Berkley, Michigan: Building Permits and Inspections
For construction or renovation work within Berkley, Michigan, in Oakland County, the City of Berkley’s Community Development Department handles building permits, trade permits, plan reviews and construction inspections. You can apply online through the city’s BS&A portal or submit applications directly to the department.
Quick answer
Applying for a permit? Use the City of Berkley’s official permit portal, select your permit type and submit the project information. For inspection requests, email building@berkleymi.gov by 3:00 p.m. for consideration on the following day’s inspection schedule, subject to inspector availability and inspection days.
Building Department Contact and Office Hours
Office hours are separate from field inspection hours. Published schedules may change on holidays or due to staffing. Call before visiting when a same-day service is essential.
Which Building Permits Do You Need in Berkley?
Permit requirements depend on the type of construction, the size of the project and local zoning rules. The city provides the following permitting guidance.
| Project | Berkley requirement |
|---|---|
| Home construction, additions or alterations | Building permit and applicable plan review required. |
| Electrical work | Electrical permit generally required for regulated electrical installations and alterations. |
| Heating, cooling and ventilation | Mechanical permit for regulated HVAC and mechanical work. |
| Plumbing and sewer connections | Plumbing or utility permit, depending on the work. |
| Decks and porches | Building permit required for construction. |
| Roof replacement | Permit required for stripping and reroofing; inspection requirements depend on the work. |
| Garages and sheds | Requirements depend on building area and height; see thresholds below. |
| Fences | Zoning certificate required for new fences and substantial rebuilding. |
| Driveway replacement or changes | Zoning certificate required. |
| Swimming pools | Building and electrical permits required, including for storable or inflatable pools under the city’s published guidance. |
| Solar and signs | Applicable building, electrical, zoning or sign approvals, depending on the project. |
Shed and Garage Size Rules
The city publishes particularly useful size thresholds for detached accessory buildings:
- 36 square feet or less and 6 feet high or less: No building permit or accessory-building certificate is required under the city’s published threshold.
- More than 36 and up to 200 square feet: An accessory-building certificate is generally required.
- More than 200 square feet: A building permit is required.
Height, setbacks, lot coverage and zoning restrictions can still affect whether a structure is allowed. Confirm the proposed location before buying or installing a shed.
Roof Inspection Requirements
For a complete strip-and-reroof project, Berkley lists an open-roof inspection and a final inspection. For reroof work that does not involve stripping, the city lists a final inspection. Photographs generally are not accepted as a substitute for an open-roof inspection.
How to Apply for a Berkley Building Permit
The city accepts applications online, by email, by mail, through the City Hall dropbox or in person. Online submission avoids completing a separate paper application when the selected permit is supported by the portal.
- Confirm the permit type. Identify whether your work requires a building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, utility or zoning permit. Check the city’s permit instructions.
- Open the Berkley permit portal. Visit Berkley’s BS&A Online page and choose Apply for a Permit.
- Sign in and enter project details. Register or sign in if prompted, select the applicable permit and provide the property address, applicant information, construction description and other requested details.
- Submit plans and required documents. Supply drawings, site information, contractor credentials or owner-builder documentation appropriate to the project.
- Complete review and payment. Submit the application and respond to department requests for corrections or missing information. Pay the assessed fees through an accepted city payment method.
- Obtain approval before starting regulated work. Follow the approved plans, arrange required inspections during construction and obtain final approval.
Applying Without the Online Portal
Download the appropriate application from the city’s official permit page and send the completed package by email to building@berkleymi.gov, mail it to Community Development at 3338 Coolidge Highway, or submit it at City Hall.
Depending on the applicant and project, the city may require a state license, driver’s license, liability insurance, a contractor authorization letter or a homeowner affidavit.
The city’s building permit application (PDF) specifies the following plan-submission requirements for applicable projects:
- Standard residential: One plan set in 11-by-17-inch format, with the stated minimum drawing size.
- New residential home: Two plan sets, including one 11-by-17-inch set.
- Commercial: Two plan sets, including an 11-by-17-inch set, with professional seals as required.
- Electronic plans: The form also requests PDF plans at 300 dpi or higher by email.
Check with the department about which physical and electronic plan requirements apply to your submission method. The city’s 2026 plan-review requirements (PDF) explain when plot plans, residential site plans, topographic surveys and grading plans are needed.
Berkley Building Permit Fees for 2026
The City of Berkley’s published April 29, 2026 fee schedule contains construction, trade, zoning and inspection charges. Some fees are based on construction value, while others are fixed by permit type.
| Fee category | Published amount |
|---|---|
| Building permit — first $1,000 of construction value | $50 |
| Building permit — each additional $1,000 | $20 |
| First building inspection | $50 |
| Each additional building inspection | $45 |
| Building reinspection | $35 |
| Fence permit/certificate | $60 |
| Driveway certificate (outside right-of-way) | $70 |
| Deck/porch plan review | $100 |
| Residential builder registration | $35 |
| Electrical, mechanical or plumbing permit | Itemized charges; generally subject to published minimums and applicable additional fees |
Plan review fees: The published schedule lists initial building plan review charges of $80 for projects valued up to $1,000, $100 for $1,001–$50,000, and $250 for $50,001–$175,000. Higher-value projects use a construction-value formula. Additional third-party review charges may apply.
These are individual fee components, not guaranteed total permit costs. Inspections, reviews, bonds, contractor registrations and other requirements can increase the final amount.
View the official City of Berkley fee schedule (PDF).
How to Schedule Building Inspections
Once permitted work reaches an inspection stage, request the appropriate inspection before covering or proceeding beyond work that requires review.
Inspection scheduling
Request deadline: 3:00 p.m. for the following day’s inspection schedule.
Email: building@berkleymi.gov
Phone: (248) 658-3320
The city sends a confirmation email with the scheduled day and inspection window. A requested time is not guaranteed until confirmed.
Published Inspection Windows
| Inspection | Days | Time (Eastern) |
|---|---|---|
| Building | Monday–Friday | 9:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. |
| Plumbing | Tuesday and Thursday | 8:00–11:00 a.m. |
| Electrical | Monday and Wednesday | 9:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. |
| Mechanical | Monday and Wednesday | 12:00–4:00 p.m. |
The city’s separate inspection instructions contain inconsistent weekday wording for plumbing requests. Use the published inspection windows above as a guide, but confirm your particular appointment directly with staff.
Include This Information in Your Request
- Permit number and complete project address.
- Inspection type, such as rough or final.
- Requested inspection day, if applicable.
- On-site contact person’s name and phone number.
- Lockbox or property-access instructions, if required.
Keep the approved plans available, provide access to the work and wait for confirmation. If an inspection identifies corrections, complete the required work and request another inspection before proceeding.
How to Check a Permit or Inspection Record
Residents, contractors and property buyers can use the city’s online records system to look for available building department records.
- Open City of Berkley BS&A Online.
- Select Building Department Record Search.
- Search using the address or available permit/record information.
- Open the relevant record to review information made available through the system.
- If information is missing or unclear, contact Community Development with the permit number and address.
Records available online may not contain every historical permit, drawing or inspection document. Contact the city if you need a complete official record or confirmation that a permit was closed.
Building Codes and Local Zoning Rules
Berkley enforces applicable Michigan construction codes alongside local zoning and land-use requirements. As identified by Michigan’s Bureau of Construction Codes in 2026:
- 2021 Michigan Building Code: Effective April 9, 2025, for applicable building construction.
- 2015 Michigan Residential Code: Remains the listed current residential code while implementation of newer residential rules is subject to litigation.
- 2021 Michigan Mechanical and Plumbing Codes: Listed as current for applicable work.
- 2023 National Electrical Code: Listed as current under Michigan’s applicable electrical rules.
Check Michigan’s official construction-code reference for updates. Commercial projects, new development, additions, changes of use and other work may also require zoning review, site-plan approval or additional documentation.
For example, Berkley’s June 2026 plan-review guidance identifies topographic survey triggers for certain projects adding 300 square feet or more to an existing footprint, with separate grading-plan requirements for larger residential additions. Review the project’s exact scope rather than assuming standard plans are sufficient.
Before You Submit: Practical Checklist
- Confirm the property is inside Berkley city limits.
- Check zoning, setbacks and accessory-structure limitations.
- Identify every required building and trade permit.
- Gather plans, site information and required supporting documents.
- Confirm contractor licensing and insurance or applicable homeowner eligibility.
- Review current fees and whether plan-review charges apply.
- Submit the application and wait for approval.
- Arrange required inspections before covering regulated work.
- Keep final inspection approvals and permit records for future reference.
For nearby Oakland County projects, consult our Birmingham, Michigan building permit guide and Bloomfield Hills building permit guide. Each city has its own permitting jurisdiction.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who issues building permits in Berkley, Michigan?
The City of Berkley Community Development Department handles building permits and construction inspections. Its office is at 3338 Coolidge Highway, Berkley, MI 48072. Call (248) 658-3320 for assistance.
2. Can I apply for a Berkley building permit online?
Yes. Open the City of Berkley BS&A Online portal, choose Apply for a Permit, select the appropriate permit type and provide the requested project information and documents.
3. Do I need a permit to build a shed in Berkley?
Structures over 200 square feet require a building permit. Accessory buildings over 36 and up to 200 square feet generally require a certificate. Buildings 36 square feet or smaller and no more than 6 feet high are exempt under the city’s published threshold, although zoning restrictions still apply.
4. Do decks and roof replacements require permits?
Yes. Berkley requires building permits for deck and porch construction and for regulated roof replacement. Strip-and-reroof work normally requires an open-roof inspection and a final inspection.
5. Is a permit required for a fence or driveway replacement?
Berkley requires a zoning certificate for fence construction or substantial rebuilding and for driveway replacement or changes. Additional building approvals may apply depending on the work.
6. What documents are required for a building permit?
Requirements depend on the project and application method. They may include site or construction plans, applicant identification, contractor licensing, liability insurance, authorization letters and homeowner affidavits. The city publishes separate plan requirements for residential and commercial projects.
7. How much does a Berkley building permit cost in 2026?
The city’s April 2026 schedule lists $50 for the first $1,000 of construction value and $20 for each additional $1,000. Plan reviews, inspections, registrations and other applicable charges are additional.
8. How do I schedule a building inspection in Berkley?
Email building@berkleymi.gov or call (248) 658-3320. Include the permit number, project address, inspection type and on-site contact information. Requests made by 3:00 p.m. can be considered for the following day’s schedule, subject to the applicable inspection days.
9. How can I check the status of an existing permit?
Open the Berkley BS&A Online portal, select Building Department Record Search and search using the property address or permit information. Contact Community Development if a record is missing or requires clarification.
10. Which building codes apply in Berkley in 2026?
Applicable Michigan codes include the 2021 Michigan Building Code and the currently listed 2015 Michigan Residential Code, along with relevant trade codes and local zoning rules. Confirm the latest code status with Michigan LARA and the city before beginning a project.
Official Resources and Forms
- Berkley building and trade permits — official city guidance
- City of Berkley BS&A Online — applications, records and fees
- Building Permit Application (PDF)
- Plan Requirements for Review — June 2026 (PDF)
- Berkley City Fee Schedule — April 2026 (PDF)
- Official Building Inspection Instructions
- Michigan LARA — Current Construction Codes
Information reviewed: October 9, 2026. USBuilding.org is an independent informational resource and is not affiliated with the City of Berkley. Permit requirements, fees, code editions and schedules may change. The responsible government agency makes final permitting decisions.