Who can do the work
From BSEED's frequently asked questions (read 24 October 2026):
| What BSEED says | What it means |
|---|---|
| "Residential construction can be performed by the building owner that will occupy the dwelling" | An owner-occupant can pull the building permit and do the work |
| Residential contractors "must be have a State of Michigan Builder's License that is registered with the City of Detroit" | A hired builder needs both |
| "Homeowners may apply for a trade permit for single-family structures" | The electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits on the job can be yours too, on a one-family house |
| Scope of work, plans and documents go through the ProjectDox portal | Bring drawings for structural or layout changes |
| An inspection is requested after the work, and the Certificate of Acceptance validates the permit | The job is not closed until it passes |
Detroit issues the trades separately, so a kitchen remodel is typically one building permit plus an electrical and a plumbing permit, each with its own inspection.
What it costs
Building permit fees are set by cost of construction in BSEED's fee schedule (effective 1 January 2024, modified 18 July 2025, read 24 October 2026), under new buildings, alterations, repairs and additions:
| Cost of construction | Fee |
|---|---|
| $2,000 or less | $271.43 |
| Over $2,000 to $25,000 | $271.43 + $34.09 per $1,000 (or fraction) over $2,000 |
| Over $25,000 to $100,000 | $1,055.57 + $24.53 per $1,000 over $25,000 |
| Over $100,000 to $500,000 | $2,895.29 + $27.82 per $1,000 over $100,000 |
| Re-inspection | $176 |
At the usual Detroit remodel value of $10,000 the building permit is $544.15; at the upper end of the middle half, about $17,800, it is $816.87. Trades permits are on top.
How to apply
- Create an account in BSEED's Accela Citizen Access portal; single-family and duplex owners may apply in the office instead.
- Upload the scope and any plans through ProjectDox. BSEED estimates about 15 minutes online, and residential review "may take from 4 hours".
- Pull the electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits the job needs, then call for each inspection before walls are closed.
What 7,119 Detroit remodel permits show
| Measure | Detroit remodel and repair permits |
|---|---|
| Issued October 2024 to September 2026 | 7,119 (14% of all permits) |
| October 2024 to September 2025 / October 2025 to September 2026 | 3,495 / 3,624 (4% more) |
| Usual declared value (7,111 with one) | $10,000; middle half $4,477 to $17,796 |
| City permit type | Alteration 6,416 (90%), Residential Rehab 519 (7%), Fire Repair 107 (2%) |
| Busiest / quietest calendar month (index) | October (129) / January (64) |
| ZIPs with the most | 48221 (621), 48235 (504), 48224 (504) |
Detroit remodel permits are small: half are declared under $10,000, and the middle half tops out below $18,000, against $18,940 in Charleston. Remodels held steady while the City's trades counts fell. Monthly counts and values are on Detroit remodel permits, the rest on Detroit permit statistics and browse Detroit permits.
Before you hire
Look up earlier permits on the address with the Detroit building permit search guide. Other places' rules are in do I need a permit to remodel my house and a bathroom remodel; filed values elsewhere in home remodel cost.
What this does not tell you
The City's open files have no status and no final date, so we cannot show which remodels passed or how long they took. The value is the estimated contractor cost on the application, not the final cost. Building permits name no contractor, so we do not rank firms.
How we know this
Rules are quoted from BSEED's frequently asked questions and fees from the BSEED fee schedule effective 1 January 2024 (modified 18 July 2025), both read 24 October 2026. Our counts and values are the City of Detroit's BSEED Building Permits layer, read 18 October 2026: alteration, rehab and repair permits issued October 2024 to September 2026, City of Detroit only.
Numbers come from public permit records in 57 cities, data through October 18, 2026. Nobody paid to be on this page and nobody can.
Questions
- Do I need a permit to remodel my house in Detroit?
Yes. BSEED says it is unlawful to perform construction work on a structure in Detroit without first obtaining a permit. Remodels are building permits, and electrical, plumbing and mechanical work on the same job need their own trades permits.
- Can I do my own remodel in Detroit without a contractor?
Yes, if you will live there. BSEED's FAQ says residential construction can be performed by the building owner who will occupy the dwelling; otherwise the contractor needs a State of Michigan Builder's License registered with the City.
- How much is a building permit for a remodel in Detroit?
BSEED charges by cost of construction: $271.43 for jobs up to $2,000, then $34.09 per $1,000 over $2,000 up to $25,000. A $10,000 remodel, the usual declared value in our file, works out to $271.43 + 8 × $34.09 = $544.15.
- How long does it take to get a remodel permit in Detroit?
BSEED says the online application takes about 15 minutes and review and issue may take from 4 hours for residential structures to 20 business days for commercial buildings. Plans go through ProjectDox.
- What are Detroit remodel permits usually declared at?
$10,000, with the middle half between $4,477 and $17,796, from 7,111 Detroit remodel and repair permits issued October 2024 to September 2026 with a declared value. That is the estimate on the application, not the final bill.
Build your own list
Pick your city and the kind of work. Every firm with a permit on record, sorted by what you value.
Related guides
- Albuquerque building permit search: how to look up permits on an address
- Building a casita in Albuquerque: the 750 sq ft limit, rear-yard rule, parking, free plans, and who builds them
- Do I need a permit to build a house in Albuquerque? GB-2 or homeowner, the plan set and the fee
- Do I need a solar permit in Albuquerque? Building and electrical permits, the engineer triggers and the fee
- Do I need a plumbing permit in Sacramento? Online minor permits, the fee parts and 8,247 permits
- Do I need an electrical permit in San Antonio? The licensed-contractor rule, fees and 15,456 permits
- Buildings Safety Engineering and Environmental Department Frequently Asked Questions — City of Detroit (2026-10-24)
- BSEED Fee Schedule, effective 1 January 2024, modified 18 July 2025 — City of Detroit (2026-10-24)
- City of Detroit Accela Citizen Access (2026-10-24)
- Building Permits — City of Detroit Open Data (2026-10-18)