Bolthole Index

Oakland County, Michigan

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Hazel Park, Michigan

Hazel Park, Michigan requires a building permit before constructing a building or structure, and the city Building Department receives building applications.12 Hazel Park administers its own zoning; Oakland County Health Division handles septic permits and inspections in Oakland County, including inside Hazel Park.34

At a glance

Building permits
Required before construction; apply through Hazel Park Building Department12
Zoning
City planning and zoning processes apply inside Hazel Park3
Application fee
$50 for building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, right-of-way and sign applications5
Septic permits
Oakland County Health Division issues septic permits and conducts inspections4
Owner-builder
Michigan licensing exemption for a home erected for your own use and occupancy on your own property; building permits still apply6
Water wells
Oakland County issues permits for private water wells; ask city planning about local well restrictions73
Moving in
A new or altered building needs a Certificate of Occupancy before use or occupancy8

Who to call

Building permits

Hazel Park Building Department

Building and trade applications, right-of-way and sign applications

(248) 546-4075

111 East Nine Mile Rd., Hazel Park, MI 48030

Planning & zoning

Hazel Park Planning & Economic Development Department

Zoning verifications, special land use, variances, rezoning and site plan reviews

248-546-4072

111 E. Nine Mile Rd. | Hazel Park, MI | 48030

Septic permits

Oakland County Health Division, Environmental Health Services

Onsite sewage disposal permits and inspections

248-858-1312

1200 N Telegraph Bldg. 34 East Pontiac, MI 48341

Online permits →

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 Hazel Park means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Hazel Park, MI?

Hazel Park requires a written building-permit application before construction of a building or structure, and a building permit when a structure’s use or occupancy changes.1 Ordinary repairs are exempt, but structural work, changes to required exits and work affecting health or safety fall outside that ordinary-repair exception.1 Hazel Park homes are subject to Michigan construction requirements, with residential provisions in the Michigan Residential Code.9

Michigan’s owner-builder licensing exemption applies when a person erects a residential structure for their own use and occupancy on their own property; the exemption does not remove building-permit, inspection or zoning requirements.6 Ask Hazel Park Building Department how to document an owner-builder application.10

Who issues building permits in Hazel Park, and what are the fees?

Hazel Park Building Department receives building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, right-of-way and sign applications to check building and zoning compliance.2 Use the city’s application forms and include an email address or a self-addressed stamped envelope to receive your building permit copy.2

Hazel Park lists a $50 application fee for each of those application categories and a $15 contractor-registration fee, effective March 31, 2026.5 The listed $50 charge is an application fee; ask the Building Department for the complete charges for your project.5 The department’s phone number and application-page link are in the office listing below.10

Does Hazel Park have zoning, lot-size rules and setbacks?

Hazel Park administers local zoning through its Planning & Economic Development Department, which handles zoning verifications, special land use requests, variances, rezoning and site plan reviews.3 Oakland County does not control local planning and zoning for its cities, villages or townships, so Hazel Park’s planning office is the appropriate starting point for a city parcel.113

Hazel Park publishes zoning-ordinance, zoning-map and use-table resources.12 Before committing to a lot, request a zoning verification and the applicable district’s minimum lot size, dwelling size, setbacks, coverage and height limits from city planning.3 We could not confirm those dimensional standards here; have city planning check the proposed home and site plan together.13

How do septic permits work inside Hazel Park?

Oakland County Health Division’s Environmental Health Services handles septic permits and construction and final inspections for onsite systems in Oakland County, including Hazel Park.4 A new residential onsite sewage disposal system requires a new-system permit application.14 County septic applications can be submitted through the Citizen Access Portal after registering an account, or at a county office.15 Required inspections appear on the septic permit; if no special inspection is listed, the county requires a final inspection before covering the system.16

For Hazel Park premises with plumbing fixtures or drainage piping, Michigan requires connection to a public sewer where available, or otherwise an approved private sewage disposal system.17 Ask city planning and the Building Department about service availability and local connection requirements before designing a septic system.1310

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Hazel Park?

We could not confirm permission to occupy an RV, camp on private land, install a manufactured home or occupy a tiny home in Hazel Park; ask city planning about the proposed use at the exact address before buying.13 Hazel Park’s planning office handles zoning verifications and special land use requests, while the Building Department checks building and zoning compliance on construction applications.32

For a proposed small permanent home, ask city planning to confirm the district’s dwelling-size requirements and whether an accessory dwelling is allowed.13 A new or altered building subject to Michigan’s construction code cannot be used or occupied until the code official issues a Certificate of Occupancy.8

Building a home in Hazel Park: what are the steps?

  1. Ask Hazel Park city planning for zoning verification and a review of the proposed use and site layout.3
  2. Confirm public-sewer availability with the Building Department; Michigan requires public-sewer connection where available or an approved private sewage disposal system otherwise.1017 If a septic system is proposed, contact Oakland County Environmental Health Services for the septic application.4
  3. Submit the written building-permit application before construction, with scaled plans and a site plan showing existing and proposed structures.18
  4. Coordinate required construction inspections with the enforcing agency and septic inspections with the county when applicable.1916
  5. Complete the required work and final approvals, and obtain the Certificate of Occupancy before moving in.8

For a parcel outside Hazel Park, use the Oakland County guide and identify the municipality responsible for local zoning.20

Watch-outs

  • Hazel Park’s $50 building application fee should not be treated as a complete project price; ask the Building Department for the project’s full fee calculation.5
  • We could not confirm Hazel Park’s RV-occupancy or tiny-home permissions; request a parcel-specific zoning answer from city planning before relying on either housing option.13
  • Oakland County issues private-well permits, but ask Hazel Park city planning about municipal well restrictions before arranging drilling.713
  • Michigan prohibits new residential construction in a regulated floodway; ask city planning and EGLE to resolve floodplain questions before planning construction or fill.21

Sources

  1. Building Permit Information (Hazel Park), quoted and re-checked
  2. Building Department (Hazel Park), quoted and re-checked
  3. Planning Department (Hazel Park), quoted and re-checked
  4. Onsite Sewage Disposal System (Septic), quoted and re-checked
  5. Building Department fee notice (Hazel Park), quoted and re-checked
  6. Frequently Asked Questions – Residential Builder (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  7. Well and Water Services, quoted and re-checked
  8. Certificate of Occupancy Request (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. Michigan Building Code information (Hazel Park), quoted and re-checked
  10. Hazel Park Building Department (hazelpark.org)
  11. Local Community Planning & Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  12. Amendments to Zoning Map (Hazel Park), quoted and re-checked
  13. Hazel Park Planning & Economic Development Department (hazelpark.org)
  14. Onsite Sewage Disposal System (Septic), quoted and re-checked
  15. Oakland County Health Division, Environmental Health Services (oaklandcountymi.gov)
  16. Onsite Sewage Disposal System (Septic), quoted and re-checked
  17. Michigan Part 7 Plumbing Code Rules (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. Stille-DeRossett-Hale Single State Construction Code Act, MCL 125.1510 (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. courts.michigan.gov (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  20. Local Community Planning & Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  21. Floodplains (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked

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 Hazel Park

Hazel Park’s own rules

  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Hazel Park city limits; the city administers its own planning and zoning processes.

    • The city planning department handles zoning verifications, special land use requests, variances, rezoning requests, and site plan reviews.
    “The Planning & Economic Development Department is responsible for assisting residents, business owners, and developers with planning and zoning processes. This includes zoning verifications, Special Land Use requests, variances, rezoning requests, signage, and in many cases, Building Permits and site plan reviews.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Hazel Park city zoning districts and zoning-map amendments, including RA-1 and RA-2 one-family residential districts, RC multiple-family residential district, B-1/B-2 business districts, M-1 light manufacturing district, and P-1 parking district.

    • The cited map-amendment page is a list of amendments and does not by itself provide a complete current dimensional schedule.
    “HAZEL PARK ZONING ORDINANCE: ZONING ORDINANCE (amended effective 6/26/2026) ZONING MAP USE TABLE”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, right-of-way, and sign permit applications inside Hazel Park city limits.

    • The city page states the fees are effective March 31, 2026.
    • The listed application fee is $50.00 for each identified permit category.
    • Contractor registration fees are $15.00.

    application fee: 50 USD (Building, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Right-of-Way, and Sign Permits) · contractor registration fee: 15 USD

    “Please be advised that, effective March 31, 2026, application fees for Building, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Right-of-Way, and Sign Permits are $50.00; Contractor Registration fees are $15.00.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, right-of-way, sign, and related permit processing inside Hazel Park city limits.

    • The Building Department receives plans and permits for the listed categories.
    • The city provides application forms and contractor-registration materials on its official page.
    • Applicants should provide a self-addressed stamped envelope or email address to receive a copy of the permit.
    “The Building Department receives building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, right-of-way and sign plans and permits to ensure compliance with building and zoning laws.”

Rules another office applies inside Hazel Park

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

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction of a building or structure, and changes in use or occupancy, inside Hazel Park city limits, subject to the appropriate enforcing agency.

    • Ordinary repairs do not require a permit.
    • Ordinary repairs exclude structural work, changes to required means of egress, and work affecting public health or general safety, including specified utility, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work.
    • The application must be submitted to the appropriate enforcing agency.
    “Before construction of a building or structure, an owner, or the owner's builder, architect, engineer, or agent, shall submit an application in writing to the appropriate enforcing agency for a building permit. A permit is also required when the use or occupancy of a structure or portion thereof is changed.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Buildings and structures inside Hazel Park city limits under the Michigan Building Code and Michigan Residential Code.

    • The Michigan Residential Code contains provisions for one- and two-family dwellings.
    “The Michigan Building Code controls all matters concerning the construction, alteration, addition, repair, removal, demolition, use, location, occupancy, and maintenance of all buildings and structures and their service equipment. Presently, provisions for one- and two-family dwellings are included in the Michigan Residential Code.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder licensing or permitting exemptions applicable inside Hazel Park city limits.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificate-of-occupancy requirements inside Hazel Park city limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in Hazel Park residential zoning districts, including RA-1 and RA-2.
  • Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size in Hazel Park residential zoning districts, including RA-1 and RA-2.
  • Setbacks — Building setbacks in Hazel Park residential zoning districts, including RA-1 and RA-2.
14 more unanswered
  • Lot coverage
  • Building height
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Building in a floodplain

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 Hazel Park publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Oakland County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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