City of Detroit Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department (BSEED)

The Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department (BSEED) is the City of Detroit's authority for building permits, trade permits, construction inspections, zoning, and contractor licensing. If you're building, rehabbing, or doing trade work inside Detroit city limits, BSEED is the department that approves your plans, issues your permits, signs off on your work, and hands you your Certificate of Occupancy.

BSEED is located at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center (CAYMC), 2 Woodward Avenue, Detroit. Permit applications go through the eLAPS online portal at permits.detroitmi.gov.

Permits

Building Permits

Building permits cover new construction, additions, renovations, and changes of occupancy. Plans are submitted and reviewed online through BSEED's plan review systems before a permit is issued.

Before submitting, use BSEED's Preliminary Plan Review (PPR) meeting to align with City departments early — especially on complex projects. PPR is available through the Development Resource Center. If you have building or trade code questions mid-design, request a Pre-Plan Consultation instead.

Trade Permits

BSEED issues trade permits across six disciplines:

• Boilers
• Buildings (structural)
• Electrical
• Elevators
• Mechanical
• Plumbing

Trade permits are pulled separately from building permits. Know which trades your scope requires before you submit — each has its own registration and inspection requirements.

Fire Alarm Permits

BSEED has streamlined fire alarm permitting to eliminate duplicate review. If the Detroit Fire Marshal has issued a fire alarm permit, you no longer need a separate BSEED building permit for the fire alarm system. The Fire Marshal's inspection also satisfies testing and certification requirements.

Trade permits (electrical, mechanical) are still required for any associated installation work.

• For plan review and submittal: [email protected]
• For inspections: (313) 596-2954 or [email protected]

Applying for Permits

All permit applications go through eLAPS (Electronic Licensing and Permit System) at permits.detroitmi.gov. You can scope your project, verify zoning, and estimate permit fees using the online tool before submitting.

Inspections

BSEED's Construction Inspection Division performs all inspections on active construction projects in Detroit. Inspectors verify that work matches approved plans and meets code before signing off.

Scheduling Inspections

Schedule online or call BSEED at (313) 224-3202. Inspect by trade — each of the six trade teams has its own supervisor.

Chief of Construction Inspection: Randy Hargraves — (313) 224-9102

General inquiries: [email protected]

Certificate of Acceptance

A Certificate of Acceptance (C of A) confirms that completed trade or building work passed inspection and meets current codes. It's required for permit closeout on alterations and repairs.

Process:

1. Schedule a final inspection with the appropriate trade inspector
2. Inspector verifies compliance with current codes
3. A trade supervisor approves and marks the work complete
4. C of A is issued within 72 hours — by mail, email, or in-person pickup at CAYMC Suite 408

If a contractor completed the work, the property owner may receive the C of A if the contractor authorizes it in a certified letter.

Certificate of Occupancy

A Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) is required before a new building or a change-of-occupancy space can be occupied. It confirms all work is approved and the building is safe for use.

Process:

1. All permitted work must be approved first
2. Permit holder fills out the C of O Application and submits to CAYMC Suite 408 or [email protected]
3. A DAH Blight Clearance form is submitted
4. C of O is issued within 72 hours

Zoning

BSEED's Zoning Division handles site plan reviews, Conditional Land Use hearings, and zoning verification. Before starting a project, confirm your proposed use is allowed in the property's zoning district using BSEED's online mapping tool at permits.detroitmi.gov.

If your project requires Site Plan Review, apply online and include the Site Plan Review Checklist. Zoning questions can also be addressed through a PPR meeting or Pre-Plan Consultation.

Contractor Licensing and Registration

To pull permits in Detroit, contractors must be licensed and registered with the City. Requirements vary by trade:

• Electrical, mechanical, plumbing, boilers, elevators — each trade has specific licensing requirements
• General building contractors — City of Detroit contractor registration required

Determine the license type required, then complete the registration and renewal form through BSEED. For engineering and boiler licensing questions: (313) 224-3184. For elevator licensing: (313) 224-9401.

Development Resource Center

The Development Resource Center (DRC) is BSEED's front door for contractors and developers navigating permitting and zoning. Use the DRC to:

• Request a Preliminary Plan Review meeting
• Get help applying for permits online
• Understand zoning requirements for your project
• Request a Project Facilitator for hands-on help through the process

Book a DRC meeting at permits.detroitmi.gov or use the Project Facilitator Request Form on the DRC page.

Source: City of Detroit Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department — detroitmi.gov/bseed