Frequently Asked Questions

The Michigan Construction Code Act 230 of 1972 was amended in 1999 to create the Stille-DeRossett-Hale Single State Construction Code Act.  This action created a single state building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical code for the State of Michigan.  All communities within the state utilize the same construction code and standards, which are updated on a three-year cycle.  The current construction codes include:

• The 2015 Michigan Residential Code
• The 2015 Michigan Building Code
• The 2023 National Electrical Code with Part 8 Technical Amendments
• The 2021 Michigan Mechanical Code
• The 2021 Michigan Plumbing Code

Most construction projects require a building permit to ensure compliance with the Portage Zoning Code and Michigan Construction Codes. With regard to zoning requirements for one-family residential building projects, please review the One-Family Zoning Regulations (PDF) and the Lakefront Construction Guide on residential property (PDF). Before the construction, enlargement, alteration, moving, or demolition of a building or structure, an owner, or the owner's builder, architect, engineer, or agent, shall submit an application for a building permit.

A permit is not required for ordinary repairs or maintenance. Ordinary repairs to structures do not include the cutting away of any wall, partition, or portion thereof, the removal or cutting of any structural beam or bearing support, or the removal or change of any required means of egress, or the rearrangement of parts of a structure affecting the exit requirements.

Click the following links to view the residential permits and the commercial permits.

A person shall not equip a building with electrical conductors or equipment or make an alteration, change in, or addition to, electrical conductors or equipment without receiving a permit to do the work described. Work should not be started until a permit has been issued. Electrical permits are not required for the following:

• Repairs and maintenance: Minor repair work, including the replacement of lamps or the connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles.
• Radio and television transmitting stations: Provisions of the code do not apply to electrical equipment used for radio and television transmission, but do apply to equipment and wiring for power supply and to the installation of towers and antennas.
• Temporary testing systems: A permit is not required for the installation of any temporary system required for the testing or servicing of electrical equipment or apparatus.

Click the following link to view the Electrical Information Sheet. for an Electrical Permit please see the icon at the bottom of the page.

A plumbing permit is required for the erection, installation, enlargement, alteration, repair, removal, conversion, or replacement of any plumbing system regulated by the plumbing code. Work should not be started until a plumbing permit has been issued.

Plumbing permits are not required for the following:

• The stopping of leaks in drains, water, soil, waste, or vent pipes. However, if any concealed trap, drainpipe, water, soil, waste, or vent pipe becomes defective and it becomes necessary to remove and replace the drain or pipe with new material, then the work is considered new work and a permit shall be obtained and inspection made as provided in the code.
• The clearing of stoppages or the repairing of leaks in pipes, valves, or fixtures, and the removal and reinstallation of water closets, if the repairs do not involve or require the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes, or fixtures.

Click the following link to view the Plumbing Information Sheet and for a Plumbing Permit please click the icon below.

A mechanical permit is required for the erection, installation, enlargement, alteration, repair, removal, conversion or replacement of a mechanical system governed by the mechanical code. Except for the replacement of minor parts, mechanical work shall not be started until a permit for such work has been issued.

Mechanical permits are not required for the following:

• Portable heating or gas appliances that have inputs of less than 30,000 BTUs per hour.
• Replacement of any minor part that does not alter the approval of the equipment or make the equipment unsafe.
• Portable ventilation equipment and appliances.
• Portable cooling units.
• Portable evaporative cooler.
• Steam, hot or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment regulated by the code.
• Replacement of any part that does not alter its approval or make it unsafe.
• Self-contained portable refrigeration units that contain 10 pounds or less of refrigeration or not more than 1.0 horsepower.

Click the following link to view the Mechanical Information Sheet and for a Mechanical Permit please click the permit icon below.

Yes. The State of Michigan allows two entities the authority to obtain a permit for residential construction work: a contractor licensed by the State of Michigan or the homeowner if that is their place of residence and they will be performing the work.

Yes. Driveway permits are issued by the Department of Community Development. Please contact the Building Services Division at (269) 329-4477 with questions. Permits to work in the public right-of-way are issued by the Department of Transportation and Utilities.  Please contact the Transportation Division project manager at (269) 329-4422 with questions.

A building permit will be required in the event that you wish to replace more than four sheets of decking (8x4) or any structural component during the roofing activity. No permit is required to remove and replace shingles only. Find information on how to obtain a residential building permit (PDF).

The city permits businesses to operate from a home under certain circumstances. Find more information on the standards for Home Occupations and obtain a permit application (PDF). Contact and address information are on the Community Development Department page.

No permit is required for a seven-foot-high or lower fence located on non-lakefront residential property. Consideration must be given, however, to ensure that the new fence does not create a vision obstruction for vehicles or pedestrians. Specific rules apply to fencing in the rear (lakefront) yard for lakefront properties. 

A  sign permit application is required prior to the installation of a new wall sign, freestanding sign, directional sign, non-accessory billboard sign and for many temporary signs. In addition, changes to existing wall and freestanding sign faces require a sign permit prior to making sign modifications. 

To apply for a sign permit: Online sign permit  

The city permits commercial outdoor promotional events under certain circumstances.  Find more information on the standard for Business Special Events and obtain a permit application (PDF). Contact and address information are on the Community Development Department page.

Construction of all sheds greater than 200 square feet requires a building permit to determine compliance with the City of Portage Zoning Code and Michigan Residential Building Code. Review the following brochures for additional information. Guidelines for Accessory Buildings brochure (PDF) and How To Obtain A Residential Building Permit brochure (PDF).

Most construction projects require a building permit to ensure compliance with the Portage Zoning Code and Michigan Residential Building Code. With regard to zoning requirements for one-family residential building projects, please review One-Family Zoning Regulations brochure.