Who Do I Contact For My Building Project

The chart below identifies what is required for a number of common one- and two-family residential permit projects. If your project requires plans, permits or approvals; please contact the East Lansing Department of Planning, Building & Development at (517) 319-6871 or (517) 319-6810 for additional information. A PDF of the chart is also available
Projects Site Plan Building Plans Permit Application Zoning Review/Approval Historic Review/Approval* Building Review/Approval
Addition: Rooms, first floor, upper floors, expanding building envelope Yes - Detailed Yes - Detailed Yes Yes Yes Yes
Air Conditioner: New installation or replacement Yes - Basic   Yes Yes   Yes
Attic Finishing   Yes - Detailed Yes Yes   Yes
Basement Finishing   Yes - Detailed Yes Yes   Yes
Basement Waterproofing System: Interior or Exterior   Yes - Detailed Yes     Yes
Bathroom Remodel: Wall(s) added, moved or replaced   Yes - Detailed Yes Yes    
Boiler: Install new system or replacement     Yes     Yes
Chimney: Install new, replacement or repair   Yes - Detailed Yes   Yes Yes
Concrete: Basement     Yes     Yes
Concrete: Garage     Yes     Yes
Concrete: Exterior flatwork Yes - Basic   Yes Yes   Yes
Concrete: Porch/Steps Yes - Basic Yes - Detailed Yes Yes Yes Yes
Deck: Attached, new and replacement Yes - Basic Yes - Detailed Yes Yes Yes Yes
Deck: Detached, new and replacement: Over 200 square feet Yes - Basic Yes - Detailed Yes Yes Yes Yes
Demolition: Dwelling, Detached Garage or Other Building Yes - Basic Yes - Basic Yes   Yes Yes
Drywall: Replace existing with new drywall: Over 100 square feet     Yes     Yes
Driveway: On your property
Contact DPW for for public sidewalk and/or driveway approach; (517) 337-9459
Yes- Basic   Yes Yes   Yes
Electrical System: New wiring installation; alteration or replacement exceeding $100     Yes     Yes
Fence: 6' maximum height per East Lansing zoning requirements - see One Pager Plus            
Furnace: Install new or replacement     Yes     Yes
Garage: Detached, less than 200 square feet Yes - Basic Yes - Detailed     Yes  
Garage: Detached, more than 200 square feet Yes - Basic Yes - Detailed   Yes Yes Yes
Kitchen Remodel: Cabinets plus framing, electrical, mechanical and/or plumbing alterations   Yes - Detailed   Yes   Yes
Kitchen Cabinets: Cabinet removal and replacement only            
Light Fixtures: New installation with more that four fixtures, replacement     Yes Yes^ Yes^ Yes
Masonry: Replace/install face brick   Yes - Detailed     Yes Yes
Masonry: Tuckpointing Only            
Paving: Asphalt Yes - Basic   Yes Yes   Yes
Plumbing System: New system or alteration     Yes     Yes
Plumbing System: Replacement of Fixtures            
Radon System Install: New system   Yes - Detailed Yes   Yes Yes
Roof: New Layer Over One Existing Layer         Yes  
Roof: Tear Off Down to Deck, Deck Replacement or Deck Added Over Exstg.     Yes   Yes Yes
Storage Building or Detached Shed: 200 Square Feet or Less Yes - Basic     Yes    
Storage Building or Detached Shed: More Than 200 Square Feet Yes - Basic Yes - Detailed Yes Yes Yes Yes
Siding: Replacement         Yes  
Solar Panels: Roof Installation   Yes - Detailed Yes   Yes Yes
Stairway: Interior   Yes - Detailed Yes     Yes
Stairway: Exterior Yes - Basic Yes - Detailed Yes Yes Yes Yes
Structural Repairs   Yes - Detailed Yes     Yes
Swimming Pool: New installation, over 24" deep Yes - Basic Yes - Detailed Yes Yes Yes Yes
Swimming Pool: Inground pool demolition Yes - Basic Yes - Detailed Yes   Yes Yes
Tents: Temporary, under 200 square feet            
Tents: Temporary, over 200 square feet     Yes     Yes
Ventilation System: New mechanical and supply   Yes - Detailed Yes     Yes
Walls: New, replacement or removing   Yes - Detailed Yes Yes   Yes
Water Heater: Install, new or replacement     Yes     Yes
Water Service/Sewer Lead: New service or lead
Contact DPW at (517) 337-9459
    Yes     Yes
Windows and Doors: Removal & replacement         Yes  
Windows and Doors: New openings or change in opening   Yes - Detailed Yes   Yes Yes
Windows and Doors: Egress window Yes - Basic Yes - Detailed Yes   Yes Yes
*Historic review is only applicable if a property is within a historic district or designated as a landmark property.
^Exterior lighting only


Basic Site Plans: Must show all existing structures and all hard surfaces (sidewalks, patios, decks, etc.). A mortgage survey is ideal, but other drawings are sufficient if drawn to scale. 

Detailed Site Plans: A detailed, to-scale drawing prepared and stamped by a registered design professional (engineer or architect).

Basic Building Plans: Drawn to scale showing the footprint of the project, foundation, framing, Energy Code compliance and a sectional drawing of the proposed project. If applicable, show the elevations relative to the house and grade. 

Detailed Building Plans: A detailed, to-scale drawing prepared and stamped by a registered design professional (engineer or architect).