Ann Arbor, Michigan Building Permits
Ann Arbor, Michigan building permit guide covering plan review, fees, zoning, inspections, code rules, floodplain issues, and project requirements.
Wind
ASCE 7 basic wind speed is typically about 115 mph ultimate design wind speed for Risk Category II buildings in the Ann Arbor area. Designers must confirm wind speed, exposure, topographic effects, risk category, and code edition for each site.
Snow Load
Ground snow load is commonly about 25 psf for Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County, subject to confirmation under the current Michigan code, ASCE 7, and project-specific conditions.
Flood
Ann Arbor has mapped FEMA floodplains, especially near the Huron River, Allen Creek, Malletts Creek, and other waterways. Floodplain development may require special city review, elevation certificates, flood-resistant construction, compensatory storage, and compliance with FEMA and local flood damage prevention standards.
Earthquake
Seismic risk is low, and many typical buildings fall in Seismic Design Category A or B depending on soil class, occupancy, and structural system. Engineered commercial and multifamily projects should calculate seismic design parameters under ASCE 7.
Wildfire
Wildfire risk is generally low in Ann Arbor’s urbanized areas, and special WUI construction is not typically a standard permit requirement. Properties near wooded natural areas should still consider defensible space, fire access, exterior material durability, and applicable fire code requirements.
Building Department
City of Ann Arbor Building and Rental Services, part of the city’s Planning and Development Services functions.
Approval Timeline
Minor residential trade permits and straightforward repairs may be issued quickly, often within a few business days if complete. Residential decks, additions, basement finishes, garages, and remodels commonly require about 1 to 3 weeks for plan and zoning review. Projects in historic districts, floodplains, or with stormwater impacts may take longer. Commercial tenant improvements and change-of-use projects often take 3 to 6 weeks, while larger mixed-use, institutional, laboratory, multifamily, or new commercial projects can take 6 to 10 weeks or more depending on complexity, site plan requirements, fire review, utilities, and resubmittals.
Common Requirements
Typical submittals include the building permit application, site plan, scaled construction drawings, zoning data, construction valuation, contractor licensing information, energy code compliance information, product specifications, and separate trade permit applications. Residential plans commonly need floor plans, elevations, framing plans, foundation details, sections, stair and guard details, insulation values, window and egress information, and smoke/CO alarm locations. Commercial submittals usually require sealed architectural and engineering drawings, code analysis, occupancy classification, construction type, occupant load, accessibility details, life-safety plans, fire alarm/sprinkler drawings where applicable, mechanical/electrical/plumbing sheets, and deferred submittal lists.
Zoning Information
Ann Arbor regulates land use through its Unified Development Code, commonly referred to as Chapter 55. Zoning review may address use, density, setbacks, building height, floor area, lot coverage, parking, signs, landscaping, stormwater, natural features, floodplains, and overlay standards. Many properties are affected by historic districts, downtown character areas, planned projects, university-adjacent zoning, or special exceptions, so zoning review should occur early in the design process.
Permit Costs
Ann Arbor permit fees are based on the city’s adopted fee schedule and may include building permit fees, plan review fees, trade permit fees, zoning review, inspections, certificates, and special reviews. Small residential trade permits may commonly be in the $75 to $250 range. Residential remodels, decks, and basement finishes may range from about $150 to $800 depending on valuation and trades. Additions, new homes, and multifamily projects can range from several hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. Commercial projects are typically valuation-based and can include additional fire, site, right-of-way, utility, and stormwater review fees.
Engineering Requirements
Engineer or architect seals are commonly required for commercial, multifamily, institutional, assembly, and mixed-use projects, and for residential work that falls outside prescriptive code limits. Engineering is often needed for structural beam calculations, load-bearing wall removals, foundation repairs, retaining walls, basement underpinning, truss modifications, roof framing changes, solar support calculations, unusual soil conditions, and flood-resistant design. Michigan licensed design professionals should prepare or supervise sealed documents when required by state law or requested by plan review.
Local Code Adoption
Ann Arbor enforces the Michigan Construction Code under state adoption, including the Michigan Building Code and Michigan Residential Code with state amendments, plus local zoning, floodplain, stormwater, historic district, and property maintenance ordinances. Michigan has transitioned to the 2021 Michigan Building Code and 2021 Michigan Residential Code; applicants should confirm the edition in force when submitting.
Typical Projects
Common Ann Arbor permit projects include additions to older homes, basement finishes, porch and deck repairs, kitchen and bath remodels, rental housing improvements, accessory dwelling unit-related work where allowed, solar installations, EV chargers, university-area tenant build-outs, downtown mixed-use renovations, restaurant build-outs, laboratory and office improvements, multifamily repairs, and historic district alterations.