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Rebuild Detroit

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Permits, inspections and rental certificates in Detroit

Detroit BSEED

Every permit, inspection and rental certificate in the City of Detroit runs through this department.

City department

Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department

  • Building and residential permits
  • Trade permits
  • Rental registration
  • Business licenses

(313) 628-2711

How to reach BSEED

Certificate of Occupancy questions
(313) 628-2711
Serves
City of Detroit
Review time
About 4 hours residential, up to 20 business days commercial
Rental inspections
Every two years with a Certificate of Compliance

Programs

  • Building and residential permits Commercial buildings need a building permit and one and two family homes a residential permit. Apply in the Accela portal and submit plans through ProjectDox; single family and duplex projects can apply in person.
  • Trade permits Homeowners can pull electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits for their own single family home with proof of ownership; multi-family and commercial work needs a licensed contractor.
  • Rental registration Register a rental and pass interior and exterior inspections for a Certificate of Compliance, renewed by inspection every two years.
  • Business licenses Applied for in the Accela portal and renewed every two years for most types.
  • Environmental complaints Trash, rodents and dust are reported through SeeClickFix Detroit.

How to get started

  1. 1 Create an Accela account Contractors link their license to it.
  2. 2 Submit the scope and plans About 15 minutes online; review takes from about 4 hours for a home to 20 business days for commercial work.
  3. 3 Do the work, then call for inspection Close the permit with a Certificate of Acceptance.

General Contractors on Rebuild Detroit

All 22,353 general contractors

Electricians on Rebuild Detroit

All 2,860 electricians

Where to go next

Questions people ask

Can a homeowner pull a permit in Detroit?

Yes for electrical, plumbing and mechanical work on your own single family home, with proof of ownership. Multi-family and commercial work needs a licensed contractor.

How long does a Detroit permit review take?

From about 4 hours for a residential project to about 20 business days for commercial work.

Sources

Other offices Detroiters call