Administrative overview · FIPS 26039
Crawford 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
Crawford County Department of Building and Safety
For a project in or near Crawford 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
989-344-3233
Call before mobilizing if the project has a boundary, occupancy, fire, septic, or utility question.
Permit counter
200 W. Michigan Ave., Grayling, MI 49738
Operating hours
Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; closed noon-1:00 p.m. for lunch. The separate Building & Safety landing page also lists limited counter hours Monday-Thursday, 8:30-11:30 a.m.; confirm before visiting.
Review expectation
N/A; no standard county plan-review turnaround was published.
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 Crawford County
Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?
Crawford County Department of Building and Safety 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 989-344-3233.
How long might review take?
N/A; no standard county plan-review turnaround was published.
How are inspections scheduled?
The county does not publish a separate online scheduling portal. Contact the Department of Building and Safety at 989-344-3233 or polmstead@crawfordco.org to arrange inspections. Typical inspections include footing, foundation, framing, rough trade, insulation, and final inspections; electrical, mechanical, and plumbing inspections may also be required. Crawford County requires two sets of plans and may require concealed finishes to be removed when inspection documentation is unavailable.
Which codes and exemptions should I review?
Michigan State Construction Code as current in 2026: 2021 Michigan Building Code (effective April 9, 2025); 2015 Michigan Residential Code for one- and two-family dwellings; 2021 Michigan Rehabilitation Code; 2021 Michigan Mechanical Code; 2021 Michigan Plumbing Code; 2021 Michigan Commercial Energy Code; and 2023 National Electrical Code as adopted by Michigan. Michigan's official jurisdiction list assigns Crawford County authority for the county and for Beaver Creek Township, the City of Grayling, Lovells Township, Maple Forest Township, and South Branch Township; Frederic Township and Grayling Township are listed as local enforcing agencies. Michigan ordinary repairs may be exempt when they do not cut or remove structural members, alter required egress, or affect regulated electrical, plumbing, mechanical, public-health, or general-safety systems. Crawford County states that accessory buildings under 200 square feet serving a single-family or duplex dwelling, and accessory buildings under 120 square feet serving other uses, may qualify for a building-permit exemption only when accessory to an existing principal building; zoning, soil-erosion, health, utility, or trade permits may still be required. Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work are generally minor work, subject to code-official confirmation.