Administrative overview · FIPS 26119
Montmorency 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
Montmorency County Building Department
For a project in or near Montmorency 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
989-785-8006
Call before mobilizing if the project has a boundary, occupancy, fire, septic, or utility question.
Permit counter
Montmorency County Building Inspector's Department, Montmorency Courthouse, Atlanta, MI 49709; mailing address P.O. Box 789, Atlanta, MI 49709
Operating hours
N/A; the county publishes Wednesday 8:00-9:00 AM as the inspector code-question call window, but no general counter hours
Review expectation
N/A; no standard plan-review or permit-issuance timeline is published. The Building Board of Appeals meets as needed within ten days of an appeal application, which is not a permit-review deadline.
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 Montmorency County
Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?
Montmorency 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 989-785-8006.
How long might review take?
N/A; no standard plan-review or permit-issuance timeline is published. The Building Board of Appeals meets as needed within ten days of an appeal application, which is not a permit-review deadline.
How are inspections scheduled?
Email completed permits to the Building Department at the address published on the county page, then call 989-785-8006 when work is ready for inspection. The contractor is responsible for calling inspections; rough foundation inspections must occur before rough building inspections, and no work may be concealed until inspected. The county's inspection schedule is published at https://www.montcounty.org/uploads/1/3/5/8/135865566/inspectionschedule.pdf. Township zoning permits are required first for listed land uses and structures.
Which codes and exemptions should I review?
Montmorency County states that it has adopted and enforces the Michigan State Construction Code, Michigan Residential Code, and Michigan Building Code. Current Michigan editions 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), subject to the applicable trade inspector. The county's permit guide lists exemptions for one-story detached accessory structures up to 200 square feet, fences up to 6 feet, retaining walls up to 4 feet unless supporting a surcharge, qualifying ground-supported water tanks up to 5,000 gallons, sidewalks or driveways no more than 30 inches above grade, painting/papering/tiling/carpeting/cabinets/countertops and similar finish work, prefabricated pools less than 24 inches deep, playground equipment, and wall-supported window awnings. It also lists siding, storage sheds under 100 square feet, and general maintenance as county examples. Minor electrical, mechanical, and plumbing repairs may be exempt under the published guide, but exempt work still must comply with code and zoning.