Administrative overview · FIPS 26129
Ogemaw 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
Ogemaw County Building Department
For a project in or near Ogemaw 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
Building Department (989) 345-3370; Planning and Zoning (989) 345-3375
Call before mobilizing if the project has a boundary, occupancy, fire, septic, or utility question.
Permit counter
Ogemaw County Building Department, 205 S. 8th St., West Branch, MI 48661
Operating hours
Building office 7:30 AM-12:00 PM and 1:00 PM-4:30 PM; inspectors available for calls and in-person visits 8:00-10:00 AM and 2:00-4:00 PM; office secretary 8:30 AM-12:00 PM and 1:00-4:30 PM. Normal posted department hours are 8:30 AM-4:30 PM Monday-Friday, closed on state/federal holidays.
Review expectation
N/A; the county publishes office and inspector hours but no standard plan-review or permit-issuance 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 Ogemaw County
Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?
Ogemaw 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 Building Department (989) 345-3370; Planning and Zoning (989) 345-3375.
How long might review take?
N/A; the county publishes office and inspector hours but no standard plan-review or permit-issuance timeline.
How are inspections scheduled?
Ogemaw County performs all inspections. Contact the Building Department at (989) 345-3370 or permits@ocmi.us; inspectors take calls and in-person visits during the posted 8:00-10:00 AM and 2:00-4:00 PM windows. Applications require the project address, site plan, floor plan/cross-section, and potentially septic, driveway, and other approvals. The residential application notes that the base building permit includes three inspections and additional inspections may be required.
Which codes and exemptions should I review?
Commercial: 2021 Michigan Building Code effective April 9, 2025; 2021 Michigan Rehabilitation Code; 2021 Michigan Mechanical Code; 2023 National Electrical Code with Michigan Part 8 amendments; 2021 Plumbing Code; 2021 Michigan Energy Code; 2017 ICC A117.1 accessibility; 2021 International Fuel Gas Code; 2018 International Fire Code; NFPA 13/13R 2019 fire suppression and NFPA 72 2019 fire alarm. Residential: 2015 Michigan Residential Code and Chapter 11 energy provisions, with 2019 NFPA 13D and 2013 NFPA 72 references. The county's current general information says roofing and siding permits are no longer required in Ogemaw County. All other exemptions should be confirmed under the applicable Michigan code and with the department; the county requires permits and inspections for construction-related work and asks applicants to call about project-specific requirements.