Building Department

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Important Updates & Information

Effective Sept. 1, 2025, amendments to the Permit Fee Schedules and Performance Bond Schedules will go into effect. Also, effective Sept. 1, 2025, all permits will be valid for an initial period of 180 days. You can view the updated Permit Fee Schedules here.

Effective July 15, 2025:

To show compliance with Michigan Residential Code and International Fuel Gas Code as referenced by the Michigan Mechanical Code, all permits for gas piping, tankless water heaters, generators, pool heaters and tankless/combo boilers shall require Shelby Township Gas Pipe and Gas Meter Sizing Worksheet Revision 06/2025 to completed and on file with the Building Department prior to scheduling inspections. Other versions of the form will no longer be accepted. Forms that have been received prior to the effective date will be considered compliant if they have been properly and completely filled out.

Please be advised that the State of Michigan has recently updated/adopted certain construction codes that will become effective soon. Click here for details.

The Shelby Township Building Department works to obtain compliance with national, state, and local construction codes through the process of permit issuance, plan review, and onsite inspections of work performed.

The Building Department is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the State of Michigan Building, Electrical, Plumbing and Mechanical Codes. Also, the Building Department administers and enforces ordinance provisions about fences, sidewalks, tree and woodland preservation, unsafe buildings and zoning.

Applications and Forms

The Building Department processes various permit application forms. Some forms may be completed online. Others may be printed and presented to the building desk for processing. Click the link below to access individual application forms.

Construction Board of Appeals

In accordance with state law, the Construction Board of Appeals hears appeals and renders interpretations on construction code related issues within the township. The board is comprised of five members representing diverse technical experience in the fields of building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical construction.

If the Building Department refuses to grant an application for a construction permit, or makes any other decision pursuant to or related to construction codes, an interested person may appeal to the Construction Board of Appeals. Applications for appeals shall be based on a claim that the true intent of the applicable code has not been incorrectly interpreted, the provisions of the code do not fully apply and an equally good or better form of construction is proposed.

The Construction Board of Appeals meets only upon application for an appeal. Meetings are usually held during normal business hours, typically on Wednesday mornings, but may be held at other times upon approval of the Board. The process normally takes approximately two weeks.

For more information, please contact the Building Department at 586-731-5969.

Construction Codes

Please be advised that the State of Michigan has recently updated/adopted certain construction codes that will become effective soon. Click here for details.

Applications for permits received on or after the effective dates will be regulated under the new code. Copies of the new codes and state amendments will be available through the State of Michigan Bureau of Construction Codes and the International Code Council.

As of April 2025, the following is a list of the applicable codes and their effective date.

Michigan Residential Code - 2015 International Residential Code with State Amendments: Effective February 08, 2022

Michigan Building Code - 2021 International Building Code with State Amendments: Effective April 09, 2025

Michigan Rehabilitation Code – 2021 International Building Code with State Amendments: Effective April 09, 2025

Michigan Uniform Energy Code (Residential) – 2015 Incorporated into Chapter 11 of the Michigan Residential Code: Effective February 08, 2022

Michigan Electrical Code –2023 National Electrical Code with State Amendments: Effective March 12, 2024

Michigan Mechanical Code – 2021 International Mechanical Code with State Amendments: Effective March 12, 2024

Michigan Plumbing Code – 2021 International Plumbing Code with State Amendments: Effective March 12, 2024

Michigan Energy Code (Commercial) – 2021 International Energy Conservation Code with State Amendments: Effective April 22, 2025

Fees

Outline of Procedures

For your assistance, the outline of procedures listed below have been developed for common construction activities. The outlines highlight code requirements and instructions to apply for necessary permits.

Monthly Reports

As a guide to follow developments in our growing community, the Building Department compiles monthly reports highlighting new businesses and the monthly Assessor's Report, which covers permits issued for property improvements. Reports are updated at the beginning of each month.

Assessors Report

2026 Assessors Reports

January	July
February	August
March	September
April	October
May	November
June	December

New Businesses Report

2026 New Business Reports

January	July
February	August
March	September
April	October
May	November
June	December

2025 New Business Report
2024 New Business Report
2023 New Business Report
2022 New Business Report
2021 New Business Report
2020 New Business Report - No April report because of COVID-19 shutdown
2019 New Business Report
2018 New Business Report
2017 New Business Report
2016 New Business Report

Sidewalk Maintenance Program

In the interest of promoting safe pedestrian travel, the township adopted ordinances (Section 58-528 of the Code of Ordinances) that require that defective sidewalks be maintained and repaired. Additionally, under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the township’s Sidewalk Maintenance Program identifies defects and implements repairs to ensure that the sidewalks meet federal guidelines.

Overseen by the Shelby Township Building Department and administered by the township engineers at Anderson, Eckstein, and Westrick, Inc., the program works with property owners to ensure resident and guest safety throughout the township. Below are several resources and forms to help administer the program.

For more information regarding the program, contact Anderson, Eckstein and Westrick, Inc., attention Garrett Gambaro at 586-726-9734 or email ggambaro@aewinc.com.

Special Inspection Reports

Special Inspections monitor materials and workmanship that are critical to the structural integrity of the building structure. Special Inspections are a review of the construction to assure that the approved plans, shop drawings, and specifications are being followed and that relevant Codes and referenced standards are being observed by all parties involved.

Donation Boxes

Shelby Township has adopted Ordinance No. 294 (Chapter X, Article IX, Section X) which regulates and licenses donation boxes. The Ordinance 294 was passed pursuant to the Township's regulatory authority set forth in MCLA 42.15 et seq. Its’ purpose is to protect the public’s health, safety and welfare for those citizens who use donation boxes. Furthermore, this ordinance imposes restrictions and conditions on all donation boxes in the Township so that they are, and remain, clean, safe and do not create hazards to pedestrians and to vehicular traffic. To obtain a permit for a donation box please see links below:

Ordinance No. 294
Instructions
Application
Donation box fee resolution

Additional Resources

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Shelby Township, MI

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