the official forms list on the department page.
How to Schedule Building Inspections
Inspection request line: 231-882-9674
Request cutoff: 3:30 p.m. for scheduling on the next available inspection date.
Service: The county provides a 24-hour inspection request line. Calling by the cutoff does not guarantee a particular inspection date.
Inspection Days by Trade
| Inspection Type | Published Days |
|---|---|
| Building | Monday–Friday |
| Electrical | Monday, Wednesday and Friday |
| Plumbing | Monday–Thursday |
| Mechanical | Monday–Thursday |
When requesting an inspection, have your permit number, project address, inspection type and callback number ready. Explain which portion of the work is ready for review.
Depending on the project and applicable code, inspections may cover footings, foundations, framing, rough-in electrical/plumbing/mechanical systems, insulation and final completion. Follow the approved permit’s actual inspection requirements.
Benzie County Building Permit Fees for 2026
Benzie County lists an official 2026 fee schedule for its building and code enforcement services. The amount payable depends on the applicable permit category and the department’s fee calculation for the project.
Possible charges include permit issuance, plan review, trade permits, required inspections and other applicable services. Do not calculate a 2026 permit fee using an older application form without checking the current schedule.
Official fee schedule: Benzie County 2026 Fee Schedule (PDF)
Fee confirmation: Call 231-882-9673 or email building@benzieco.gov with the permit type, project address and proposed scope of work.
The county’s current fee-schedule link was confirmed, but its itemized PDF amounts could not be independently checked for this guide. No unverified fee figures are quoted here.
Zoning, Septic, Driveways & Soil Erosion
Building approval does not replace other local or state authorizations. Check these issues early, particularly for new homes, lakefront properties and undeveloped parcels.
1. Township, Village or City Zoning
Benzie County does not maintain a single countywide zoning ordinance for all parcels. Land-use rules are administered locally, so check the municipality responsible for your property before applying for construction approval.
Local zoning may control permitted uses, building placement, lot coverage, setbacks, height and other site restrictions. Lake Township, for example, states that land-use approval is needed for structures regardless of whether a construction-code building permit exemption applies.
Lake Township official zoning guidance
2. Well and Septic Requirements
The Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department handles on-site sewage and water-well approvals. Septic authorization can be a prerequisite to building approval for a property served by an on-site system.
For additions that increase bedrooms or wastewater flow, check whether the existing septic system needs an evaluation or upgrade.
Official well, septic and remodeling application forms
3. Soil Erosion and Shoreline Projects
Projects disturbing one acre or more, or involving earth disturbance within 500 feet of a lake or stream, generally trigger soil erosion and sedimentation-control permit review. Local rules may also regulate environmentally sensitive sites.
Properties near Lake Michigan, inland lakes, wetlands, rivers or critical dunes may need additional environmental approvals depending on location and project scope.
Michigan EGLE soil erosion requirements
4. Driveway and Road Access
Constructing or modifying a driveway connection to a county road may require a separate permit from the Benzie County Road Commission. State highway access is handled through the appropriate state authority.
Benzie County Road Commission permit applications
Michigan Building Codes Applicable in 2026
Benzie County enforces Michigan construction codes. The relevant code depends on building type and regulated work.
| Code | State-Listed Edition |
|---|---|
| Michigan Building Code | 2021 edition; effective April 9, 2025 |
| Michigan Residential Code | 2015 edition remains listed as current under the residential-code injunction |
| Michigan Rehabilitation Code | 2021 edition; effective April 9, 2025 |
| Michigan Mechanical Code | 2021 edition; effective March 12, 2024 |
| Michigan Plumbing Code | 2021 edition; effective March 12, 2024 |
| Michigan Electrical Code | 2023 NEC-based rules; effective March 12, 2024 |
| Michigan Commercial Energy Code | 2021 edition; effective April 22, 2025 |
Michigan LARA — Current Adopted Construction Codes
Common Permit Problems and What to Do
| Problem | Practical Next Step |
|---|---|
| Application delayed | Confirm that the correct application, plans, contractor details and prerequisite approvals were submitted. |
| Permit fee unclear | Request an itemized calculation using the 2026 schedule. |
| Failed inspection | Review the correction notice, fix the cited work and request reinspection. |
| Permit approaching expiration | Contact the department and ask whether an extension request is available before it expires. |
| Zoning or setback conflict | Contact the property’s local zoning administrator before revising construction plans. |
| Existing permit records needed | Request a permit-file or inspection-status search using the parcel number, address or existing permit number. |
For contractors also working in Oakland County, see our Birmingham building permit guide and Bloomfield Township building permit guide. Those local Michigan procedures are separate from Benzie County’s.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who handles building permits in Benzie County?
The Benzie County Building Safety and Code Enforcement Department handles applicable construction permits, plan reviews and inspections within Benzie County. Its published service area also includes Springdale Township in Manistee County.
2. Where is the Benzie County Building Department located?
The office is at 448 Court Place, Suite 149, Lower Level, Government Center, Beulah, MI 49617. Published office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Call 231-882-9673.
3. How do I apply for a Benzie County building permit?
Download the applicable county application, confirm local zoning and other required approvals, prepare the project documents, and submit the completed materials to building@benzieco.gov or the Beulah office. Wait for permit issuance before beginning regulated construction.
4. Can I apply for a Benzie County building permit online?
The county publishes downloadable permit forms and an application email address. Its department page does not clearly identify a public online permit-application portal. Contact the office before using a third-party or state permitting system.
5. How much does a Benzie County building permit cost in 2026?
The county publishes a 2026 fee schedule. The actual charge depends on the permit type, project details and applicable plan-review or inspection charges. Consult the current county schedule or request an itemized quote from the department.
6. How do I schedule a building inspection in Benzie County?
Call the 24-hour inspection request line at 231-882-9674. Requests must be made by 3:30 p.m. for scheduling on the next available inspection date. Have the permit number, project address and inspection type ready.
7. What days does Benzie County conduct inspections?
The county lists building inspections Monday through Friday, electrical inspections Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and plumbing and mechanical inspections Monday through Thursday. Actual availability depends on scheduling.
8. Do I need zoning approval before obtaining a building permit?
Many projects require local township, village or city land-use approval in addition to county building approval. Zoning requirements vary by location, and a building-permit exemption does not automatically eliminate zoning requirements.
9. Do lakefront construction projects need additional permits?
They may. Earth disturbance within 500 feet of a lake or stream, or projects disturbing one acre or more, generally requires soil erosion permit review. Wetlands, critical dunes, septic systems and road access may trigger additional approvals.
10. Which Michigan building codes apply in Benzie County in 2026?
The state lists the 2021 Michigan Building Code, 2015 Michigan Residential Code, 2021 Michigan Mechanical and Plumbing Codes, and 2023 NEC-based electrical rules among its current codes. Residential code updates remain subject to the applicable court order. Confirm the governing rules with Michigan LARA and the county.
Official Government Resources
- Benzie County Building Safety & Code Enforcement — contacts, applications, inspection schedules and current county fees.
- Michigan Building Permit Information — statewide building permit and documentation guidance.
- Michigan Construction Code Books — adopted code editions and effective dates.
- Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department — well, septic and environmental health forms.
- Benzie County Road Commission — driveway and right-of-way permits.
Information reviewed: October 2026. Department procedures, fees, codes and inspection availability may change. USBuilding.org is an independent informational resource and is not affiliated with Benzie County government. Official agencies make all permitting and approval decisions.