The Building Code. The purpose of the building code is to insure public safety, health and welfare insofar as they are affected by building construction, through structural strength, adequate egress facilities, sanitary equipment, light and ventilation, and fire safety: and, in general, to secure safety to life and property from all hazards incident to the design, erection, repair, removal, demolition or use and occupancy of buildings, structures or premises.
What is a building code? The building code controls all matters concerning the construction, alteration, addition, repair removal, demolition, use, location, occupancy, and maintenance of all buildings and structures and their service equipment. The 2012 Michigan Building Code went into effect statewide on October 09, 2014. Provisions for one- and two-family dwellings, townhouses and their accessory structures as identified in R101.2 are included in the 2009 Michigan Residential Code.
Are building permits necessary? Before construction of a building or structure, and owner, or the owner's builder, architect, engineer, or agent shall submit an application in writing to the appropriate enforcing agency for a buiilding permit. A permit is also required when the use or occupancy of a structure or portion thereof is changed.
A permit is not required for ordinary repairs. Ordinary repairs to structures may be made without permit, but such repairs shall not include the cutting away of any wall, partition or portion thereof, the removal or cutting of any structural beam or bearing support, or the removal or change of any required means of egress, or rearrangement of parts of a structure affecting the exit requirements: nor shall ordinary repairs including addition to, alteration of, replacement or relocation of any standpipe, water supply, sewer drainage, drain leader, gas soil, waste, vent or similar piping, electric wiring or mechanical or other work affecting public health or general safety.