Bolthole Index

Oakland County, Michigan

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Berkley, Michigan

Berkley, Michigan requires city approval before building, with inspections during construction and after completion.1 Berkley administers its own zoning ordinance; Oakland County Health Division handles septic permits where city sewer rules allow an onsite system.23 Berkley generally prohibits septic tanks and other sewage-disposal facilities except as provided in its sewer article.4

At a glance

Building permits
City approval required before building; apply through Community Development1
Zoning
Berkley zoning applies inside city limits2
Septic permits
Oakland County Health Division, subject to Berkley sewer restrictions35
Sewer connection
Required after notice for qualifying properties with public sewer within 100 feet of the property line6
Owner-builder
Michigan own-use licensing exemption does not waive building permits or zoning7
Occupancy approval
Qualifying residential projects need approved as-built drawings before final occupancy certification8

Who to call

Building permits

Berkley Community Development Department — Building

City building and trade applications, construction inspections and utility connection permits

248.658.3320

[email protected]

3338 Coolidge Highway Berkley, MI 48072

Online permits →

Zoning

Berkley Community Development Department — Planning and Zoning

City zoning, site-plan review, rezoning and development applications

248.658.3320

[email protected]

3338 Coolidge Highway Berkley, MI 48072

Septic permits

Oakland County Health Division

County onsite sewage permits and construction and final inspections where a system is allowed

248-858-1280

[email protected]

1200 N Telegraph Bldg. 34 East Pontiac, MI 48341

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 11, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Berkley means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Berkley, Michigan?

Berkley requires city approval before building and requires inspections while construction is underway and after completion.1 The city also requires permits for proposed construction or other development, including manufactured-home placement, so that floodprone locations can be identified.9

Start with Berkley Community Development for the building application and ask which trade applications accompany your plans.1 Michigan’s owner-builder licensing exception applies to a residential structure erected on your own property for your own use and occupancy; the exception does not remove building-permit, inspection, code or zoning requirements.7 Homeowners applying for trade permits must also complete the city’s homeowner affidavit.1

Who handles Berkley building applications and inspections?

Berkley Community Development accepts building application packages by email and in person at City Hall, and offers online applications through BSA Online.1 Send the application package to the building office rather than the county planning office.1 City staff will contact applicants about required building-permit fees and outstanding submission items.1

Berkley requires inspections during construction and after completion, so include inspection scheduling in your project plan.1 For new residential principal buildings and qualifying additions requiring a grading plan, final occupancy certification is withheld until the building official and/or city engineer approves the as-built drawings.8 A temporary certificate, when considered appropriate, requires a $1,000 cash bond and expires after 6 months.8

Does Berkley have zoning, and what about RVs and tiny homes?

Berkley has its own zoning ordinance, and the city states that all properties and uses within Berkley are governed by that ordinance.210 The city’s interactive zoning and land-use map identifies the applicable zoning district.10 Most non-single-family residential exterior construction work requires site-plan approval.10

We could not confirm a complete answer for residential RV use, tiny-home occupancy or accessory dwelling units in Berkley; ask Community Development whether your proposed dwelling and use are allowed in the parcel’s district.210 We also could not confirm the district-specific minimum lot size, dwelling size, setbacks, coverage or height limits; request the applicable dimensional requirements before committing to a design.10

How do septic permits and sewer connections work in Berkley?

Berkley prohibits constructing or maintaining privies, septic tanks, cesspools and other sewage-disposal facilities except as provided in the city sewer article.4 Qualifying occupied or used properties abutting a street, alley or right-of-way containing a public sanitary or combined sewer must connect at the owner’s expense within 90 days after official notice when the sewer is within 100 feet of the property line.6

Where an onsite system is legally allowed, Oakland County Health Division handles septic permitting; county approval does not remove Berkley’s sewer restrictions.35 New systems need a new septic application, and qualifying replacement, alteration or repair work needs a repair application.11 Required inspections are listed on the septic permit; when no special inspections are listed, a final before-covering inspection is required.12

What are the steps to building a home in Berkley?

First, identify the parcel’s zoning district on Berkley’s interactive map and discuss the proposed home with Community Development; the city encourages conceptual meetings for new construction and renovation.10 Next, resolve sewer service: Berkley’s connection requirement and restrictions on septic systems determine which sanitation proposal can proceed.64

Then submit the building application and supporting plans to the city building office, using email, City Hall or the available online application route.1 Arrange required construction inspections through the city before seeking occupancy approval.1 For residential projects covered by the grading-plan rule, obtain approval of as-built drawings before the final certificate of occupancy.8

What should you check before buying property in Berkley?

Ask Berkley Community Development about the intended use and the district’s dimensional requirements before purchasing property for a new home, tiny home or accessory dwelling; Berkley zoning governs city properties and uses.10 Confirm the proposed water and sewer work with the building office: Berkley requires utility permits for water or sewer connections and repairs.1 Driveway replacement or change requires a city zoning certificate.1

Floodprone development proposals receive city review for flood-damage reduction, utility placement and adequate drainage.13 For a private well proposal, Michigan requires a local-health-department permit or notification under the applicable county ordinance; ask Oakland County Health Division which requirement applies.14 If your search extends outside Berkley, consult the Oakland County guide for county responsibilities; local planning and zoning remain municipal functions.15

Watch-outs

  • A county septic permit does not override Berkley’s restrictions on onsite sewage systems.54
  • We could not confirm permission for tiny-home or accessory-dwelling occupancy in Berkley; ask city Community Development about the parcel’s zoning district.10
  • A temporary occupancy certificate for a qualifying grading-plan project expires after 6 months.8

Sources

  1. Berkley Community Development Department — Building (berkleymi.gov)
  2. Code of Ordinances, § 18-63, Compliance with zoning and building codes (Berkley), quoted and re-checked
  3. Oakland County Sanitary Code, Article XI (Berkley), quoted and re-checked
  4. Code of Ordinances, § 126-44, Privies and septic tanks (Berkley), quoted and re-checked
  5. Oakland County Proposed Use of Septic (Berkley), quoted and re-checked
  6. Code of Ordinances, § 126-66, Sewer connection required (Berkley), quoted and re-checked
  7. Frequently Asked Questions – Residential Builder (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  8. Code of Ordinances, § 26-336, Grading plan (Berkley), quoted and re-checked
  9. Code of Ordinances, § 26-312, Permits required (Berkley), quoted and re-checked
  10. Berkley Community Development Department — Planning and Zoning (berkleymi.gov)
  11. Onsite Sewage Disposal System (Septic), quoted and re-checked
  12. Onsite Sewage Disposal System (Septic), quoted and re-checked
  13. Code of Ordinances, § 26-312, Permits required (Berkley), quoted and re-checked
  14. Before you start a well drilling business (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  15. Local Community Planning & Zoning (2026 county census)

Written October 11, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Berkley

Berkley’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    All proposed construction or other development inside Berkley city, including placement of manufactured homes.

    • The permit requirement is for city review of whether the work is in a floodprone area.
    “The city shall require permits for all proposed construction or other development in the city, including the placement of manufactured homes, so that it may determine whether such construction or other development is proposed within floodprone areas.”
  • Building code adoptedPartial

    Building and property-maintenance regulation inside Berkley city.

    • The city adopts the 2015 International Property Maintenance Code by reference; the code also states that Michigan building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and fire codes are adopted by the city.
    “The city hereby adopts by reference the 2015 International Property Maintenance Code for the control of buildings and structures as provided in this article.”
  • Certificate of occupancyLimited

    New residential principal buildings and qualifying additions requiring a grading plan.

    • A final certificate of occupancy is withheld until as-built drawings are reviewed and approved by the building official and/or city engineer.
    • A temporary certificate may be issued when appropriate upon posting a $1,000 cash bond.
    • Temporary certificates expire six months after issuance.

    cash bond: 1000 USD (for a temporary certificate of occupancy, when determined appropriate) · temporary certificate duration: 6 months

    “A final certificate of occupancy shall not be issued until the "as builts" have been reviewed and approved by the building official and/or city engineer. A temporary certificate of occupancy may be issued, if determined appropriate, by the building official upon the posting by the permit holder or his authorized agent, of a cash bond in the sum of $1,000.00, said to be released upon approval of "as built" drawings and issuance of final certificate of occupancy. Temporary certificates of occupancy will expire six months after issuance.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Berkley city administers its own zoning ordinance under chapter 138.

    “chapter 138 , the zoning ordinance; chapter 26 , the general building regulations;”
  • Off-grid sanitationProhibited

    Privies, septic tanks, cesspools, and other sewage-disposal facilities inside Berkley city, except as provided in the sewer article.

    • The prohibition is subject to the exception stated in the article.
    “Except as provided in this article, it shall be unlawful to construct or maintain any privy vault, septic tank, cesspool or other facility intended or used for the disposal of sewage.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    Properties inside Berkley city used for human occupancy, employment, recreation, or other purposes and abutting a street, alley, or right-of-way containing a public sanitary or combined sewer.

    • Connection is required within 90 days after official notice.
    • The public sewer must be within 100 feet of the property line.
    • The owner pays installation and connection costs.
    • Berkley city code separately restricts septic systems except as provided in the sewer article.

    sewer distance from property line: <= 100 feet · connection deadline after official notice: 90 days

    “The owner of all houses, buildings or properties used for human occupancy, employment, recreation or other purposes, situated within the city and abutting on any street, alley or right-of-way in which there is now located or may in the future be located a public sanitary or combined sewer of the city, is hereby required at his expense to install suitable toilet facilities therein and to connect such facilities directly with the proper public sewer in accordance with the provisions of this article, within 90 days after the date of official notice to do so, provided that such sewer is within 100 feet of the property line.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    All proposed construction or other development inside Berkley city where floodplain review may be relevant.

    • The city requires permits for all proposed construction or development, including manufactured-home placement.
    • Floodprone subdivision and development proposals must be reviewed for flood-damage minimization, utility placement, and adequate drainage.
    “If a subdivision proposal or other proposed new development is in a floodprone area, any such proposal shall be reviewed to assure that: (1) All such proposals are consistent with the need to minimize flood damage within the floodprone area; (2) All public utilities and facilities, such as sewer, gas, electrical, and water systems are located and constructed to minimize or eliminate flood damage; and (3) Adequate drainage is provided to reduce exposure to flood hazards.”

Rules another office applies inside Berkley

Berkley does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

  • Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

    On-site sewage systems located inside Berkley city, to the extent any system is legally allowed under the city sewer ordinance.

    • Oakland County Health Division administers the county sanitary-code licensing and onsite-sewage permit process.
    • Berkley city separately prohibits septic systems except as provided in its sewer article.
    “Effective May 6, 2012 the Oakland County Sanitary Code, Article XI, requires anyone who installs onsite sewage disposal systems in Oakland County to be licensed by the Oakland County Health Division.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    New, replacement, alteration, or repair onsite sewage systems inside Berkley city where such systems are legally permitted.

    • A new onsite sewage disposal permit application is required for new systems serving qualifying residential property.
    • A repair onsite sewage disposal permit application is required for replacement, alteration, or repair of an existing system in the stated residential circumstances.
    • Berkley city sewer restrictions still apply.
    “A New Onsite Sewage Disposal Permit Application is required for construction or installation of a new onsite sewage disposal system.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Berkley or Oakland County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption from building permitting or contractor requirements inside Berkley city.
  • Inspections — Building inspections for construction inside Berkley city.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in Berkley city residential districts.
  • Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size in Berkley city residential districts.
  • Setbacks — Required setbacks in Berkley city residential districts.
10 more unanswered
  • Lot coverage
  • Building height
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Septic inspection
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • Permit fees

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Berkley publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Oakland County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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