Welcome to the Building Division

The building division is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the Michigan Building Codes and related laws, ordinances and standards.  The building division is also responsible for FEMA flood map repository and floodplain assistance as Niles Charter Township is an NFIP participant community. 

We are here to assist applicants in the application and code requirements necessary to obtain building permits and inspections.  Please consult our application requirements forms depending on your project, residential or non-residential as this will assist the applicant in compiling necessary information for submittal.

Contact the Building Division

320 Bell Road
Niles, Michigan 49120
map

Phone (269) 687-2741

Building Official: Jeffrey A. Dunlap

Procedure to obtain building permit and inspections: 

1. Ensure that your “project” for construction, addition, alteration, repair, moving, occupancy change or demolition etc. is located within Niles Charter Township.  Check your tax bill if unsure or call our office 269-687-2741.
2. Download the appropriate application requirement form depending whether the project is residential or non-residential construction.
3. Submit all the required information to our office (320 Bell Road) for a plan review.  Application approval or denial will follow within 10 business days (15 business days on complicated projects). Contact us for email submission at 269-687-2741.
4. Follow the permit requirements and notify our office (building inspections only) when the work (portion to be inspected) is ready for inspection.  Inspections must be scheduled on the phone (no email, fax or voice mail) and we appreciate 24 hours notice for scheduling purposes.
5. Approvals (green sticker) and disapprovals (red sticker) of work by inspectors will be noted and communicated to the permit holder.  Green sticker (approval) means you may proceed and conceal the approved work.  Red sticker (disapproval) means deficiencies/code violations have been identified and you may not proceed to conceal work until the deficiencies/code violations have been corrected and the work has been re-inspected and approved (green sticker) by the inspector.
6. Once the final inspections and approval have been obtained you will be issued a certificate of use and occupancy for the building/structure or portion of the work therein.  You may not use or occupy areas of construction under permit until the certificate of use and occupancy has been issued by Niles Charter Township.

Licensed Contractors/Builders:  Please consult the Michigan Commercial Services website for information on licensed contractors and builders.  You can also verify a license from this link and obtain valuable information on contractors and builders, including “how to file a complaint”.  http://www.michigan.gov/dleg/0,1607,7-154-35299_35395---,00.html

Code Interpretations: 

• Permit for roof covering (re-roof overlay and tear-off) to an existing building
• Permit for exterior wall covering (re-siding) to an existing building
• Permit for replacement windows in an existing building

Check the Michigan Bureau of Construction Codes for interpretations of the codes by the Michigan Construction Code Commission http://www.michigan.gov/dleg/0,1607,7-154-10575_17573-189045--,00.html

Forms:

• Application for Building Permit & Plan Examination
• Residential Construction Application Requirements
• Commercial (non-residential) Construction Application Requirements
• Construction Project Informational Letter
• Post-Frame wall form
• Post-Frame wall sample
• Sample foundation form
• Wall and roof (residential) form
• Wall and roof sample
• Code Appeal Application
• Special inspections form