The Bloomfield Hills Building Department handles building permits, construction plan reviews, trade inspections and code enforcement for properties within the City of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Homeowners and contractors can apply through the city’s BS&A Online service or use official permit forms, and schedule inspections before required construction stages are covered.
Quick answer: For building permit questions, call 248-644-1520. To apply online or search permits, use the official Bloomfield Hills BS&A portal. Inspection requests must reach the department by 4 p.m. on the preceding business day.
Bloomfield Hills Building Department: Contact Information
These are the published Building Department hours. General City Hall counter hours may differ. Confirm holiday hours or staff availability before visiting.
Check your jurisdiction: The City of Bloomfield Hills and Bloomfield Township are separate governments. Some properties with a Bloomfield Hills mailing address may fall outside city limits. Verify the municipality responsible for your property before submitting an application or paying a fee.
Which Projects Need a Building Permit?
Bloomfield Hills requires permits for many construction, repair, alteration and site-improvement projects. The correct permit depends on the work, property zoning and applicable Michigan construction codes.
| Project | Typical Permit or Review |
|---|---|
| New homes and commercial buildings | Building permit, plan review and applicable site approvals |
| Home additions and major renovations | Building permit and potentially separate trade permits |
| New or replacement decks | Deck permit and applicable construction drawings |
| Fences, gates, walls and accessory structures | Building/zoning review and relevant project permit |
| Roof tear-offs, siding, windows and exterior doors | Relevant building permit |
| Swimming pools and sports courts | Building permit, site review and applicable trade permits |
| Generators and air-conditioning equipment | Mechanical/electrical permits; building review when required |
| Electrical, plumbing or HVAC installations | Separate electrical, plumbing or mechanical permits |
| Demolition | Demolition permit and applicable utility/site requirements |
| Tree removal and significant grading | Tree, grading or soil-erosion authorization when applicable |
For example, a replacement deck needs its own permit application, while installing a generator can involve a building permit plus electrical or mechanical permits. The city also lists permits for basement waterproofing, signs, retaining walls and related site improvements.
Before starting: Call 248-530-1408 to confirm whether your exact work requires a permit. Do not assume a small project is exempt because another Michigan city allows it.
View official permit types and downloadable applications.
How to Apply for a Bloomfield Hills Building Permit
The city provides project-specific application forms and uses BS&A Online for electronic permitting services. Some applications require supporting documents to be submitted directly to the Building Department by email.
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Confirm the property and permit type.
Verify that the project address lies within Bloomfield Hills city limits. Check the proposed work against the city’s Permits & Forms page and confirm any zoning, grading or Planning Commission review requirements.
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Download the correct application and checklist.
Choose the form matching your project, such as residential addition, deck, roofing, renovation, generator, fence or new construction. Download the corresponding project checklist if one is required.
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Prepare your application documents.
Include the property address, project description, owner and contractor information, estimated construction valuation, required signatures and plans. Licensed contractors should prepare their license details and identification. Larger projects may require sealed drawings, site plans, grading information and other approvals.
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Open the official online permit portal.
Visit BS&A Online — Bloomfield Hills City. Confirm the municipality is listed as Bloomfield Hills City, Oakland County, MI. Sign in or register if prompted, then choose Apply for a Permit and follow the available application screens.
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Send the required supporting materials.
Follow the instructions on your project-specific city form. When electronic plans or application documents are required by email, send them to building@bloomfieldhillsmi.net. If the online process does not offer your permit category, ask building staff how to submit it.
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Complete payment and wait for approval.
Pay the applicable application and review charges using the method authorized by the city. Respond to any plan-review corrections. Do not begin permit-required construction until the permit is issued. After approval, keep the permit posted and approved plans available at the job site.
Important for new-home applications: The city’s residential new-construction materials identify additional requirements including a construction schedule, grading checklist, soil-erosion application, escrow acknowledgment, contractor documents, and electronic building, grading and site plans. Plans for a primary structure with at least 3,500 square feet of usable area require professional certification under the city’s published checklist. Verify current requirements before submitting.
Residential new-construction application (PDF) · Plan-review checklist (PDF)
How Long Does Permit Approval Take?
In its published guidance, Bloomfield Hills advises allowing up to 10 business days for an initial building-plan review. Requested revisions can extend the process. Commercial alterations may require approximately two additional weeks for trade and Fire Marshal reviews, while new commercial construction may take considerably longer.
These are planning guidelines, not guaranteed issuance dates. Incomplete documents, zoning concerns, complex plans and additional approvals can delay a permit.
Schedule a Building Inspection in Bloomfield Hills
Inspections verify that construction meets applicable codes and approved plans. The permit holder must arrange the appropriate inspections before advancing beyond the required construction stages.
Inspection request deadline: Submit your request by 4:00 p.m. on the preceding business day.
Phone: 248-644-1520
Email: building@bloomfieldhillsmi.net
Online: BS&A Inspection Scheduling
Inspection Booking Steps
- Locate your issued permit number and property address.
- Identify the inspection required, such as footing, rough electrical, rough plumbing, insulation or final building.
- Open the city BS&A portal and select Schedule an Inspection, or contact the department by email or telephone.
- Provide your requested date, inspection type, address, permit number, contact name and telephone number.
- Include any gate code, lockbox information or special access instructions.
- Ensure the work and approved plans are ready before the inspector arrives.
For an approximate building inspection arrival window, permit holders may call between 9:00 and 9:30 a.m. on the inspection day. The city may provide an estimated two-hour window, but it does not guarantee a specific appointment time.
The BS&A scheduling notice also identifies restrictions affecting Monday and Friday plumbing and mechanical inspections. Review the current scheduling notice before choosing a date.
Common Required Inspections
| Inspection Stage | What to Prepare |
|---|---|
| Footing / Foundation | Excavation, reinforcement and foundation work before covering or pouring at the applicable stage |
| Rough Electrical | Wiring and electrical installations before concealment |
| Rough Plumbing | Piping and required tests before concealment |
| Rough Mechanical | Ductwork and mechanical equipment at the required rough stage |
| Rough Building | Framing and other building elements after required trade approvals |
| Insulation / Drywall | Required insulation and fastener inspections before subsequent work |
| Final Trade Inspections | Completed electrical, plumbing and mechanical work |
| Final Building | Completed project after required trade approvals; final grading where applicable |
The exact sequence depends on the project. Bloomfield Hills specifically requires relevant trade approvals before rough building and final building inspections.
See the complete official inspection requirements.
Avoid a $100 reinspection fee: The city states that work not ready or incomplete at inspection can result in an unapproved inspection and a $100 fee. Cancellations must be made before 8:30 a.m. on the inspection date to avoid the published cancellation-related reinspection charge. Outstanding reinspection fees must be paid before rescheduling.
Bloomfield Hills Building Permit Fees
Permit costs depend on project type, construction valuation, plan review, required inspections and any applicable planning, engineering or bond requirements.
The following are selected amounts from the city’s published fee schedule, not a guaranteed final quote for a 2026 application.
| Fee Category | Published Amount |
|---|---|
| Building application fee | $100 |
| Residential alterations plan review | $200 |
| Residential deck plan review | $300 |
| Residential deck permit | $400 |
| Residential fence permit | $200 |
| Residential roofing, windows or siding permit | $200 for two inspections; additional inspections may cost extra |
| Building reinspection | $100 |
How to calculate your likely cost: Identify your permit category, then account for the application fee, plan-review fee, permit fee, separate trade permits and any site-related fees or deposits. For new construction and certain alterations, valuation-based calculations may apply.
Contractors should also confirm their registration fee: the city’s contractor-information page lists an annual $25 charge, while the downloadable fee schedule contains a different amount. Contact the Building Department before paying.
View the official Building Department Fee Schedule (PDF).
Building Codes and Zoning Requirements for 2026
Bloomfield Hills enforces Michigan construction codes alongside city zoning, site-development and property-maintenance requirements. Its currently published code list includes:
| Code Category | Published Edition |
|---|---|
| Michigan Residential Code | 2015 |
| Michigan Building Code | 2021 |
| Michigan Rehabilitation Code | 2021 |
| Michigan Mechanical Code | 2021 |
| Michigan Plumbing Code | 2021 |
| National Electrical Code | 2023 NEC |
| Michigan Commercial Energy Code | 2021 |
| International Property Maintenance Code | 2021 |
| International Fire Code | 2021 |
| Accessibility Reference | ICC A117.1-2017 |
Why is the residential code still 2015? Michigan LARA identifies the 2015 Michigan Residential Code as current while a court order prevents implementation of the planned 2021 residential and residential energy-code updates. That legal situation may change, so verify the applicable edition for your permit date.
City adopted building codes · Michigan LARA current code editions
Check Zoning Before Designing
The Bloomfield Hills Zoning Ordinance regulates matters such as building height, setbacks, lot coverage, permitted land uses and the location of accessory structures. New homes, additions, fences, pools, generators and other improvements can require site-specific review.
A zoning variance, when needed, requires a separate approval process through the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals. Obtaining a building permit does not automatically remove zoning restrictions.
Review Bloomfield Hills zoning guidance.
Construction Rules and Final Approvals
Permitted Construction Working Hours
Bloomfield Hills publishes the following construction working-hour restrictions:
- Monday–Friday: 7:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
- Saturday: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
- Sunday and legal holidays: Construction work is not permitted under the city’s published contractor guidance.
Required working-hours signs must be posted at the construction site. Permit holders must also maintain site safety, protect public property, control debris and comply with erosion-control requirements.
Certificate of Occupancy
For a project requiring a Certificate of Occupancy, all applicable inspections must be approved before occupancy. Bloomfield Hills requires a separate certificate application and, where applicable, approval of the as-built grading plan and resolution of outstanding engineering or planning charges.
The city states that a certificate may be obtained two business days after the last required inspection is approved, provided the application and other requirements are satisfied.
Standalone projects such as a furnace replacement, water-heater replacement or electrical-panel upgrade generally do not receive a separate Certificate of Occupancy; their required final inspection approvals remain important.
Official Certificate of Occupancy requirements.
Official Permit Forms and Government Resources
Use these direct sources rather than searching for unofficial permit documents:
- Building Department homepage — contacts and department services.
- Permits & Forms — current application categories, including residential, commercial, trade, grading and planning forms.
- Bloomfield Hills BS&A Online — applications, building records, fees and inspections.
- Inspection Scheduling — deadlines, scheduling options and reinspection rules.
- Required Inspection List — building, plumbing, electrical and mechanical stages.
- Residential Deck Permit Application (PDF) — project-specific documents and submission requirements.
- Building Fee Schedule (PDF) — itemized published permit and review charges.
- Contractor Information — registration, site rules and responsibilities.
If the property is outside the City of Bloomfield Hills, check our Bloomfield Township building permit guide or Birmingham, Michigan building permit guide as appropriate. A mailing address alone does not establish jurisdiction.
Bloomfield Hills Building Department: 10 FAQs
1. Is the Bloomfield Hills Building Department the same as Bloomfield Township?
No. This guide covers properties inside the City of Bloomfield Hills. A Bloomfield Hills mailing address alone does not prove city jurisdiction; confirm the parcel before applying.
2. Where can I apply for a Bloomfield Hills building permit?
Use the city’s BS&A Online service or download the matching form from its Permits & Forms page and email the completed materials to building@bloomfieldhillsmi.net. Ask the department which submission route fits your project.
3. Do I need a permit for a deck, fence, roof or generator?
The city lists decks, fences, roofing work and generators among projects requiring permits or review. The exact approvals depend on the project and may include separate trade or zoning requirements.
4. Can homeowners obtain their own building permits?
Yes. The city allows qualifying homeowners to apply using a Homeowner’s Affidavit, accepting responsibility for code-compliant work and required inspections. If a licensed builder performs the work, the city recommends that the builder hold the permit.
5. Are electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits included in a building permit?
No. Electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits must be obtained separately when required. Their inspections must also be completed at the appropriate stages of construction.
6. How long does the Bloomfield Hills permit review take?
The city advises allowing up to 10 business days for initial building-plan review. Commercial alterations can require additional review time, and revisions or complex projects may take longer.
7. How do I schedule a building inspection?
Request an inspection through Bloomfield Hills BS&A Online, email building@bloomfieldhillsmi.net or call 248-644-1520. Requests must be made by 4 p.m. on the preceding business day.
8. What happens if an inspection fails or the work is not ready?
The city may deny approval and assess a $100 reinspection fee. Correct the deficiencies and pay outstanding reinspection charges before arranging another inspection.
9. How much does a building permit cost in Bloomfield Hills?
Costs depend on the project and may include application, plan-review, permit, trade and site-related charges. The city’s published schedule lists a $100 building application fee, but the final amount must be confirmed for the specific project.
10. When is a Certificate of Occupancy required?
For projects requiring occupancy approval, submit the city’s Certificate of Occupancy application after required inspections pass. The city says issuance may occur two business days after the final required approval, provided outstanding conditions are met; standalone trade work generally does not receive one.
Before submitting your application: Confirm the correct municipality, obtain the current form, check zoning and code requirements, and ask the Building Department to verify your fees and review requirements. For direct assistance, call 248-644-1520 or visit the official department website.
Information reviewed: October 9, 2026. This is an independent informational guide, not an official City of Bloomfield Hills government website. Official procedures, regulations, staff details and fees may change.