Administrative overview · FIPS 26011
Arenac County permit authority
The first compliance decision is jurisdictional: identify the office with statutory authority over your parcel, then use its filing and inspection sequence to keep the project moving.
Jurisdictional status
County
This county profile is the primary starting point for unincorporated-area permitting.
Responsible agency
Arenac County Building Department
For a project in or near Arenac County, this office is the identified point of contact for permit intake, statutory code enforcement, plan review coordination, and inspection release conditions. Confirm the parcel’s boundary and project type before relying on the county lane.
Direct contact
989-846-9791; Building Inspector Larry Watson 989-312-0800; Electrical 989-213-6749; Mechanical/Plumbing 810-343-4601
Call before mobilizing if the project has a boundary, occupancy, fire, septic, or utility question.
Permit counter
120 N. Grove Street, P.O. Box 724, Standish, MI 48658
Operating hours
Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; lunch closure varies with customer demand; county holidays may close the office.
Review expectation
N/A; the department publishes no standard plan-review timeline and warns that incomplete applications or missing documents delay processing.
Compliance workbench
Choose the next project decision.
Apply online
Open the verified digital gateway, application form, and review timeline.
Open guide →Fees & penalties
Understand fee schedules, enforcement exposure, and stop-work liabilities.
Open guide →Codes & exemptions
Read the code framework, minor-work exemptions, and inspection lane.
Open guide →Agency website
Visit the primary public source for current notices and contact changes.
Open guide →Source trail
Official sources for this profile
Use these direct agency or licensing links to confirm current instructions before you file, pay, or schedule work. External pages control if their information differs from this directory.
Project questions
Frequently asked questions for Arenac County
Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?
Arenac County Building Department is the identified county-level authority for this profile. Confirm that the property is in its service area before filing.
How should I begin an application?
Begin with the online permit gateway listed in the application guide. If the portal does not recognize the address or project type, contact 989-846-9791; Building Inspector Larry Watson 989-312-0800; Electrical 989-213-6749; Mechanical/Plumbing 810-343-4601.
How long might review take?
N/A; the department publishes no standard plan-review timeline and warns that incomplete applications or missing documents delay processing.
How are inspections scheduled?
Call 989-846-9791 when ready and provide the permit number, site address and access instructions; the applicant is responsible for requesting every inspection. Normal inspection days are building Thursday, electrical Tuesday, and mechanical/plumbing Tuesday, generally between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.; other days may be arranged if available. An unclear road address can cause an additional inspection fee.
Which codes and exemptions should I review?
Current Michigan codes identified by LARA for 2026: 2021 Michigan Building Code (effective April 9, 2025); 2015 Michigan Residential Code (current code, effective February 8, 2016, with later 2021 residential rules held by court order); 2021 Michigan Rehabilitation Code; 2021 Michigan Mechanical Code; 2021 Michigan Plumbing Code; 2023 National Electrical Code/Michigan Electrical Code (effective March 12, 2024); and 2021 Michigan Commercial Energy Code (effective April 22, 2025). Arenac's revised June 2025 application separately identifies Michigan Residential Code/Michigan Building Code review cycles and requires separate electrical, mechanical and plumbing applications. Michigan code exemptions include one-story detached tool/storage sheds or playhouses up to 120 square feet, fences up to 7 feet, retaining walls up to 4 feet unless supporting a surcharge or impounding regulated liquids, grade-level water tanks up to 5,000 gallons, certain low sidewalks and driveways, painting/papering/tiling/carpeting/cabinets/countertops and similar finish work, qualifying above-ground pools under 24 inches deep, agricultural shade-cloth structures, playground equipment, qualifying window awnings, and specified movable fixtures. Ordinary repairs are exempt only when they do not affect structural supports, egress, regulated systems, public health or general safety. Arenac advises calling before starting because garages, sheds, pole barns, decks, porches, pools, additions and demolitions may require permits.