Van Buren Township

Frequently Asked Questions

Building and Planning Common Topics

How do I report a code of enforcement or complaint?
Where do I go to get a building permit?
Where do I report a road maintenance issue?
Wayne County Road Commission is in charge of all roadways in Van Buren Township. Please contact them directly by calling 313- 224-7600  or for more information click here Wayne County. 
How do I find out more information about tree clearing or construction inquires happening in my area?
Where do I find information about Zoning Ordinances?
The Van Buren Twp Zoning Ordinances can be reviewed by clicking here.  View the Township Zoning Map by clicking here. 

For questions or more information call 734-699-8913 or email building@vanburen-mi.org.
Can I build a shed, pole barn or detached garage?
Most residential properties are allotted a total area for detached accessory buildings that is equal to the property’s acreage multiplied by 1,280, up to a total of 4,800 square feet. At a minimum, owners of smaller lots without a garage can build a detached garage up to 528 square feet in area. For more information, please visit section 7.202 of our Zoning Ordinance. Click here to view the Van Buren Twp Zoning Ordinances. 

For more information please call 734-699-8913 or email building@vanburen-mi.org.
Can I build a fence at my lot?
Residentially zoned properties may have a privacy fence up to 6’ tall in the side or rear yard, and a decorative fence up to 2.5’ tall in the front yard. For more information, please visit section 7.205 of our Zoning Ordinance. Click here to view the Van Buren Twp Zoning Ordinances. 

For more information please call 734-699-8913 or email building@vanburen-mi.org.
Where do I get a driveway permit?
Wayne County is in charge of all driveway permits. Please contact them directly by calling 313- 224-7600 or click here for more information. 
Where do I get a well or septic field permit?
Wayne County is in charge of well and septic field permits. Please contact them directly by calling 313- 224-7600 or click here for more information. 
Where do I go to get a plumbing permit?
Where do I go to get an electrical permit?
Where do I go to get a mechanical permit?
Where can I view the Township's long term planning and future land use information?
Where do I go to get a shoreline permit?
Where do I go to get a sign permit?
I would like to attend a Planning Commission or Board of Trustees meeting, how can I do that?
Do I need a permit to put up a pool in my yard?

A building permit shall be obtained for alteration, erection, and construction of permanent above and below ground swimming pools and for any portable pool with a diameter exceeding twelve (12) feet or an area exceeding 100 square feet. Please visit section 7.206 of our Zoning Ordinance for local zoning regulations regarding pools or contact 734-699-8900, extension 9219 for more information regarding additional building code requirements regarding pools. Click here to view the Van Buren Twp Zoning Ordinances. 

After Hours Permitting Information

AFTER-HOURS PERMITTING INFORMATION

Please proceed with using our online system for your permit application needs. Please see the instructions for online permitting below. Please note: 

  • Any permit application may be filed online. However, many permits require submittal of plans or other information for review or other prerequisites that must be verified by staff during regular business hours of 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Certain permits, however, do not require plan review or other prerequisites and can be completely applied for and issued online.
  • Online permit examples. Some examples include roof permits1, interior air conditioning2 and furnace permits2, or hot water tank permits3.
    • 1Following receipt of a roofing permit application, the open board must be inspected by the building inspector prior to final inspection. To complete the inspection after hours, you must take detailed photographs of the open board and submit via an attachment to an email to building@vanburen-mi.org. In the subject line of the email, you must include the address and permit number.
    • 2Requires mechanical permit and electrical permit.
    • 3Requires mechanical permit and plumbing permit.
  • No online inspection scheduling. At this time we do not schedule inspections online. To schedule an inspection, call 734.699.6564.
  • Emergency inquiries. For emergency after-hours online permitting questions, please contact the Department Director at dpower@vanburen-mi.org or by calling 734.699.8900, extension 9392, and leaving a message. Your inquiry will be returned promptly.

 

INSTRUCTIONS FOR ONLINE PERMITTING.