STATEMENT OF POLICIES, REQUIREMENTS AND REGULATIONS
EFFECTIVE MARCH 29, 1997
REVISED 2/05/02
(Due to a court injunction against the 2003 Energy Code, the current Energy Code is in effect)
This document contains the polices, requirements and regulations of the Pittsfield Township Department of Building Safety as they pertain to the review, issuance and/or inspection of site plans, building and trade permits, code inspections, and certificates of occupancy. It is not intended to be all inclusive and is subject to change at any time without notice.
CODES:
Pittsfield Charter Township will be enforcing the 2003 Michigan Residential Code, 2003 Michigan Building Code, 2003 Michigan Mechanical Code, 2003 Michigan Plumbing Code and the 2002 Michigan Electrical code. This set of codes will be enforced State wide.
PERMITS:
The issuance or granting of a permit shall not be construed to be a permit for, or an approval of any violation of any of the provisions of the code or any other ordinance of the jurisdiction.
To obtain permits from this department may require any or all of the following material.
- Zoning and Site Plan Approval
- Construction Drawings
- Building, Electrical, Mechanical or Plumbing License
- Well and Septic Permit - Washtenaw County Health Approval or a Waiver Form
- Driveway Permit – Washtenaw Road Commission (734)761-1500
- Payment of Required Fees
Requirements for these items are as follows:
- SITE PLANS
- Single Family Residential Construction
A site plan of the parcel or lot is required for all new residential construction and for all other residential construction which involves an addition to, or a change in, the number, size or shape of any structure(s). Structures include such things as outbuildings, pools and fences in addition to houses. The site plan must show the following:
- Finish floor elevation.
- Bottom of footing elevation
- Elevation at lot corners and buildings.
- Grade contours for all subdivision lots.
- The size and location of new construction and existing structures on the site and distances from lot lines.
- All easements on the property.
- Overall outside dimensions of the buildings.
Photocopier enlargements of subdivision site plans will not be accepted. Residential site plans may be a maximum of 11 x 17 inches. Others must provide one copy reduced to 11 x 17 along with the required sets to scale. A Certification of Elevation and Location form must be completed by a licensed professional and received by the Township prior to the backfill inspection.
- Commercial, Multi-family, and Industrial Construction
New commercial, multi-family or industrial construction requires site plan approval by the Pittsfield Township Planning Commission. Additionally, any construction which involves an addition to, or a change in, the number, size or shape of any structure or landscaping also requires review of the amended site plan by the Commission. No permits will be issued until the site plan review is complete and signed copies of the approved or amended plan are received from the Planning Commission and approval from the Township Engineer.
- CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS
Construction documents shall be drawn upon suitable material. Construction documents shall be of sufficient clarity to indicate the location, nature and extent of the work proposed and show in detail that it will conform to the provisions of the code and relevant laws, ordinances, rules and regulations, as determined by the building official. Residential plans for structures under 3500 square feet of finished space are not required to provide electrical, plumbing or mechanical plans. One and two family residential plans under 3500 square feet of finished space may be submitted by a currently licensed Michigan Residential Builder or a qualified homeowner. All other drawings must bear the countersigned seal of a Michigan registered architect or engineer. Two sets of construction documents are required with one set being no larger than 11" by 17".
- BUILDING, ELECTRICAL, MECHANICAL OR PLUMBING LICENSE
Anyone making application for a permit must be licensed in the trade for which the permit is requested with the following exceptions:
- Commercial building permits (requires sealed plans).
- Qualified homeowners.
All residential builders, maintenance and alteration contractors, electrical contractors, mechanical contractors, plumbing contractors, fire protection contractors, alarm contractors, sign electrical contractors and mobile home installers must register with the Township prior to applying for permits. Registration requires the license holder to present his/her license, drivers license or proof of identification, federal identification number, workman's compensation carrier, and M.E.S.C. number and pay a registration fee.
- WELL AND SEPTIC PERMITS
In areas with private utilities, well and/or septic permits must be obtained from the Washtenaw County Health Department and a copy of the permits must be submitted with the building permit application.
- DRIVEWAY PERMITS
All new driveway construction, including subdivisions, require a permit from the Washtenaw County Road Commission. A copy of the permit must be submitted with the building permit application.
- FEES
All permit fees are established by resolution of the Township Board. The current fee schedule is available from the Building department.
INSPECTIONS:
Pittsfield Township provides inspection services through its Building Department for all required inspections except those requiring a licensed professional (surveyor or engineer). Services are provided by a combination of in-house and contract inspectors. All inspections are scheduled by the Pittsfield Township Building Department at 734 822-3103.
Inspections performed by in-house inspectors are done Monday through Friday between 10 AM and 4 PM. Electrical inspections are currently done by a contract inspector Monday through Thursday. (Note: Schedules may vary due to workload, vacation schedules and required class room time.)
Inspections must be requested one day in advance using the proper permit number. Late requests will be honored only if the workload permits. We can not guarantee an inspection time but for concrete inspections you may request an AM (10 am – noon) or PM (noon-4 pm). The inspectors are allowed, if their schedule permits, to provide a two hour window for an inspection time. These times are not guaranteed and must be scheduled directly with the field inspector and not with the office staff. All inspections are to be scheduled with the office staff and not with the inspectors. Time windows may only be given out after the inspection has been properly scheduled with the office staff.
All inspections which do not pass will require payment of a re-inspection fee. This includes lock-outs and missed appointments. Fees must be received prior to re-scheduling the inspection. Inspection fee schedules and required inspection lists are available from this Department.
Cancellations must be received before 9:00 AM the day of the inspection or a re-inspection fee may be charged. Inspections canceled or rescheduled more than once may be subject to a re-inspection fee.
One set of construction documents shall be kept at the site of work and shall be open to inspection by the building official or his or her authorized representative.
NOTE: No Inspections will be performed when proper property identification has not been provided. The inspection will be failed and a re-inspection fee will be assessed. All re-inspection fees are required to be paid prior to scheduling further inspections.
Property Identification – Pittsfield Charter Township Code of Ordinances, Section 6-353, Article VI states all property upon which houses, dwellings, buildings, mobile homes, businesses or other structures are located or proposed to be located or constructed within the township shall be considered developed and shall have property identification.
Fire protection system and fire alarm system inspections: Fire protection systems are inspected by the mechanical inspector and building inspectors . All piping, hydrostatic test and hood test will be completed by the mechanical inspector. The flow test is done through the Building Department. The flow test must be scheduled with the Building Departmnet office a minimum of five days in advance. The electrical inspector will inspect all fire alarm wiring and the building department will inspect the areas covered in the building code. All alarm systems must meet the requirements of the 2003 Michigan Building Code, 2002 Michigan Electrical Code as well as NFPA 72. Pittsfield Charter Township requires the installation of a Knox Box on all commercial projects. Please contact the Building Department for availability and placement.
Erosion and Sedimentation Control – Pittsfield Charter Township Code of Ordinances, Section 8, Article IV states all earth change activities in the township shall be conducted in such a way so as to prevent accelerated erosion and resulting sedimentation.
CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPANCY:
A certificate of occupancy must be obtained prior to occupying the following for any reason:
l. Any new structure.
2. A new addition to any structure or a change in area of habitable space.
3. Any structure which has had a change of use under the building code.
Commercial certificates of occupancy must be requested 10 working days in advance. Single family residential certificates require 5 working days notice. The site must meet the minimum requirements set forth in Chapter 16 of the Land Development Standards of Pittsfield Township. Temporary certificates will be issued for a maximum of 90 days only in the following circumstances:
l. Construction or site completion is delayed more than seven (7) days by weather.
2. Site completion, such as landscaping, can not be completed do to Township regulations.
3. Other unusual circumstances at the sole discretion of the Township.
Temporary certificates will not be issued due to construction delays, closing schedules, or poor planning on the part of the builder or purchaser.
OTHER DEPARTMENT POLICIES:
Four inches of clearance is required between basement window sills and the adjacent ground. Where a window well is required to provide the required clearance it shall provide four inches between the sill and the bottom of the well and be provided with an approved drain. Positive drainage is required for ten feet around the structure.
Location and Elevation Certificates are required prior to backfill and Final Grade Certificates are required for a final occupancy certificate.
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