Administrative overview · FIPS 26105
Mason 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
Mason County Building Department
For a project in or near Mason 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
231-757-9345; Building Official Tom Fulker: 231-690-0847
Call before mobilizing if the project has a boundary, occupancy, fire, septic, or utility question.
Permit counter
Mason County Building Department, 5300 W US 10, Ludington, MI 49431 (Mason County Airport building)
Operating hours
Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-5:00 PM; building permits issued 8:30 AM-4:30 PM, Fridays only until 4:00 PM
Review expectation
N/A; the county states that permits are mailed after the application is processed but does not publish a standard review timeline
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 Mason County
Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?
Mason 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 231-757-9345; Building Official Tom Fulker: 231-690-0847.
How long might review take?
N/A; the county states that permits are mailed after the application is processed but does not publish a standard review timeline
How are inspections scheduled?
Request inspections at least two business days in advance. Building inspections: contact Tom Fulker at 231-690-0847 or the Building office. Electrical: 231-757-9345 ext. 317; mechanical/plumbing: ext. 316. Typical inspection days are Monday-Friday for building and Monday/Wednesday for electrical, mechanical, and plumbing. A reinspection fee may apply for premature requests, no access, or excessive corrections.
Which codes and exemptions should I review?
Mason County is the listed enforcing authority for building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing in the Michigan Statewide Jurisdiction List, subject to local exceptions including the City of Ludington and Pere Marquette Charter Township having their own building departments. Current Michigan codes include the 2021 Michigan Building Code and 2021 Michigan Rehabilitation Code (effective April 9, 2025), 2015 Michigan Residential Code, 2021 Michigan Mechanical and Plumbing Codes (effective March 12, 2024), 2021 Michigan Commercial Energy Code (effective April 22, 2025), and 2023 Michigan Electrical Code/NEC (effective March 12, 2024). Michigan ordinary repairs may be exempt when they do not affect structural members, required egress, regulated plumbing, electrical, mechanical, or other public-safety systems. Mason County also accepts an agricultural exemption request for buildings used exclusively for agricultural storage, animals, feed, or equipment on agricultural land; residential storage is not allowed, the building official may inspect, and a zoning permit remains required. Confirm any exemption with the Building Official.