Bloomfield Twp Building Department 2026: Permits, Inspections & Services

Bloomfield Township Building Permits and Inspections

The Bloomfield Twp Building Department, officially the Building Division of Bloomfield Township in Oakland County, Michigan, handles residential and commercial building permits, construction plan reviews, inspections, and building-code compliance.

To apply for a permit, use the Township’s official permit instructions and application forms. To schedule an inspection, sign in to BS&A Online with an account linked to your permit. For assistance, call 248-433-7715.

Building Division Address, Phone and Hours

The department is located on the lower level of Bloomfield Township Hall. If you plan to visit, confirm office availability and bring your project address, application documents, and any existing permit number.

What Projects Need Building Permits?

Bloomfield Township requires permits for many construction, renovation, demolition, and installation projects. Depending on the work, building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, zoning, or other approvals may apply.

Common exception: The Township states that walkways and patios built on grade do not require a building permit. However, other zoning, drainage, association or site requirements may still apply.

For a shed, fence, pool, generator or accessory structure, confirm the exact permit requirements before purchasing materials or hiring a contractor.

How to Apply for a Bloomfield Township Building Permit

Applications are accepted in person or by mail. Online applications are also available for eligible minor residential projects and certain trade permits.

Step 1: Download the Correct Application

Open the official Building Division forms page and locate the project-specific application or complete permit packet.

Available categories include:

• Residential new construction
• Residential additions and alterations
• Residential and commercial demolition
• Commercial construction and alterations
• Decks and driveways
• Electrical, mechanical and plumbing work
• Generator installations
• Fences and ordinance-regulated structures
• Soil filling, removal and other site work

Choose the complete packet when one exists. It may contain required drawings, inspection lists, fee schedules and additional application forms.

Step 2: Prepare the Required Documents

The exact checklist depends on your project. Common requirements include:

• Completed permit application
• Property address and relevant parcel details
• Owner and contractor contact information
• Clear description of the proposed work
• Site plan or surveyed plot plan
• Foundation plans, floor plans and elevations when applicable
• Construction details and material specifications
• Contractor license information when applicable
• Subdivision or homeowners association comments when required
• Additional zoning or agency approvals where necessary

The Township’s published paper-submission guidance calls for three plan sets for residential projects and five for commercial projects. Confirm whether electronic submission is accepted for your particular application before printing multiple sets.

Residential plans involving 3,500 square feet or more of livable space may require a Michigan-licensed architect’s or engineer’s signature and seal under the Township’s stated requirements. Commercial building plans generally require professional signing and sealing.

Step 3: Check Zoning and Other Approvals

Before submitting, confirm building setbacks, lot coverage, property restrictions and whether the proposed structure is permitted at your location.

Projects may also require approval relating to soil erosion, septic systems, wells, driveway culverts, drainage or other site conditions. Bloomfield Township identifies Oakland County agencies as potential reviewing authorities for some of these matters.

For zoning questions, contact the Planning Division at 248-433-7795.

Step 4: Submit Your Application

In person or by mail: Send the completed application, required plans and application payment to:

Bloomfield Township Hall
Building Division
4200 Telegraph Road
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303-0489

Checks must be payable to Bloomfield Township. The Township also identifies money orders and available online payment options.

Online: Certain minor residential projects and electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits may be submitted through BS&A Online.

Step 5: Pay the Fees and Complete Plan Review

Application fees are due with submission. Missing payment can cause an application to be considered incomplete.

The Building Division reviews the documents and may request missing information, revised drawings or other approvals.

Do not begin permit-required construction before the permit is issued.

How to Use the Online Permit Portal

For an eligible online application, follow these steps:

1. Open BS&A: Visit Bloomfield Township’s BS&A portal.
2. Confirm your municipality: Make sure it shows Bloomfield Township in Oakland County, Michigan.
3. Sign in: Create an account if necessary, or sign in with your existing credentials.
4. Select the service: Open the available Building Department service or permit application option for your project.
5. Complete the application: Provide the property, applicant, contractor and proposed-work information requested.
6. Attach documents: Upload required drawings, site plans or supporting documents.
7. Submit: Review the information, complete the submission and retain your confirmation.

For qualifying minor residential online projects, the Township requires proposed plans. Exterior changes also require a site plan, plus association comments where applicable. Drawings must remain readable when printed on 11-by-17-inch paper.

The Township’s official forms page also provides a contractor guide explaining the BS&A application process.

Bloomfield Township Building Permit Fees

Permit fees vary according to construction type, project size, plan review, trade work and additional agency approvals.

The figures below are published Township reference amounts. Building permit charges appear in a schedule effective July 1, 2021; they have not been independently confirmed as unchanged for every application in 2026. Obtain a current fee calculation before payment.

Other charges may include electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits, Fire Department reviews, site grading, revisions or outside consultant reviews.

For trade permits, published schedules also identify application fees, base fees and individual inspection or equipment charges. These amounts are separate from the main building permit fee where applicable.

Official fee references: Plan Review Fees and Building Division Fee Schedules.

How to Confirm Your Total Permit Cost

1. Identify the property address and exact project type.
2. Determine the proposed construction square footage, where relevant.
3. Identify separate electrical, plumbing or mechanical work.
4. Contact 248-433-7715 and request the current fee calculation.
5. Ask whether additional plan-review, zoning, engineering or inspection charges apply.

For online Township payments, a valid receipt number may be required before paying. Obtain that number from the Building Division rather than submitting a payment without an associated application.

How Long Does Building Permit Approval Take?

Bloomfield Township’s official permit page reports that plan review is taking approximately 10 business days. Its published guidance also recommends allowing up to two weeks for typical building plan review.

Commercial projects may require approximately two additional weeks because relevant trades and the Fire Marshal may also review the plans.

These are estimates, not guaranteed issuance dates. Incomplete applications, corrections, zoning issues or additional agency approvals can increase processing time.

Bloomfield Township Building Inspections

Inspections are required for permitted work. The Township uses BS&A Online for inspection scheduling, and your account must be linked to the relevant permits.

How to Schedule an Inspection

1. Open the website: Go to www.bsaonline.com.
2. Sign in or register: If you do not have an account, select the registration option. Call 248-433-7715 to request that your account be linked to your Township permits.
3. Confirm the municipality: Select Bloomfield Township, Oakland County, Michigan.
4. Open your permit activity: Select Services, then View My Building Department Activity, followed by the Permits tab.
5. Choose the permit: Locate your permit and select Schedule Inspection.
6. Complete and confirm: Follow the prompts and retain the confirmation email if one is issued.

On mobile devices, use the website menu to access Services. Turning your phone horizontally may reveal inspection options that are not visible in portrait orientation.

Official Inspection Scheduling Instructions ↗

Inspection Deadlines and Cancellations

Common Construction Inspection Stages

• Foundation: Footings and foundation work before applicable stages are concealed.
• Rough framing: Framing and related structural construction.
• Trade inspections: Electrical, plumbing and mechanical installations.
• Insulation: Applicable insulation and energy-code work.
• Final inspection: Completed construction and remaining permit requirements.

The exact inspections depend on the approved plans and permit conditions. Township construction packets require relevant trade inspections before certain rough-frame and final building inspections.

Keep approved drawings available at the job site, ensure work is ready before requesting inspection, and do not conceal work requiring approval.

Can’t Find Your Permit in BS&A?

Check these common problems before contacting the office:

• You selected Bloomfield Township in Missaukee County instead of Oakland County.
• You are signed into an account that is not linked to the permit.
• Your permit appears on a later page of the permit list.
• Your account has not been authorized for inspection scheduling.
• Mobile screen orientation is hiding available controls.

If the portal requests a PIN or displays an authorization error, call the Building Division to confirm the correct account permissions.

Michigan Building Codes Used in 2026

Bloomfield Township enforces applicable Michigan construction codes together with local zoning and ordinance requirements.

Official resources:

• Michigan LARA — Current Construction Codes
• Michigan LARA — Rulemaking and Residential Code Status
• Bloomfield Township — Building Division Forms

Final Approval and Certificate of Occupancy

Where a Certificate of Occupancy is required, completing construction or passing the final building inspection does not automatically authorize occupancy.

Before occupancy, the required building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing and other applicable inspections or approvals must be completed.

1. Finish permitted construction and correct outstanding violations.
2. Complete required trade and building inspections.
3. Resolve applicable site grading, fire or other approval conditions.
4. Submit the appropriate Certificate of Occupancy request.
5. Wait for the Township to issue the required occupancy authorization.

The Township also provides temporary occupancy procedures. A temporary occupancy request requires applicable permits to have at least partial final inspection approval without safety violations.

Commercial tenant changes may require a separate change-of-occupancy application, particularly when the use of the space changes.

Official Certificate of Occupancy Information ↗

Other Important Local Requirements

Homeowner Permits and Contractor Licensing

Bloomfield Township allows homeowners to apply for permits, subject to its requirements. The permit holder remains responsible for compliant construction, and a homeowner affidavit may be required.

When hiring a contractor, verify applicable Michigan licensing and confirm who will obtain permits and schedule inspections.

Subdivision and Zoning Rules

Township permit approval does not override subdivision deed restrictions. Where an association applies, check its requirements before finalizing your plans.

Building setbacks, lot coverage, accessory-structure placement and screening requirements may affect your project.

Utility Locating Before Excavation

Before digging, arrange underground utility locating through MISS DIG 811. Utility marking and building permits serve different purposes; one does not replace the other.

Existing Permit Records and Building Plans

Bloomfield Township states that some residential plans associated with permits issued after 1988 may be available through public-records requests.

Use the Township’s official public-records request portal to request available documents. Records may be incomplete or subject to disclosure restrictions.

For the separate City of Bloomfield Hills, use our Bloomfield Hills Building Department guide. Our Bloomfield building department directory helps distinguish similarly named jurisdictions in other states.

Frequently Asked Questions

Official Resources and Forms

Information reviewed: October 9, 2026. Government fees, procedures, code rules, office hours and online services may change. USBuilding.org is an independent informational resource and is not operated by or affiliated with Bloomfield Township. Confirm project-specific requirements with the responsible government authority.