The Oceana County Building Department issues building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permits for residential and commercial structures within the county. Public school permits are attained through the State of Michigan.
Permit Information
MANDATORY on all permit applications is the site address, property/parcel ID number, and driving directions. A lack of these will result in the application being returned. Learn more about building permits.
Building permit application along with all required supporting documents must be submitted in person or sent via US Mail. Building permit applications will not be processed if sent through email.
Electrical, Mechanical, and Plumbing permit applications may be submitted online by going to our permit online services page.
Permit Application Expiration
“An application for a permit for any proposed work shall be deemed to have been abandoned 180 days after the date of filing unless such application has been pursued in good faith or a permit has been issued; except that the building official is authorized to grant one or more extensions of time for additional periods not exceeding 180 days each. The extension shall be requested in writing and justifiable cause demonstrated.”
Permits are good for 6 months. At time of inspection, the expiration date will be pushed out 6 months from that inspection date. Two individual (no fee) extensions can be granted when requested in writing. Once the extensions are used, a paid renewal will be required. Permit renewal is $175.00.
Permit Cancellation
An issued permit will be cancelled when no inspection is requested and conducted within 180 days of the date of issuance or the date of a previous inspection. Cancelled permits can’t be refunded or reinstated.
Townships that handle their own building permits:
- Newfield and Otto
Contact Duane Cruzan at (231) 224-3960 for Newfield and Otto Township permits. - Grant Townships
Contact Mike Harris at (231) 301-9129 for Grant Township building permits only. Oceana County issues electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permits for Grant Township.
Pay for a Permit Online
Current Codes
| Code | Effective Date |
| 2015 Michigan Residential Building | February 8, 2016 |
| 2021 Michigan Building | April 9, 2025 |
| 2021 Michigan Plumbing | March 12, 2024 |
| 2021 Michigan Mechanical | March 12, 2024 |
| 2023 Michigan Electrical (NEC and Part 8 Rules) | March 12, 2024 |
| 2021 International Fuel Gas | March 12, 2024 |