Building permits in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Of the 9 common home projects we have verified in Grand Rapids, 4 need a permit outright and 5 depend on size or scope. Click any project for the full rule, fee, and how to apply.
By Mario Bailey Last checked · 2 official sources
Verified against official sources- Project types verified
- 10
- in Grand Rapids
City of Grand Rapids Development Center, Building Inspections Division
- Development Center, 1120 Monroe Ave. NW, 3rd Floor, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503
- Phone: 616-456-4100
- Email: devcenter@grcity.us
- Official permit page
- Permit portal
- Official fee schedule
Look up a permit in Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids permit records are public, and you can check a property's permit history by address or parcel number online.
What needs a permit in Grand Rapids
Of the 9 common home projects we have verified in Grand Rapids, 4 need a permit outright and 5 depend on size or scope. Click any project for the full rule, fee, and how to apply.
| Project | Permit needed? | Threshold | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deck Permit | It depends | floor area at which a freestanding deck with supporting beams, joists or posts requires a building permit; a deck attached to or adjacent to a house requires one at any size | FY 2027 Planning, Design and Development Fee Schedule effective July 1, 2026, Building... |
| Electrical Permit | It depends | Not specified | FY 2027 Planning, Design and Development Fee Schedule effective July 1, 2026, Electrical... |
| Fence Permit | Permit required | Not specified | FY 2027 Planning, Design and Development Fee Schedule, Planning Fees effective July 1... |
| HVAC Permit | It depends | Not specified | FY 2027 Planning, Design and Development Fee Schedule effective July 1, 2026, Mechanical... |
| Patio Permit | Not confirmed | Not specified | Not published |
| Plumbing Permit | It depends | Not specified | FY 2027 Planning, Design and Development Fee Schedule effective July 1, 2026, Plumbing... |
| Pool Permit | It depends | water depth a pool, hot tub, spa or similar structure is capable of reaching | FY 2027 Planning, Design and Development Fee Schedule effective July 1, 2026, Building... |
| Roof Replacement Permit | Permit required | Not specified | FY 2027 Planning, Design and Development Fee Schedule effective July 1, 2026, Building... |
| Shed Permit | Permit required | Not specified | FY 2027 Planning, Design and Development Fee Schedule effective July 1, 2026. |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | Not specified | FY 2027 Planning, Design and Development Fee Schedule effective July 1, 2026, Electrical... |
Planning a project in Grand Rapids?
Hire it out
Before you sign, ask the contractor:
- Who pulls the permit, you or me, and is the permit fee included in the bid?
- Which inspections will this job need, and who meets the inspector on site?
- Is your contractor license active in this locality, and under which business name?
Planning several things at once? Check your whole project