Detroit Building Permits, Inspections & BSEED Services
Detroit Building Department Contact Information
The department most people mean when they search for the “Detroit Building Department” is BSEED. Different BSEED divisions handle permits, plan review, zoning, trade inspections, property maintenance and other services, so using the right contact can save a trip or a transfer.
| Need | Detroit contact / service |
|---|---|
| Department | Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department (BSEED) |
| Municipal center | Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, 2 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226 |
| Permit application help | 313-224-3179 |
| Construction inspections | 313-224-3202 |
| Construction Inspection office | Suite 408, Coleman A. Young Municipal Center |
| Construction Inspection published hours | Monday–Thursday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. |
| Online permit system | Detroit eLAPS / Accela |
| Main BSEED page | Official BSEED website |
Do You Need a Detroit Building Permit?
A permit is not simply paperwork after construction is finished. For permit-required work, Detroit expects the permit to be obtained before the work begins. BSEED states that construction work requiring a permit cannot legally be started first and permitted later.
Building permits commonly apply to residential construction, commercial construction, additions, structural alterations and other regulated building work. Separate permits may also be required for electrical, plumbing, mechanical, boiler, elevator, sign or demolition work.
| If your project involves… | Start by checking… |
|---|---|
| New house, addition or structural renovation | Residential building permit, zoning and applicable trade permits |
| Commercial construction or tenant build-out | Commercial building permit, plan review, zoning/use and trade permits |
| Electrical wiring, service or equipment | Electrical permit |
| Furnace, HVAC, ventilation or mechanical work | Mechanical permit |
| Water, drainage, fixtures or regulated plumbing work | Plumbing permit |
| Signs or awnings | Sign/awning requirements and applicable zoning review |
| Change in commercial use or occupancy | Zoning, building permit and Certificate of Occupancy requirements |
| Work in the public right-of-way | Department of Public Works requirements in addition to BSEED |
| Water or sewer connection work | Detroit Water and Sewerage Department requirements |
Do not rely only on the project name. A “kitchen remodel,” for example, could involve only finishes or could involve structural framing, electrical circuits, plumbing and mechanical work. The actual scope controls which permits and inspections are needed.
Which Detroit Permit or Service Do You Need?
Residential building permit
Detroit uses its residential building permit process for qualifying one- and two-family residential construction. The City’s current permit guidance says a homeowner applying for their own residential building permit does not need a contractor license. If a contractor performs the work, the contractor must meet applicable Michigan builder licensing and City registration requirements.
Commercial building permit
Commercial construction normally requires building plan review. Detroit’s commercial permit guidance says architectural plans must be sealed by a State-registered architect or engineer. Electrical, plumbing, mechanical and other regulated trades can have their own licensing and permit requirements even when the general building-permit page does not require a general contractor license.
Trade permits
BSEED separately administers electrical, plumbing, mechanical, boiler, elevator and other trade permits. Do not assume the building permit automatically authorizes every trade included in a remodel.
Sign permits
Signs can require a separate permit, zoning review and a properly licensed Detroit sign professional depending on the work. Start with the City’s building-permit guidance rather than attaching or replacing a sign first.
Demolition, awnings and temporary uses
The BSEED Plan Review Division also reviews permit applications involving demolition, signs, awnings and temporary uses. These projects may involve additional documents or approvals beyond a standard residential permit.
How to Apply for a Detroit Building Permit Online
Detroit uses two connected systems during many applications: eLAPS/Accela for the permit record and ePlans/ProjectDox when drawings or other plan-review documents must be uploaded.
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Confirm the property and scope.
Write down the exact address and every part of the proposed work. Include structural, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, sign and change-of-use work rather than describing the job only as “renovation.” -
Check zoning and project requirements first.
Open the Detroit Development Resource Center. Review whether your proposed use or construction is allowed and whether zoning/site-plan review is required. -
Create your eLAPS/Accela account.
Open the official Detroit permit portal. Choose the account registration option if you are a first-time user. -
Choose the correct permit record.
From the permit area, select the application that matches your work. Contractors should connect their applicable license information to the account when required. -
Complete the application carefully.
Enter the project address, applicant/owner information, scope, estimated construction information and other requested details. The description should agree with the drawings you will upload. -
Upload plans when plan review is required.
After creating the permit application, access ePlans/ProjectDox through the process and upload the required drawings and documents. Detroit provides an official ePlans guide. -
Watch for corrections.
BSEED reviewers may request revised drawings or missing information. Check both your email and permit account instead of assuming silence means approval. -
Pay required fees and download the issued permit.
When approved and required fees are satisfied, obtain the permit through eLAPS. An application number is not permission to start construction. -
Post the permit and begin approved work.
Detroit’s guidance tells applicants to post issued permits on the exterior of the property during construction. -
Request required inspections before work is covered.
Complete rough, final and other required inspections for the disciplines involved, then obtain the final certificate applicable to your project.
What Should You Prepare Before Applying?
The exact documents depend on the permit. Preparing them before opening the application makes the online process much easier.
- Correct Detroit property address and parcel/property information.
- Owner and applicant contact information.
- Clear description of the complete scope of work.
- Construction plans and specifications when required.
- Site information when zoning, setbacks or site-plan review applies.
- Architect/engineer-sealed plans when required for commercial work.
- Applicable contractor license and Detroit registration information.
- Estimated project/construction cost.
- Separate information for electrical, mechanical and plumbing work.
- Responses to any zoning, historic-district, Fire Marshal, Health, DWSD or other agency requirement affecting the project.
Detroit Building Permit Fees in 2026
Detroit does not use one flat price for every project. Building/residential permit fees are generally tied to project cost, and trade permits, plan review, zoning or other services can create additional charges.
The BSEED construction fee schedule currently linked by the City is marked effective January 1, 2024 and modified July 18, 2025. Because Detroit can update its fee documents, use these figures as the current published schedule reference and confirm your actual eLAPS invoice before paying.
| Published building/residential project-cost band | Current published calculation |
|---|---|
| $2,000 or less | $271.43 flat |
| Over $2,000 through $25,000 | $271.43 for first $2,000 + $34.09 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| Over $25,000 through $100,000 | $1,055.57 for first $25,000 + $24.53 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
The same published schedule lists separate plan-review charges when applicable, including a building/structural/zoning plan-review deposit calculated as a percentage of the building permit fee and separate electrical, mechanical and plumbing plan-review percentages.
Fees that can surprise applicants
The official schedule also lists charges connected with reinspections and unpermitted work. The currently posted document lists a $176 reinspection fee when access cannot be obtained or work is not ready. It also lists failure-to-obtain-permit charges of $176 per occurrence for homeowners and $351 per occurrence for contractors.
How to Schedule a Detroit Building Inspection
An issued permit does not close itself. Detroit requires the permitted work to be inspected at the applicable stages. Depending on the job, this can include building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, boiler or elevator inspections.
- Make sure the permit has been issued. You cannot schedule meaningful final inspections against an application that has not become an active permit.
- Complete only the work needed for the inspection stage. Do not cover framing, wiring, piping or other work that must be viewed before concealment.
- Log in to eLAPS. Open Detroit’s Accela portal and locate the permit record associated with your account.
- Open the inspection option. Select the appropriate available inspection for the permit and follow the scheduling prompts.
- If online scheduling is unavailable, call Construction Inspection. The City’s current Construction Inspection page lists 313-224-3202 for general customer service and inspection assistance.
- Have the site ready. Provide access, keep required work visible, have approved plans available when needed and address previous correction items.
- Check the result. If corrections are required, complete them before requesting the follow-up inspection.
Certificate of Acceptance vs. Certificate of Occupancy
Passing the final inspection is important, but some projects also need a final certificate. Detroit uses different certificates depending on what was built or changed.
| Document | When it generally applies | What happens first |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Acceptance (C of A) | Permitted alteration or other completed work that has been inspected and approved | Required final inspection(s) must pass and the work is approved by the applicable trade supervisor |
| Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) | New construction, major renovation, change of use or establishment of a new use such as certain tenant build-outs | Required disciplines must be approved and the C of O application process completed |
Detroit Certificate of Occupancy micro-steps
- Finish the permitted work.
- Make sure required building and trade inspections are approved.
- Complete the Certificate of Occupancy application.
- Complete the required DAH blight-clearance step when applicable.
- Submit the request to Construction Inspection using the City’s current instructions.
- Keep all project permit numbers together because the request should identify applicable permits.
- Confirm addresses and suite/floor information match across the permit records.
The current Construction Inspection page states a customer turnaround time of about 72 hours for a Certificate of Occupancy after the required steps are complete, and it also lists about 72 hours for a Certificate of Acceptance after approval.
Detroit Building Codes, Zoning & Other Reviews
BSEED’s current construction FAQ identifies the following core code framework for building work:
- 2021 Michigan Building Code
- 2015 Michigan Residential Code
- 2021 Michigan Rehabilitation Code for Existing Buildings
- 2019 City of Detroit Code
Plan review can also involve the Michigan electrical, mechanical and plumbing codes, Detroit zoning requirements, fuel-gas rules, elevator requirements, boiler requirements and other codes applicable to the work.
Why zoning should be checked before permit plans
A technically buildable structure can still have a zoning problem. Property use, setbacks, parking, signs, additions, commercial activity, site-plan review and changes of use can all trigger zoning questions.
For complicated projects, Detroit’s Development Resource Center provides project assistance, zoning guidance, Preliminary Plan Review and Pre-Plan Consultation options. Using those services early can be much easier than redesigning plans after a formal submission.
Can a Detroit Homeowner Pull Their Own Permit?
For residential work, Detroit allows an owner who will occupy the dwelling to perform qualifying construction without hiring a licensed residential builder. If a contractor is used, the contractor must satisfy the applicable State of Michigan licensing and City registration requirements.
Detroit’s current Construction FAQ also says homeowners can obtain their own electrical, mechanical and plumbing trade permits when they provide the required documentation. This includes property/location information, owner contact information and proof of ownership.
That homeowner option does not mean every property or every project can be owner-permitted. BSEED states that a contractor is needed for trade permits involving commercial property and multifamily dwellings described by the City as two-family dwellings and up.
How to Search a Detroit Building Permit or Check Status
You do not need to call BSEED first just to see whether a current record is visible online. Detroit’s eLAPS portal includes property and permit-search functions.
- Open Detroit eLAPS / Accela.
- Choose Permits or the appropriate property-search option.
- Select the permit-record search function.
- Enter the permit number when you have it; this is usually more precise than a broad address search.
- If searching by property, enter the address carefully and review matching records.
- Open the relevant record to review the status and available details.
- If you are the applicant, sign in to your account to see application tasks, corrections, fees and inspection options associated with your record.
The portal also provides access to functions for fee estimates, inspection scheduling, planning records, licenses, code-enforcement records and complaints.
Common Reasons a Detroit Permit Gets Delayed
- The scope written on the application does not match the drawings.
- Required plans or supporting documents were not uploaded.
- Plan-review corrections were sent but not answered.
- The project has a zoning, use or site-plan issue.
- Separate electrical, plumbing or mechanical permits were overlooked.
- A contractor’s required license or City registration is not connected correctly.
- The property requires another City review or agency approval.
- Required fees remain unpaid.
- Work was changed in the field without updating the approved scope.
- An inspection is requested after required work has already been covered.
For a complicated rehabilitation, commercial project or change of use, contacting the Development Resource Center before filing can be more useful than guessing which application to submit.
Make Sure Detroit Is Actually Your Permitting Authority
This guide applies to properties inside the City of Detroit. A Detroit-area mailing address, contractor or ZIP code does not automatically mean Detroit BSEED controls the permit.
If your property is in another Wayne County municipality, use that city’s own building department. Nearby guides already available on USBuilding.org include the Dearborn Heights Building Department, Allen Park Building Department and Brownstown Building Department.
Confirm the municipality before submitting fees. Building permits are local, and neighboring cities can use completely different application systems, fee schedules and inspection procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Detroit Building Department called?
The City department responsible for building permits, inspections, zoning-related services and construction code compliance is the Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department, commonly called BSEED.
2. How do I apply for a Detroit building permit online?
Open Detroit’s eLAPS/Accela portal, create an account, choose the correct permit application, complete the project information and submit it. If plan review is required, upload the requested drawings and documents through the ePlans/ProjectDox process.
3. What is the Detroit permit portal?
Detroit uses the eLAPS system powered by Accela for permit applications, permit searches, fee-related functions and inspection scheduling. The official portal is at aca-prod.accela.com/DETROIT/.
4. How long does a Detroit building permit take?
The City’s current building-permit page lists an estimated five days for a residential building permit and about 20 days for a commercial building permit. Actual review time can be longer when plans are incomplete, corrections are required or another City review is involved.
5. How do I schedule a Detroit building inspection?
Use the inspection function associated with your permit in Detroit eLAPS/Accela. For Construction Inspection assistance, the City currently lists 313-224-3202.
6. Can a homeowner pull their own building permit in Detroit?
Yes, Detroit allows qualifying owner-occupants to obtain residential permits for their own property. Homeowners can also obtain electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits with the required documentation in situations allowed by BSEED. Commercial and certain multifamily work requires appropriately qualified contractors.
7. Can I start construction while my Detroit permit is still under review?
No. Submitting an application does not authorize construction. Detroit states that permit-required construction must have the required permit before work begins.
8. How much is a Detroit building permit?
The amount depends on the project value and the permits or reviews required. The currently linked BSEED schedule lists a $271.43 building/residential permit fee for projects valued at $2,000 or less, with formulas for higher project values. Trade and plan-review fees may be additional.
9. What is the difference between a Certificate of Acceptance and Certificate of Occupancy in Detroit?
A Certificate of Acceptance generally confirms that permitted alteration or trade work passed the required final inspection. A Certificate of Occupancy applies to situations such as new construction, major renovations, change of use or establishment of a new use where occupancy approval is required.
10. Where is the Detroit Building Department located?
BSEED services are based at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, 2 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, Michigan 48226. The Construction Inspection Division lists Suite 408 for its in-person services.
Before You Submit or Start Work
For most Detroit projects, the safest sequence is simple: confirm that the property is inside Detroit, check zoning and permit requirements, gather complete plans, submit through eLAPS, respond to review comments, wait for the permit to be issued, keep the approved scope at the job site, schedule inspections at the correct stages and obtain the required final certificate.
For live application status, final fee totals and project-specific approvals, use the official Detroit permit portal or the City of Detroit BSEED website.
Permit procedures, fees, staff contacts and code requirements can change. This guide reflects official City of Detroit information available for 2026; verify the live permit record before starting regulated work.