Apply for a New Residential Building or Addition Building Permit

If you are planning the construction of a new or addition to a single-family home or 2-family duplex, you will need to apply for a residential building permit.

A permit ensures the work meets our community's standards as defined in the Michigan residential building code and the City of Grand Rapids Zoning Ordinance.

Homeowner considerations: We recommend homeowners applying for their own permit to stop in to apply in person. Licensed contractors please use whichever method you're most comfortable with.

Review the requirements

To apply, you must be the owner and occupant or a licensed residential builder
Or a written authorization from a license holder is needed

Step 2.Plans

Uploaded plans are required.

Plans need to show:

Location
Size
Detail of the proposed project

Step 3.Calculate the value of improvements

Include these costs to determine the value of improvements you'll make for this project:

Building, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, excavating, grading and other costs
Construction labor costs

Not needed:

Architectural fees, cost of lot, landscaping and/or personal property

Step 4.Have your credit/debit card ready

Step 5.Apply online

Apply Online in English

Step 6.Upload plans through ePlan Room

After submitting your permit application, you will need to upload your plans. You may wait, but your plan review process will not begin without them submitted.

Learn more about using ePlan Room

Step 7.Review

Expect an email from us confirming receipt of your application.

Revisions may be needed if anything is missing or incorrect
When approved, we'll send your permit by email

Review the requirements

Not the owner?
A residential builder's license issued by the State of Michigan is needed
Or a written authorization from a license holder is needed

Step 2.Plans

Plans need to show:

Location
Size
Detail of the proposed project

Step 3.Calculate the value of improvements

Include these costs to determine the value of improvements you'll make for this project:

Building, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, excavating, grading and other costs
Construction labor costs

Not needed:

Architectural fees, cost of lot, landscaping and/or personal property

Step 4.Have your credit/debit card ready

Step 5.Complete the application

Download the Application in English

Download the Application in Spanish

Step 6.Attach electronic copies of your plans

We need copies of your plans in an electronic format for building permit applications. You can either submit plans to us on a USB flash drive or upload them through ePlan Room after your permit application has been processed.

Learn more about using ePlan Room

Step 7.Review

Expect an email from us confirming receipt of your application.

Revisions may be needed if anything is missing or incorrect
When approved, we'll send your permit by email

Call us for instructions

You can find our number in the Contact Us section of this page. We'll get you all the information you need to apply for your Residential Building Permit. We don't take applications over the phone, but we'll make sure you have everything you need to get your application approved.