Building Department

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Department Functions

Role and Objectives

The Department of Building Safety is responsible for the "firm but fair" implementation and enforcement of City and State codes relating to the construction, remodeling, alteration, repair and demolition of buildings and structures located within the City.

The purpose of such codes is to provide minimum standards to ensure public safety, property protection and maintenance and personal welfare by regulating and controlling the numerous factors during the construction process.

To ensure that construction work complies with applicable codes, the City requires comprehensive plans for most types of projects, and inspections are conducted at periodic stages of the work.

The City staff and its outside consultants strive to provide quick and accurate construction project plan review and permit issuance services, and will do everything possible to assist in processing applications. Although the staff does not provide specific design services, the City does strive to provide sufficient assistance and direction to assist applicants through the process.

Building Department Codes

The Department of Building Safety is responsible for the enforcement of all City codes, and laws and ordinance relating to building, wiring, plumbing, heating and cooling.

The department issues all permits for building and construction, conducting inspections by licenseded inspectors to ensure sound work.
All plans are reviewed by licensed plan reviewers before permits are issued. The City of Bloomfield Hills staff will meet with builders, architects and engineers prior to the start of large construction projects to review city ordinances and codes as they relate to the proposed construction. The Codes adopted by the City of Bloomfield Hills are:

• Building
  • Commercial – 2009 Michigan Building Code (incorporating the 2009 edition of the International Building Code)
  • Residential- the 2009 Michigan Residential Code (incorporating the 2009 edition of the International Residential Code)
  • Michigan Uniform Energy Code-2009 Version
• Plumbing -Michigan Plumbing Code 2009 (incorporating the 2009 edition of the International Plumbing Code)
• Mechanical - Michigan Mechanical Code 2009 (incorporating the 2009 edition of the International Mechanical Code)
• Health Regulations contact the:
  Oakland County Health Department
  27725 Greenfield Rd.
  Southfield, MI 48076-3625
• Fire Prevention - International Fire Code (2006 Edition with amendments)
• Electrical - Michigan Electrical Code (incorporating the 2008 edition of the National Electrical Code)
• Michigan Barrier Free Design (Act 1 of 1966, MCL as amended and incorporating the 2009 International Building Code)