Permit-Ready Plans Program | City of Grand Rapids, Michigan

The Permit-Ready Plans Program aims to lower the barrier for infill housing development in the City of Grand Rapids by decreasing construction costs and permit processing timelines. This program includes single-, two-, and multi-family housing styles to provide permit-ready plans to emerging developers. The plans have been reviewed for compliance of the Grand Rapids Zoning Ordinance and complement recent zoning changes which allow for increased infill development. These plans were drafted in partnership with MEDC, Oak Street Design, Driven Design, and the City of Grand Rapids Planning and Economic Development Departments.

How It Works

1. Obtain/Consider a vacant lot

Don't have a vacant lot? We recommend checking out our City Land Bank properties available for purchase. If you have any questions about purchasing our lots, please reach out to the City's Economic Development staff. A link to review our current City Land Bank properties is under the Helpful Links section of this page.

Once you obtain a vacant lot, or a portion of an existing lot by dividing it from the property, you are ready to move on to #2.

2. Confirm zoning requirements and obtain construction plans

If you are interested in simply reviewing the plans without a subject property in mind, email Planning@grcity.us and request any of the Permit-ready Plan sets. Please note not all Plans will be permitted on all lots. You should consult with a city Planner to make sure the property can support the housing type and size.

If you have a chosen subject property for this project, we will email the stamped construction plans to you to submit with a Building Permit application and supporting documents (see #3). Cost estimates should be explored upon consultation with a lumber yard or a contractor for accurate material cost values.

HINT!: Wondering if your chosen Plan fits on your subject property? Check out our Lot Area and Setback Requirement Guide.

IMPORTANT!: Properties located in the Traditional Neighborhood classification on Network Residential and Link Residential Street types are no longer required to provide off-street parking or driveways. You can confirm the type of street of your subject property by reviewing the Vital Streets Plan: Street Type Map.

3. Apply for a Building Permit

Once you have your selected Plan and consulted with a Planner to ensure your lot can support the Plan, you are ready to apply for a Building Permit. We recommend a licensed builder submits the application and supporting materials.

Single- & Two-Family Plans: Residential Building Permit application

All single- and two-family projects must include a completed Energy Code Worksheet, which we have completed for you! Simply include this sheet with your Building Permit application.

Quadplex Plans: Multi-family Building Permit application

IMPORTANT!: You are responsible for the Building Permit fee, trade permit fees (mechanical, electrical, plumbing), as well as water and sewer tap and connection fees. We recommend you use the Building Permit Fee Calculator tool to determine the approximate cost of the Building Permit.

4. Receive Building Permit and begin construction

Inspections will take place throughout the process. Contact the Development Center at 616-456-4100 if you have questions related to the permit or inspections.

Single-family Plans

Attention: All single-family permit-ready plans are currently under revision by a design professional. Check back this fall to review our options!

Two-family Plans

We currently have three (3) available designs for duplexes that are certified permit ready. In 2024, the City of Grand Rapids Zoning Ordinance was amended to allow for greater density in our Traditional Neighborhoods, including the ability to approve duplex construction administratively on many streets. Our Traditional Neighborhoods were generally constructed pre-WWII and are more compact, high-density lots. Check out the handbook to see elevation examples, materials list, and other helpful information.

The Macey

Two (2) bedrooms per unit, a spacious front porch, and three (3) different roof construction options. The smallest of the duplex options.

The Macey Handbook

The Luce

This plan includes a spacious front and side porch, three (3) bedrooms per unit, and three (3) roof construction options. The largest of the duplex options.

The Luce Handbook

The Herman

Three (3) bedrooms, a spacious front porch, three (3) different roof construction options, and our most popular plan set.

The Herman Handbook

Quadplex Plans

We currently have two (2) available designs for quadplexes that are certified permit ready. Quadplexes are permitted in many Traditional Neighborhoods in both the Low-Density (LDR) and Mixed-Density Residential (MDR) Zone Districts. Check out the handbook to see elevation examples, materials list, and other helpful information.

The Retting

This plan includes a spacious front and side porch, two (2) bedrooms per unit, and a spacious basement used for storage for each residential unit.

The Retting Handbook

The Fritz

This plan includes a spacious front and side porch and a spacious basement used for storage for each residential unit. In this multi-family plan, two units are one (1) bedroom, and two units are three (3) bedrooms.

The Fritz Handbook