Administrative overview · FIPS 26019
Benzie 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
Benzie County Building Safety and Code Enforcement Department
For a project in or near Benzie 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
231-882-9673; 24-hour inspection request line 231-882-9674
Call before mobilizing if the project has a boundary, occupancy, fire, septic, or utility question.
Permit counter
Lower Level, Government Center, 448 Court Place, Beulah, MI 49617
Operating hours
Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 1:00-5:00 p.m.; a Springdale Township notice lists the same department as 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. with noon closure
Review expectation
The county’s permitting guide states that when plans contain the correct information, plan review should take approximately 10 business days. Actual timing varies with completeness, project type, required zoning or environmental approvals, and inspector availability.
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 Benzie County
Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?
Benzie County Building Safety and Code Enforcement 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 231-882-9673; 24-hour inspection request line 231-882-9674.
How long might review take?
The county’s permitting guide states that when plans contain the correct information, plan review should take approximately 10 business days. Actual timing varies with completeness, project type, required zoning or environmental approvals, and inspector availability.
How are inspections scheduled?
Use the 24-hour inspection request line at 231-882-9674 or contact the department at 231-882-9673. The department performs inspections for all trades and state-code compliance; the permit holder must keep work accessible and request the required inspections before covering or advancing construction stages.
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). The county department administers and enforces the applicable state codes; local zoning and special overlays remain separate. Michigan exemptions include one-story detached sheds or playhouses up to 120 square feet, fences up to 7 feet, qualifying retaining walls, 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 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. Confirm any exemption with the county building official, especially for work also requiring zoning, soil-erosion, health, critical-dune or other approvals.