Brownstown Township Building Department 2026: Permits, Inspections & Services

Brownstown Township Building Department Contact Information

Township Hall hours are the published general business hours. A specific inspector, plan reviewer or permit counter may have different field or availability hours, so call before making a special trip.

What Work Requires a Brownstown Township Permit?

Brownstown’s 2026 public guidance separates building, zoning, electrical, plumbing and mechanical work. The correct permit depends on what you are changing, not simply the total project cost.

How to Apply for a Brownstown Township Building Permit

Brownstown uses a two-part process: first obtain the correct Township application form, then submit the completed form and supporting documents through the Brownstown BS&A portal when online submission is available for that permit type.

1. Confirm the property is in Brownstown Charter Township. If the location is near a municipal boundary, verify the permitting authority before filing.
2. Identify every permit involved. A remodel may need a building permit plus separate electrical, plumbing or mechanical permits.
3. Open the Township’s Forms & Permits page. Download the current application for your project instead of using an old saved PDF.
4. Complete the application. Enter the job address, owner information, contractor details, project description, valuation and other requested data.
5. Prepare supporting documents. Depending on the project, this may include plans, a site or plot plan, contractor credentials, property information, engineering documents or other review materials.
6. Open Brownstown’s BS&A Online portal. Choose Apply for a Permit. The Township’s portal instructs applicants to upload the completed permit PDF during the Add Attachments step.
7. Submit and monitor the application. Watch for review comments, correction requests or fees. Do not start regulated construction simply because an application has been submitted.
8. Wait for issuance. Begin permitted work only after the required permit has actually been issued and any pre-construction requirements have been satisfied.

How to Schedule a Brownstown Township Building Inspection

Inspection requests can be managed through Brownstown’s BS&A Online system. The inspection types available to you depend on the permit record and the work approved for that project.

1. Open the Brownstown Township BS&A portal.
2. Select Schedule an Inspection under Building Department services.
3. Sign in if the system requires your account to be linked to the permit.
4. Locate the permit using the available record or project information.
5. Select the inspection that corresponds to the work that is ready.
6. Choose an available date and submit the request.
7. Keep the relevant work accessible and do not cover work that still requires inspection.
8. Check the permit record afterward for the inspection result and any required corrections.

How to Search Brownstown Township Permits, Status and Inspection Records

BS&A provides public Building Department record-search tools for Brownstown Township. This is useful for checking an application, reviewing permit history or finding inspection information connected to a property.

1. Open the Brownstown BS&A homepage.
2. Choose Building Department Record Search.
3. Search using the information you have. The portal supports searches by address, name, parcel number and Building Department record number.
4. Open the matching record and confirm the property address before relying on the result.
5. Review available permit information, inspection activity, record status and outstanding charges.

Brownstown Township Permit Fees and 2026 Penalties

The total cost of a Brownstown permit depends on permit type, project scope, valuation, required reviews and inspections. Do not treat a single published charge as the complete price of your project.

Brownstown’s 2026 Building Department update published the following enforcement and inspection-related charges:

These are selected published charges, not a complete permit fee schedule. Application, plan-review, building, zoning, trade and other fees may apply. Check the current Township fee information before payment.

Important 2026 Change: HOA Approval Is No Longer Required for Township Permit Issuance

Brownstown announced an important residential permitting change in 2026: the Building Department will no longer require Homeowners Association approval as a condition of issuing a Township permit.

For example, a fence might satisfy Brownstown’s zoning rules but still violate an HOA restriction on fence material or height. The Township also warns that a permit reviewed and issued by the Building Department is not automatically refundable because an HOA later prevents the project.

• Check Township rules before applying.
• Separately review your HOA declaration, architectural standards and approval process.
• Resolve conflicts before purchasing materials or hiring labor.
• Do not assume a Township permit overrides a private covenant.

Homeowner Permits, Contractors and Registration

Hiring a Contractor

Brownstown advises residents to use a State of Michigan licensed contractor when licensing is required for the trade. The Township also recommends having the contractor obtain the permit for the work the contractor is performing.

If a homeowner signs a homeowner affidavit and pulls the permit personally, the homeowner takes responsibility associated with that permit and the work covered by it.

Electrical Permits for Homeowners

Brownstown’s published guidance says electrical permits may be issued to licensed electrical contractors and to homeowners performing qualifying work on a dwelling in which they reside or intend to reside. The Township states that homeowner electrical permits are not issued to owners for rental properties.

Local Contractor Registration

Brownstown maintains a contractor registration process. The Township’s currently hosted registration form states that local registration expires annually and requests contractor/license information and insurance documentation. Because registration forms and insurance requirements can change, use the current form posted by the Township when registering.

Brownstown Township Building Codes in 2026

Brownstown construction is subject to Michigan construction codes together with applicable Township zoning and local requirements. Michigan’s code editions are especially important in 2026 because residential and non-residential code cycles are not identical.

Zoning, Site Plans and Larger Development Projects

A building permit is only one part of the approval path when a project requires zoning or site-plan review. Brownstown’s zoning ordinance states that when site-plan or sketch-plan approval is required, the building permit cannot be issued until the required review is completed and applicable review, inspection and permit fees are paid.

The Township uses different review levels depending on the project. Larger development projects may require Planning Commission review, while some smaller projects can receive administrative review through Community Services.

Site Plan Submittal Items

Brownstown’s published Site Plan Review Application identifies items such as:

• Completed application and required fee.
• Project, parcel, zoning, acreage and proposed-use information.
• Site-plan drawings prepared at the required scale.
• Five folded hard copies plus one digital PDF under the published application instructions.
• Completed Site Plan Review Checklist.
• Current proof of ownership.
• If the applicant is not the owner, documentation of the applicant’s interest and a notarized owner-authorization letter.

For commercial, industrial, subdivision or utility work, additional engineering, fire, county or state approvals may also apply. Confirm the project-specific review path before preparing a full plan set.

Before You Submit: Brownstown Permit Checklist

• Confirm the property is actually within Brownstown Charter Township jurisdiction.
• Determine whether you need building, zoning, electrical, plumbing or mechanical permits.
• Download the newest Township form instead of reusing an older copy.
• Prepare required drawings, property information and contractor credentials.
• Check HOA rules separately even though HOA approval is no longer required for Township permit issuance.
• Submit the application through the correct Brownstown process.
• Wait for permit issuance before beginning regulated work.
• Schedule every required inspection and obtain final approval.
• Keep your permit number for future property, sale or renovation records.

Related USBuilding.org Permit Guides

Official Brownstown and Michigan Resources

• Brownstown Community Services / Building Department
• Brownstown Forms & Permits
• Brownstown BS&A Online Portal
• Brownstown Today Magazine Archive
• Brownstown Zoning Ordinance — Site Plan Review
• Michigan Bureau of Construction Codes — Current Codes
• Michigan Building Permit Information

Information reviewed for 2026. Permit forms, fees, staff, inspection procedures and code editions can change. Use the official links above for the final application, payment or project-specific determination.

Brownstown Township Building Department FAQs

Get the Permit Right Before Work Starts

For most Brownstown projects, the fastest path is to confirm jurisdiction, identify every required permit, download the current Township form, submit through BS&A and track the permit through final inspection. For a project-specific decision, use the Building Department as the final authority before construction begins.