Administrative overview · FIPS 26165
Wexford 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
Wexford County Building Department
For a project in or near Wexford 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) 779-9465
Call before mobilizing if the project has a boundary, occupancy, fire, septic, or utility question.
Permit counter
Wexford County Building Department, 401 N. Lake Street, Cadillac, MI 49601
Operating hours
Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m., closed 12:00-12:30 p.m. for lunch; closed Fridays.
Review expectation
N/A; no fixed plan-review timeline was published. Commercial projects must submit a plan-review fee with the application, and complete applications and required zoning or environmental approvals are needed before issuance.
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 Wexford County
Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?
Wexford 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) 779-9465.
How long might review take?
N/A; no fixed plan-review timeline was published. Commercial projects must submit a plan-review fee with the application, and complete applications and required zoning or environmental approvals are needed before issuance.
How are inspections scheduled?
A minimum 24-hour notice is required for all inspections. Call (231) 779-9465: building inspections are available Tuesday-Thursday, electrical Friday, plumbing Tuesday, and mechanical Thursday. The permit holder must keep work accessible for inspection and arrange required inspections with the department.
Which codes and exemptions should I review?
The Wexford County Building Department issues building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permits for all county areas except the City of Cadillac, City of Manton, and Cedar Creek Township, which have their own programs. The county page identifies the 2015 Michigan Residential Code for residential construction and the 2021 Michigan Building Code for commercial construction, and states that the 2023 National Electrical Code and 2023 Michigan Electrical Code took effect March 12, 2024. Applicable Michigan plumbing, mechanical, energy, rehabilitation, and other State Construction Code provisions also apply; verify any later LARA update before filing. The county publishes an Agricultural Exemption Application for buildings used exclusively for agricultural purposes, subject to zoning approval. Its Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control materials publish a waiver for qualifying projects within 500 feet of a lake, river, or stream that disturb less than 225 square feet or finish within 24 hours. Other minor or cosmetic building exemptions are not consolidated on the page; confirm with the Building Department before starting.