Building Department

General Information

The Building Department is responsible for:

• Completing field inspections of projects
• Enforcing the building code
• Issuing permits
• Reviewing plans

The department reviews and inspects all projects requiring a permit.

Permits

Currently, there are four (4) ways to submit your permit applications:

 1. By mail:
 Attn: Building Department
 City of Rochester
 400 Sixth Street
 Rochester, MI 48307

2. Place your documents in the City's drop box, located on the west side of City Hall.

3. Online* Sign In | City of Rochester | BS&A Online (bsaonline.com)

4.  In person.

For questions, please contact us at (248) 733-3700 Ext. 242.

Building permit fees, which include processing, staff review and all required inspections, are based on the cost of the project as determined by square footage. Trade permits fees are based on the actual work being performed. Homeowners are eligible to obtain permits by filing an affidavit affirming they are doing the work themselves. When a contractor obtains a permit, the person who holds the license must sign the permit application.

Permits are required for the following work: The provisions of the Code require any owner or authorized agent intending to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by the code, or to cause any such work to be done, shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit. Examples include:

• Alterations / Structural repairs
• Windows
• New Construction
• Electrical, Plumbing, Heating and Cooling installation
• Accessory structures
• Decks / Porches
• Re-roof (if more than 25% replacement)
• Occupancy and Land Use
• All Signage
• Any repairs with an estimated cost of more than $600.00
• Any structures, fences, or projects not needing a building permit, do, however, require a Zoning Compliance Permit. 

 Inspections

Inspections requests are now available online at BS&A

https://bsaonline.com/DirectUrl/Cd_InspectionRequestContractor/1655

https://bsaonline.com/DirectUrl/Cd_InspectionRequest/1655

Inspections are required for all projects requiring permits to ensure code compliance. To request an inspection, log into your BS&A Account.

a minimum of 24 hours in advance is required. All inspections will be completed in a timely manner and scheduled according to the availability of the inspector. Work must not be continued until the inspection has been completed. All permits require inspections. A list of required inspections is included in the building permit application. 

All inspections take place on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

STATE REQUIREMENTS

All inspectors in City of Rochester hold appropriate registrations from the State of Michigan in their respective fields and are registered with the State of Michigan Consumers and Industry Service as inspectors. All inspectors are required to complete a set number of hours of continuing education programs approved by the State for their individual registration.

• Randy McClure is registered as a Code Official with the State of Michigan Bureau of Construction Codes, with designation as a Building Inspector.

• Brian Claycomb is registered as a Code Official with the State of Michigan Bureau of Construction Codes, with designation as a Mechanical Inspector and Plan Reviewer.
• Jody Kinkorski is registered as a Code Official with the State of Michigan Bureau of Construction Codes, with designation as a Plumbing Inspector and Plan Reviewer.

 CODES

The City of Rochester has adopted the State of Michigan Building Codes and is the enforcing agency for the following codes:

Please click HERE.

Contractor Registration

A building contractor or homeowner's agent who engages in work on residential properties and residential buildings must be licensed with the State of Michigan in the field of the work to be performed. All building contractors residential or commercial must be registered with the City of Rochester. Upon request for a permit, the building department clerk will verify registration status of the individual contractor with the City records. The contractor must pay the registration fee, as set forth by the City. All contractor registrations expire on the date that their state license expires. A General Contractor performing commercial construction is not required to be licensed by the State of Michigan, but is required to register with the City of Rochester.