Ann Arbor — Ch. 105 Housing Code § 8:518
Permits
Operative Text
Provisions contained elsewhere in the Ann Arbor City Code for obtaining permits and use of licensed contractors shall apply to work undertaken to bring dwellings into compliance with this chapter. In addition, the following provisions shall apply, and in case of conflict with other chapters of this Code, shall be controlling: (1) Submission of plans. Before construction or alteration of a building or structure, or conversion of a building for use as a dwelling is commenced, and before a permit may be issued, the owner, his/her agent, architect or engineer, shall submit plans and an application for permit to the Building Official. The application shall be on forms provided by the department. The application shall be accompanied by 2 copies of plans and specifications or a detailed statement of the work to be performed. Where applicable a plot plan shall be included. The specifications, plans and statements shall be filed with the Building Official and be public record, but no specifications, plans or statement shall be removed from the custody of the Building Official. (2) Examination of plans and conditions for issuance of permit. The Building Official shall cause such plans and specifications to be examined. If the plans and specifications conform to the provisions of this Code, the Building Official shall issue a permit therefore. The Building Official may approve changes in plans and specifications previously approved, if the plans and specifications when so changed are in conformity with this Code. The construction, alteration or conversion of a dwelling, building or structure, or any part thereof shall not be commenced until a permit is issued. A permit shall not be issued and no plan approved for any work which does not conform to the provisions of this Code or approved variances. The construction, alteration, or conversion of a dwelling, building or structure shall be in accordance with the approved specifications and plans. (3) Termination of permit. A permit or approval issued by the Building Official shall become invalid if the authorized work is not commenced within 6 months after issuance. The Building Official may revoke or cancel a permit or approval in case of neglect or failure to comply with any provisions of this Code or in case any false statement or representation is made in the specification, plans or statements submitted for such permit or approval.
Ann Arbor — Ch. 105 Housing Code § 8:518 establishes the permit process that must be followed before any construction, alteration, or conversion of a dwelling can begin. Plans and specifications must be submitted to the Building Official for review, and no work may start until a permit is formally issued. Permits expire if work does not begin within six months, and they can be revoked for code violations or misrepresentations in submitted documents.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers undertaking construction, alteration, or conversion work to bring dwellings into compliance should be familiar with Ann Arbor — Ch. 105 Housing Code § 8:518, which requires that plans and specifications be submitted to the Building Official before any work commences. Compliant operators typically ensure their applications are complete, accurate, and accompanied by the required copies of plans, and they begin authorized work within the six-month window to avoid permit expiration. Providing false or misleading information in permit applications is grounds for revocation, so thorough and honest documentation is a hallmark of compliant practice.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Ann Arbor — Ch. 105 Housing Code § 8:518 requires that landlords obtain proper permits before beginning construction or conversion work on a dwelling, meaning tenants have an interest in knowing whether required permits were secured for any significant work performed on their unit or building. If work appears to have been done without a permit, or if a landlord claims compliance work was completed but no permit was obtained, tenants may inquire with the Ann Arbor Building Official, whose permit records are public documents under this provision. Tenant-rights organizations in Ann Arbor can help residents understand how unpermitted work may relate to habitability standards or other protections under the Housing Code.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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