Building

Commercial Buildings

The following items must be submitted to the building department at the time of application:

• A completed and signed application
  $310.00 Application fee
• Three hard copy sets of construction drawings, including plumbing, electrical, and mechanical drawings, all signed and sealed by a licensed architect or engineer
• A copy of the applicant's driver's license
• Completed Hazardous Materials Form
• A letter on your letterhead containing the following information: name of business, contact information, percentage of usage (office___ %, Warehouse___%, Other___%), proposed overnight storage, number of employees, last use

Certificate of Occupancy

No building or portion of a building may be occupied until a Certificate of Occupancy has been issued and obtained. A Certificate of Occupancy will be issued when construction is completed according to all applicable codes and all inspections have been approved. Certificate of Occupancy can be obtained the next business day after the last inspection has been approved. If you have any questions, please contact the Community Development Department at 248-364-6900.

Construction Hours and Debris

Ordinance No. 693 restricts construction to daylight hours with noise control and days of construction by builders. Please see the ordinance for complete details. Throughout the year, construction projects are underway in various locations within the City of Auburn Hills. Although certain inconveniences are expected during any construction, there may be circumstances where construction debris or other concerns arise outside of the normal anticipated disruptions.

Should any concerns arise, please contact the Community Development Department staff at 248-364-6900 during normal business hours. Please be prepared to provide staff with your name, address, telephone number, location of concern or problem, and as much detailed information as possible.

Construction Plan Review

Plans must be submitted to the Community Development Department for all commercial and residential construction in Auburn Hills. Please contact us for specific submittal requirements for your particular project. Residential and Commercial building permits can take 2 to 4 weeks to process.

Electrical, Plumbing, and Mechanical permits can be obtained online.

Demolition Permits

A permit is required for the demolition of any commercial or residential building. When submitting a permit to demolish a building, a written release from all utility companies, Oakland County Health Department, and the Department of Public Works is required. For more information, please contact the Community Development Department at 248-364-6900.

Detached Accessory Buildings

A Building Permit is required for any detached accessory building. All detached accessory buildings must comply with the setbacks for the zoning district they are in. Three (3) sets of construction plans must include the following:

• Exterior elevations, wall section detail, floor plan, and truss drawings, and all dimensions must be shown on plans.
• Three site plans showing dimensions of the property and location of the proposed accessory building, including setbacks from all property lines, all existing structures, and distances between the proposed accessory building and existing structures, septic field, well, easements, roadways, and rights-of-way.
• Copy of builder’s license and Act 135 form if a licensed builder is obtaining the permit. A homeowner affidavit is required if a homeowner is obtaining the permit.

Electrical Permits

Electrical permits are required to install new electrical services, relocate existing services, increase service, and connect fixed appliances or equipment. Electrical permit fees are based on the service size, number of circuits, and type of installation.

Mechanical Permits

Mechanical permits are required to install or replace any furnace or central air conditioner, ductwork installations, and gas piping installations. Mechanical permit fees are based on the size of the HVAC units, the number of gas outlets, and the type of installation.

Plumbing Permits

A Plumbing permit is required to install any new plumbing fixture, water heater, water system supply lines, and any new drain, waste, or vent pipes. Plumbing permit fees are based on the number of fixtures, drain lines, size of supply lines, and type of installation.

Zoning Ordinance

The City of Auburn Hills Zoning Ordinance controls the location, size, and height of structures such as buildings, garages, and house additions. The Zoning Ordinance also controls land use throughout the City. For example, you cannot conduct a commercial business in a residential area. If you believe someone may be violating the Zoning Ordinance or have a question about the ordinance, please contact the Community Development Department at 248-364-6900 during regular business hours. The Zoning Ordinance protects city residents, their homes, and businesses from conflicting activities nearby.

Zoning Board of Appeals

An application and the required fee for a variance must be submitted to the Community Development Department staff for inclusion on the Zoning Board of Appeals agenda.