Building Department, Code Enforcement, and Zoning Administration

BUILDING DEPARTMENT

The Building Department includes City Building Inspector Ed Carpenter, Assistant Building Inspector Bruce Williams, Electrical Inspector Charlie Basinger, and Plumbing Inspector John Dobbertin.  Rich Shoemaker of the Galien River Sanitary District (GRSD) Sewer Authority is the Sanitary Sewer Inspector.

The inspectors in this department are responsible for processing all permits and performing all inspections for building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and signage activities within the City.

Permits must be obtained before beginning any construction, remodeling, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, or signage work.  Purely cosmetic (non-structural) changes, such as painting, are exempt.

If you have any questions regarding these topics please contact City Building Inspector Ed Carpenter.

Code Books may be purchased directly from the State of Michigan:

Michigan Dept. of Consumer & Industry Services
Bureau of Construction Codes
P.O. Box 30255, Lansing, MI 48909
517-241-9313


CODE ENFORCEMENT

City Building Inspector Ed Carpenter is also the City's Code Enforcement Official.  He is assisted by Police Patrolman Michael Cluster, who is the City's Code Enforcement Officer.

The City Building Inspector and Police Department work together to provide proactive code enforcement in addition to responding to concerns from residents and visitors.

Residents and visitors with questions or concerns regarding the City's General Ordinances or Zoning Ordinance are encouraged to contact Ed Carpenter or Mike Cluster.

To help them more effectively respond to your question or concern please provide the following:

1. The nature of your question or concern.
2. The property address and location - if applicable.
3. Your name and contact information if you wish to be contacted - optional and confidential.  

Thank you for your interest in keeping the City a wonderful place to live and visit!


ZONING ADMINISTRATION

Anyone who would like to request site plan approval, special use approval, subdivision approval, rezoning a property, zoning ordinance amendment, a variance, a zoning ordinance interpretation, a temporary use permit, hearing an appeal, etc. - as specified in the City's General Ordinances and Zoning Ordinance - should fill out a Planning Commission/ ZBA Application and submit it to the Office of the Zoning Administrator via City Building Inspector Ed Carpenter.  Please direct all questions and concerns regarding zoning to Mr. Carpenter.