Building Permit Instructions
This information has been produced by the Building and Zoning department to inform the public about what information is required, and the procedures that must be followed when making a application for a permit. It also outline the procedures, requirements and times during construction when inspections necessary. To the best of our knowledge and belief all information contained in this booklet was accurate and correct at the time of publication.

Please Take Notice!

As a building permit holder, you are responsible for having knowledge of all the appropriate and other related codes for the project you plan to undertake. Inspectors cannot tell you how to do the work or solve problems with construction, electrical wiring, plumbing, or mechanical systems. Inspectors will answer specific code questions and tell you if what you have done or propose to do will meet the appropriate code. It is the inspector's responsibility to inform you of all the applicable building, electrical, mechanical, or plumbing codes for your project.

YOU MUST BE KNOWLEDGEABLE OF THE CODES AND IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO MEET THOSE REQUIREMENTS.

If you do not know the codes, it may be beneficial for you to hire a licensed contractor to perform the work. This may prevent expensive mistakes or loss of time. Please note that when signing A PERMIT APPLICATION you are signing a statement indicating YOU know the code requirement and laws relating to the project you propose to undertake.

All building permits are required to have periodic inspections. If the project is not started and you do not have and inspection in six (6) months, your permit may be canceled. If after your project is started, it is stopped for any reason for more than six (6) months, your permit may be canceled.

The information we request at the time of application for a permit is required by law under the Michigan Construction Code Act (M.C.L.A. 125.1523). We are required to keep this information, and all other pertinent documents (including inspection notices) in the Township's possession for as long as the building or structure stands.

An application for a permit may be made Monday through Thursday (except legal holidays) at Napoleon Township Office, 6755 Brooklyn Road, Napoleon, Michigan 49261 between the hours of 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

The Building Department requires all inspections to be scheduled by the Permit Holder and the request must include the permit number, permit holder's name, and the address of the construction site. Call appropiate inspector to set up appointments for inspection.

Most inspections will be completed within twenty-four to forty eight hours after the request is made (excluding weekends and holidays).

After and inspections is completed, the inspector will mark the posted permit at the job site indicating the status of the inspection and whether or not any corrections need to be made. The Michigan Construction Code requires that this department keep a copy of all inspection records with the permit file. If an inspection is conducted and the inspector determines that corrections will need to be made or additional work needs to be performed, the permit holder will be responsible for all corrections or additional work and for scheduling a re-inspection. Re-inspection requests will be scheduled like any other inspection requested.

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS REQUIRED IN WRITING
FOR A BUILDING PERMIT

1. A proper and completely filled out application. (Application provided by this department) including the following documentation:

1 Set of plans for all buildings. Must be drawn under the supervision of an architect or engineer licensed in the state of Michigan. (This is a new provision of the code implemented on July 31, 2001). Plans for residential construction over 3,500 square feet must be drawn and sealed by the architect or engineer. All plans must be to scale. All plans must show footing, basement, or crawl space, and all floor levels. Plans shall also show insulation, R-Factors in ceilings and walls, in compliance with Michigans Energy Code.

NOTE: All commercial and industrial projects are required to provide plans sealed by a professional engineer or architect license in the State of Michigan.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

At the time an application is made or before the building permit has been issued, the Building and Zoning Department may inform the permit applicant that additional permits, processes or information will be required from other governmental agencies. (i.e. Planning Commission Review, or variance review by the Zoning Board of Appeals.)

ASSIGNMENT OF ADDRESSES: All addresses for Napoleon Township are issued by the Township Assessing department.

FARM ANIMALS: The keeping of farm animal requires a minimum lot area of 5 acres in an Agricultural Zoned District.

FAMILY OR FOSTER DAY CARE: Family or foster day care licensed for the care of 7 or more children or elderly adults in subject to conditional use review before the Planning Commission.

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

Primary Structures:

Footings:

House - 42 inches deep Attached Garage - 42 inches deep Detached Garage - 400 sq. ft. and over require 42 inch deep footings Accessory Structures - over 200 sq. ft. must have a permit and must be place at least 10 feet away from rear and side property lines. Structures less than 600 sq. ft. do not require deep footings but should be placed on at least an 18 inch rat wall..

New Homes:

Minimum Square Footage - 1,000 for 1 and 2 bedroom homes Minimum Building Width - 20 feet Attached to a permanent perimeter foundation. Ceiling Height - 7 feet minimum

Any habitable space provided in a basement would require an egress window with a window well. A new provision of the code.

ONLY ON PRINCIPAL STRUCTURE PER PARCEL (ONE HOME PER LOT).

THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES MUST BE USED WHEN CALLING
FOR AN INSPECTION

Call appropiate inspector as listed on the top right hand section of this page.

1. The Building Department requires all inspections to be scheduled by the PERMIT HOLDER and the request must include the permit number, permit holder's name, the address of the construction site, and a telephone number where the permit holder may be reached during the inspection hours.
2. Most inspections will be completed within twenty four to forty-eight hours after the request is received (excluding weekends and holidays). During abnormally busy times of the year the inspection time could be up to three business days.
3. Cancellation of an inspection must be made NO LATER THAN 9:00A.M. on the date of the scheduled inspection.
4. All requests for inspections will be scheduled Monday through Thursday ONLY for either morning of afternoon. NO SPECIFIC TIMES WILL BE SCHEDULED OR PROMISED. You must wait for the inspector to complete the inspection before you continue work. Any work that has not been inspected and has been concealed will not be approved.
5. If access road and/or driveways are not passable because of the weather or other conditions, you must tell at the time the inspection is requested.

   PLEASE REMEMBER
   IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO
   SCHEDULE YOUR INSPECTIONS

   An approved inspection must be obtained from this department by the PERMIT HOLDER for one or more of the following:

   FOOTING: (Concrete & Poly-Steel)
   This inspection must be obtained prior to pouring any concrete. All required forms and reinforcing rods must be in place (this includes all footings for porches, garages, etc.). All water must be removed from the construction area. More than one inspection may be required if you are placing concrete in more than one pour.

   FOOTING: (Utility Buildings)
   This inspection is required after the holes for a pole building have been drilled to the proper depth and diameter, or after the trenches and forms have been completed for a monolithic slab (slab on a grade). The maximum size of a monolithic slab is 24' x 24' and supports a single story building unless it has been designed by a licensed professional architect or engineer licensed in the State of Michigan.

   FOUNDATION: (Wood)
   This inspection must be obtained after all aggregate has been placed, the wood foundation walls have been erected and secured, all plywood joints have been caulked, all inside corners have been properly bolted together, but before any vinyl covering has been installed. The basement floor must not be poured but the first floor deck may be completed and properly attached to the foundation walls. The sump crock should be in place (a sump crock is required even if the building has a gravity foundation drain and must be located at least two (2) feet from the foundation walls). More than one inspection may be required if you are constructing the foundation in sections (basement, garage, porches, etc.).

   BACKFILL: (Wood Foundation)
   This inspection must be obtained after the vinyl envelope has been installed and the backfill stone has been installed to a depth of not more than eight (8) inches. Earth must not be placed until this inspection is completed. More than one inspection may be required if you are backfilling the foundation in stages.

   BACKFILL: (Concrete & Poly-Steel)
   This inspection must be obtained after the required parging has been applied to concrete block walls or Poly-steel (foam blocks) walls. The water proofing has been installed on all foundation walls below grade (if the area below grade space in not used for living space). The foundation drain tile has been properly installed (the top of the tile must be below the top of the footing). The drain tile stone has been put in place (two (2) inches below, eight (8) inches on the side and six (6) inches above the tile). Sock tile may be used in sandy soils if approved by the inspector prior to placement. The filter membrane must also be installed over the drain tile stone.

   UNDERGROUND: (Mechanical)
   All mechanical piping, duct work, or equipment of any kind that has been installed underground must be inspected before it is covered.

   TIE-DOWN INSPECTION: (Manufactured Housing)
   This inspection is conducted after the manufactured house is placed on the pillars, all beams, support columns, blocking, utility hookups and the anchors have been installed, but before any skirting has been installed. With prior approval from the Building Inspector, the tie-down inspection may be made after the skirting has been installed if panels have been removed to provide the inspector with visual access to the underside of the manufactured home and the tie-down equipment.

   ROUGH MECHANICAL:
   All mechanical equipment, duct work, piping, vents, chimneys, fireplaces, draft-stopping, fire-stopping or other work related to the installation of mechanical equipment that is intended to be concealed within the walls, ceilings, floors, or other areas of the building must be inspected before the Building Inspector conducts the frame inspection and before it is covered up.

   FRAME: (Except Utility Buildings)
   This inspection must be obtained before the insulation and lath or wallboard has been installed. All Electrical, Mechanical, and Plumbing rough inspections must have been completed and all approval stickers must be in place.

   INSULATION INSPECTION:
   Before wallboard is installed, if blown insulation is used in ceiling depth gages must be installed.

   FINAL BUILDING: (Except Utility Buildings)
   This inspection must be obtained when the building is ready for occupancy. The address must be properly posted. Decks, porches, and all attachments to the building must be completed. All Electrical, Mechanical, and Plumbing final inspections must have been completed.

   FINAL BUILDING: (Utility Buildings)
   This inspection must be obtained when the building is ready for occupancy. The address must be properly posted. Decks, porches, and all attachments to the building must be completed. All Electrical, Mechanical, and Plumbing final inspections must have been completed.

   OCCUPANCY CERTIFICATE:
   The Occupancy Certificate is required before you permanently occupy a building (except utility buildings). All work that is required to be inspected must be inspected at the proper time and an approval for each inspection must be issued or this department will not issue an Occupancy Certificate.

   An Occupancy Certificate is not valid unless and until all required signatures of the various departments are affixed to the Certificate (Building, Electrical, Mechanical, Zoning and DPW).

   PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU CALL FOR A FINAL INSPECTION WHEN YOUR PROJECT HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND BEFORE THE BUILDING IS OCCUPIED. IF THIS PROJECT INVOLVES A LICENSED BUILDER, MECHANICAL CONTRACTOR, MAINTENANCE AND ALTERATIONS CONTRACTOR, OR A MOBILE HOME DEALER/INSTALLER/REPAIRER, AND ALL REQUIRED INSPECTIONS WERE NOT APPROVED, A FORMAL COMPLAINT MAY BE FILED WITH THE STATE OF MICHIGAN