Farmington, Michigan Building Permits & Inspections: 2026 Guide
If you are remodeling a home, replacing major building systems, constructing an addition, opening a business, installing a fence or sign, or starting new construction inside the City of Farmington, Michigan, the City Planning and Building Department is the main local office for permits, plan review and construction inspections.
What the Farmington Building Department Handles
The City’s Planning and Building Department administers local building-code enforcement, plan review, permits and inspections. The department states that it reviews and issues building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits and performs the related inspections.
It also works with zoning compliance, signs, fences, property maintenance and other development issues. A project may therefore require more than one approval even when the work sounds like a single job.
| Your project | Possible Farmington approval | What to check first |
|---|---|---|
| New house, addition, structural remodel | Building permit and plan review | Plans, site information, zoning and contractor details |
| Electrical work | Electrical permit | Licensed contractor requirements and scope of work |
| Furnace, HVAC or other mechanical work | Mechanical permit | Equipment and contractor information |
| Plumbing installation or alteration | Plumbing permit | Fixture/system scope and licensed trade information |
| Fence | Fence/zoning-related approval | Property lines, placement and applicable zoning limits |
| Business sign | Zoning review plus building/sign permit; electrical permit if illuminated | Sign dimensions, location, installation value and illumination |
| Work in public right-of-way | Right-of-way or related permit | Location, excavation and Public Works requirements |
Start with the official Farmington Planning and Building page if you are unsure which permit applies.
Do You Need a Building Permit in Farmington?
A permit is generally required when work is regulated by the Michigan construction codes or changes a building’s structure, systems, use or occupancy. The safest approach is to identify the exact scope before buying materials or beginning demolition.
Michigan’s Bureau of Construction Codes explains that ordinary repairs can sometimes be completed without a building permit, but the exemption does not extend to work that changes structural supports, required exits, regulated wiring, plumbing, mechanical systems or other work affecting public health and safety.
The City’s permit forms page is useful because it shows the approvals Farmington currently administers, including building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, zoning, sign, fire-alarm, fire-suppression and property-maintenance forms.
How to Apply for a Farmington Building Permit
Farmington’s current instructions say applicants performing work that requires a building or trade permit should use the City’s online permit service. The portal is provided through BS&A Online.
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Confirm that the property is inside the City of Farmington.
Do not confuse Farmington with neighboring Farmington Hills. Check the municipality shown on the property record before submitting. -
Identify every permit needed for the project.
A remodel can require a building permit plus separate electrical, plumbing or mechanical permits. Work affecting placement, signs or land use may also need zoning review. -
Prepare the project information before opening the application.
Have the property address, owner information, contractor information, description of work, construction value and required plans ready. -
Open the official City of Farmington BS&A portal.
Go to City of Farmington BS&A Online. Confirm the municipality says City of Farmington | Oakland | MI. -
Select “Apply for a Permit.”
Sign in or create the account required for your applicant type. Choose the permit that matches the work and complete the requested fields. -
Upload or provide the required supporting material.
Add drawings, plans, contracts, trade information or other documents requested for your permit type. -
Wait for review and respond to corrections.
Do not treat submission as approval. If the reviewer asks for revised plans or more information, complete those items before expecting permit issuance. -
Pay the invoiced permit fees.
BS&A provides a Building Department fee-payment service. Keep your payment and permit records with the project. -
Make sure the permit is actually issued before regulated work starts.
An application number, payment or uploaded plan is not the same thing as an issued permit.
Farmington Online Permitting & Inspection Scheduling
Contractor account and registration
Contractors need a BS&A account. Farmington also states that contractors who are not registered with the City, or whose registration needs updating, should send the City’s contractor-registration form and a copy of the applicable contractor license to forms-permits-inspections@farmgov.com.
Download the official Farmington Contractor Registration form →
What to Prepare Before You Apply
The exact submission depends on the work. Farmington’s current building-permit application asks for information that is useful to prepare before starting the online process.
- Property address and unit or suite number, when applicable
- Property owner name and contact information
- Tenant information when relevant
- Contractor name, address, phone number and email
- A clear description of the proposed work
- Construction value / contract value
- Executed owner contract when applicable
- Architect or design-professional information when the project requires it
- Scaled construction plans for work that requires drawings
- Separate electrical, plumbing or mechanical information when trade permits are involved
Farmington’s application specifically notes that actual scaled plans are required when the proposed construction needs to be depicted adequately. Complex commercial work, structural alterations and larger developments may require additional professional or engineering documents.
Michigan also requires signed and sealed construction documents for many projects, subject to statutory exceptions. One- and two-family dwellings below certain state thresholds may qualify for an exception, but do not assume your project does—ask the Building Department when design-professional requirements are unclear.
Farmington Building Permit Fees in 2026
Farmington publishes a detailed Building Department and zoning fee schedule. Fees are not one flat price because they can depend on construction value, plan review, trade work, zoning review, inspections and the type of project.
| Published charge | 2026 amount / method |
|---|---|
| Building permit administrative base fee | $50 |
| Construction valued up to $1,000 | $50 building permit fee |
| Over $1,000 through $100,000 | $50 + $15 per $1,000 over the first $1,000 |
| Higher-value construction | Published schedule steps down to $10 per $1,000 and then $8 per $1,000 at higher valuation tiers |
| Residential building plan review | $50 + 0.0018 of estimated construction value; $50 minimum |
| Commercial building plan review up to $1 million | $250 + 0.0018 of estimated construction value; $250 minimum |
| Zoning compliance review | $50 |
| Certificate of Occupancy / Compliance | $50; published schedule says no charge when required in conjunction with the original building permit |
| Second/additional correction inspection | $50 |
| Public right-of-way application | $50 plus applicable plan-review charges |
| Online technology fee | $3 per applicable online transaction under the City’s March 2026 fee amendment |
For the detailed calculation tables, use the City’s current Chapters 9 & 10 Building and Zoning Fee Schedule.
How to Schedule a Farmington Building Inspection
Farmington now allows homeowners and contractors to schedule inspections online. Wait until the required work is complete and ready to be viewed before submitting the request.
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Have the permit or building record ready.
You will need to identify the correct permitted project. -
Open City of Farmington BS&A Online.
Use the Farmington municipal portal. -
Select “Schedule an Inspection.”
Contractors should sign in with the account connected to their permit. Homeowners can follow the City’s homeowner inspection link/instructions. -
Select the correct permit and inspection type.
Do not request a final inspection when prerequisite work or required trade inspections are still incomplete. -
Submit the request and check for confirmation.
Keep the permit number available and make sure the site will be accessible. -
Review the result before covering work or moving to the next regulated stage.
If corrections are required, complete them and follow the City’s instructions for reinspection.
Common construction inspection stages
The exact inspection list comes from your permit and approved plans. Depending on the project, regulated work can involve footing/foundation, underground systems, rough framing, rough electrical, plumbing or mechanical work, insulation-related review, equipment installation and final inspections.
Important: do not conceal framing, wiring, piping or another component that must be inspected while exposed.
The City’s published fee schedule states that a second or additional correction inspection can carry a $50 fee.
Search a Farmington Permit, Inspection or Building Record
BS&A Online also provides a public Building Department Record Search. This is useful when checking an existing permit, researching previous construction or confirming whether a project record exists.
- Open City of Farmington BS&A Online.
- Confirm the heading shows City of Farmington | Oakland | MI.
- Select Building Department Record Search.
- Search using the available address, parcel, owner or building-record information.
- Open the matching record and review available permit and inspection information.
- If an older permit is missing or the record is unclear, call the City at 248-473-7250 rather than assuming no permit exists.
BS&A also provides Building Department fee payment and rental-property record services for Farmington.
Which Building Codes Apply in Farmington in 2026?
Farmington’s local ordinance identifies the City as the enforcing agency for the Michigan state construction code inside its corporate limits. For 2026 projects, the important point is that Michigan’s code editions are not all from the same model-code year.
| Code area | Michigan code listed as current in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Building | 2021 Michigan Building Code, effective April 9, 2025 |
| Residential | 2015 Michigan Residential Code remains current while the newer residential rule update is subject to pending legal/rulemaking action |
| Mechanical | 2021 Michigan Mechanical Code, effective March 12, 2024 |
| Plumbing | 2021 Michigan Plumbing Code, effective March 12, 2024 |
| Electrical | 2023 National Electrical Code as adopted by Michigan, effective March 12, 2024 |
| Commercial energy | 2021 Michigan Commercial Energy Code, effective April 22, 2025 |
Michigan is working on newer code editions, so projects submitted later can be affected by future effective dates. For a permit being prepared now, verify the current edition through the Michigan LARA current code list before finalizing plans.
Zoning, Signs, Fences, Businesses and Right-of-Way Work
A building permit does not automatically resolve every local approval. Farmington’s Planning and Building Department also administers zoning compliance and several related development functions.
Projects changing the site or building footprint
Additions, new structures, fences and other exterior improvements may need zoning review for placement, lot requirements or other local rules. For larger developments, site-plan approval can occur before a zoning compliance or building permit is issued.
Signs
Farmington’s fee schedule states that signs can involve separate zoning and building permit charges. Illuminated signs can also require an electrical permit. Do not order a custom sign before confirming allowable size, location and permit requirements.
Opening or changing a business
A business location can involve zoning compliance, construction permits, occupancy approval and City business registration. Farmington states that businesses operating in the City must register with the City Clerk.
Farmington’s official New Business guide →
Public right-of-way work
Work involving public sidewalk, driveway approaches, excavation or other right-of-way activity can trigger separate Public Works or right-of-way requirements and bonds. Check these requirements before excavation or concrete work begins.
Nearby cities use different departments
Oakland County contains many separate permitting jurisdictions. If your property is outside the City of Farmington, use the office responsible for that municipality. Related local guides include the Commerce Township Building Department, Bloomfield Hills Building Department, and Birmingham, Michigan Building Department.
Before You Start Work: A Simple Checklist
- Confirm the property is in the City of Farmington, not Farmington Hills or another Oakland County municipality.
- Define the full project scope before choosing a permit.
- Check whether zoning approval is needed before building review.
- Prepare owner, contractor, property and construction-value information.
- Prepare scaled plans where required.
- Make sure contractors have the proper state license and Farmington registration where applicable.
- Submit the permit through the current Farmington BS&A process.
- Resolve plan-review comments before starting regulated construction.
- Make sure the permit has actually been issued.
- Schedule required inspections before work is concealed.
- Complete final inspections and obtain any required Certificate of Occupancy or Compliance before treating the project as closed.
Farmington Building Department FAQs
1. Where is the Farmington Building Department in Michigan?
The City of Farmington Planning and Building Department is at 33720 W. Nine Mile Road, Farmington, MI 48335. The main telephone number is 248-473-7250.
2. Can I apply for a Farmington building permit online?
Yes. Farmington currently directs building and trade permit applicants to its online BS&A permit service. Use the City’s official online permitting page or the City of Farmington BS&A portal.
3. How do I schedule a Farmington building inspection?
Open the City of Farmington BS&A portal, choose Schedule an Inspection, locate the applicable permit and submit the required inspection request. Contractors should use the account connected with their permit records.
4. Can I search Farmington building permits by address?
Yes. BS&A Online provides a Building Department Record Search for City of Farmington permit records. Available search options can include address, parcel, owner and record information.
5. What building permits does Farmington issue?
The Planning and Building Department handles building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits and inspections. The City’s forms also cover items such as signs, fences, fire systems, zoning compliance and property-maintenance matters.
6. How much is a building permit in Farmington?
There is no single price for every project. Farmington’s published building schedule includes a $50 administrative base fee, construction-value-based charges, plan-review fees and separate charges for applicable zoning, trade, inspection or other services.
7. Is there an online permit fee in 2026?
Yes. Farmington City Council approved a $3 online technology fee for applicable Planning and Building Department online transactions in March 2026.
8. Do contractors need to register with the City of Farmington?
Farmington requires applicable contractors to register and have required state or reciprocal licensing verified. Contractors who are not registered or need an update should provide the contractor-registration form and applicable license information to the City.
9. Does this guide apply to Farmington Hills?
No. The City of Farmington and the City of Farmington Hills are separate jurisdictions. Farmington Hills has its own Building Division, BS&A account and permit requirements.
10. Who should I contact if I am unsure whether my project needs a permit?
Call the City of Farmington Planning and Building Department at 248-473-7250 or email forms-permits-inspections@farmgov.com. Give staff the property address and a clear description of the proposed work.
Official Farmington Permit Resources
- Planning and Building Department
- Online Permitting & Inspection Scheduling
- City of Farmington BS&A Online
- Building Forms & Permit Documents
- Building & Zoning Fee Schedule
- Farmington Code & Zoning Resources
- Michigan Current Construction Codes
Information reviewed for 2026. Permit fees, code editions, staff assignments and online procedures can change. USBuilding.org is an independent informational resource and is not the City of Farmington or another government agency. Use the official City system for applications, payments, inspections and final project-specific decisions.