FAQ's Page
These are some questions that are asked in the Building Department. For
any question that you may have that you don't see the answer to here, please
contact the Township Office at 989-781-0150.
NOTE: This information is subject to change. You should always contact the
Thomas Township Building Inspector with questions.
249 North Miller Road
Saginaw, MI 48609
General Table of Contents
- When is a permit required ?
- Who should obtain the permit?
- How do you schedule inspections?
- When do I schedule inspections ?
- How do I file a complaint against a Builder ?
- When do I need a fill permit?
- What is a flood zone?
- Do I have wetland on my property?
Commercial Related FAQ
1- When is a Commercial Plan Review required?
2- When is a Site Plan Review required?
3- What codes are enforced by Thomas Township?
4- Are there local amendments to the building code?
5- What is the minimum footing depth?
6- What is the roof snow load?
7- What is the design wind speed?
8- What is the Seismic Design Class for Thomas Township in Saginaw County?
9- What does the energy code require?
10- Do I need an architect or engineer to obtain a plan review and building permit?
11- What is required for a set of drawings to be "sealed"?
12- Must the architect seal each page of a drawing set
13- What must I submit to receive a plan review?
14- How do I calculate the fee?
15- Are any other approvals or reviews required?
16- I want to build a factory, is there someplace I can find information about other regulations that would affect me?
17- I have an older building that I wish to renovate. Must I comply with Barrier Free requirements?
18- What about the ADA?
19- How can I be sure the architect I hired is licensed?
20- Where do I find the square foot cost amount used to determine the valuation of my project?
When do I need a building permit?
Anytime structural modifications are made to a residential building, a permit must be obtained. Also, anytime any electrical, plumbing, or heating work is done a permit should be obtained. All permitted work must be inspected and approved. Re-shingling a roof, replacing windows, or vinyl siding are considered as maintenance work and do not require a permit. But please understand that required egress windows may not be reduced in size if they are replaced. Any deck that is higher than thirty inches above grade or any shed or accessory structure over 120 square feet does require a permit. Any other specifics, please call the office. (989) 781-0150. Remember that zoning regulations apply to all structures constructed in any zoning district, so call the township before starting any project.
Anytime work is done in a commercial building, a permit must be obtained by a licensed contractor and the required inspections completed.
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Who should obtain the permit?
The person responsible for doing the work must obtain the permit. If a homeowner is hiring a contractor, the contractor should obtain the permit. The reason for this is that whoever pulls the permit is responsible for the work. The Building Department has no jurisdiction over a contractor if the homeowner obtains the permit for his contractor. In some situations a contractor must pull the permit. Call the Building Inspector if you have any questions.
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How do you schedule inspections ?
You will be given instructions for calling in to schedule inspections when you receive your permit. You can schedule building inspections up till 5 P.M. for the next day. The inspector will be at the location in most cases 24 hours after an inspection request is called in.
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When do I schedule Inspections ?
It is the responsibility of the permit holder to call for the rough and final electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and building inspections. Building inspections also include a footing and backfill inspection that must be called in. It is necessary to obtain final inspection approvals of the electrical, plumbing, and mechanical, prior to obtaining the final building inspection.
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How do I file a complaint against a Builder?
You have 18 months after the certificate of occupancy is issued to file a complaint with the Bureau of Construction Codes in Lansing. (517) 241-9254. They will send you paperwork to fill out. Bring the completed paperwork to the Township Building Department. The inspector will make an appointment to come to your home to verify your list of complaints. Your complaint will then be sent back to the Bureau to be processed. A mediation hearing is then set up between the builder and yourself with an arbitrator, who tries to mediate a satisfactory outcome for both parties.
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When do I need a fill permit?
A fill permit is required when you are filling in areas that are regulated flood plain or wetlands. A fill permit can be obtained by calling the local Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) located in Bay City. An engineered grading plan may be required.
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What is a flood zone?
A flood zone is determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. They publish maps indicating our communities flood hazard areas and the degree of risk in those areas. If you are told you need flood insurance, this is handled through your insurance carrier. If you do not believe this is necessary, you may have a flood elevation certificate filled out by an Engineer of your choice, to determine if your home is or is not in the actual flood plane.
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Do I have wetland on my property?
The only way you can determine whether or not there is wetland present on a piece of property is to have a wetland determination done. The Township has a wetland map, but it is only a guide. The map is not considered to list all of the regulated wetlands. Contact the local DEQ office in Bay City if you need additional information.
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Commercial Plan Review FAQ 2- When is a Site Plan Review required? 3- What codes are enforced by Thomas Township? 4- Are there local amendments to the building code? 5- What is the minimum footing depth? 6- What is the roof snow load? 7- What is the design wind speed? 8- What is the Seismic Design Class for Thomas Township in Saginaw County? 9- What does the energy code require? 10- Do I need an architect or engineer to obtain a plan review and building permit? 11- What is required for a set of drawings to be "sealed"? 12- Must the architect seal each page of a drawing set 13- What must I submit to receive a plan review? 14- How do I calculate the fee? 15- Are any other approvals or reviews required? 16- I want to build a factory, is there someplace I can find information about other regulations that would affect me? 17- I have an older building that I wish to renovate. Must I comply with Barrier Free requirements? 18- What about the ADA? 19- How can I be sure the architect I hired is licensed? 20- Where do I find the square foot cost amount used to determine the valuation of my project?
1- When is a Commercial Plan Review required? A plan review is required whenever a commercial building is erected, altered, enlarged, structurally repaired, moved, or converted to different use group (as defined in the building code). Note: Residential plan review is not covered in this overview, please contact the building Inspector to cover this subject. 2- When is a Site Plan Review required? A site plan review is required for new commercial buildings and additions to existing buildings. In addition it is also required when changing landscaping, parking area or layout, traffic flow in or around parking lots, new parking areas or when changing from grass cover to gravel or paved surface. Contact the Community Development Department with questions on this subject. 3- What codes are enforced by Thomas Township?
2003 Michigan Building Code (2003 IBC with changes) (effective Feb 29, 2004) 4- Are there local amendments to the building code? No. State Law no longer allows local jurisdictions to amend the building code. The Michigan Building Code (MBC) that is in effect statewide incorporates the 2003 International Building Code with state amendments. 5- What is the minimum footing depth? Minimum footing depth is 42 inches below finish grade. 6- What is the roof snow load? Design roof snow load must be determined in compliance with sections 1603.1.3 MBC, 1608 MBC, and section 7 of ASCE 7-98. The ground snow load is 30 pounds per square foot per Figure 1608.2 MBC 2003. 7- What is the design wind speed? Design wind speed is 90 MPH for a three second gust per Figure 1609 MBC 2003. 8- What is the Seismic Design Class for Lansing? Thomas Township is located in Seismic Design Class A. 9- What does the energy code require? Commercial buildings, other than residential buildings, must be designed and constructed to comply with the requirements in the state energy code. 10- Do I need an architect or engineer to obtain a plan review and building permit? Michigan State Law requires that work done on commercial buildings be under the seal and signature of a licensed architect or engineer. 11- What is required for a set of drawings to be "sealed"? The registered (licensed) architect or engineer must seal the drawings with either an embossed seal or a wet ink seal and then validate that seal with an original signature in ink. A set of plans that is "sealed" therefore contains both the seal and signature of the architect or engineer. Photocopies of a previously sealed drawing are not acceptable. The seal and signature on each set of submitted plans must be original. 12- Must the architect seal each page of a drawing set? The architect may seal each individual sheet within the set or they may seal an index page that lists all the pages within the set for which the architect is responsible. 13- What must I submit to receive a plan review? You must submit.
14- How do I calculate the fee? Please contact the Building Department of fee information. 989-781-0150. 15- Are any other approvals or reviews required? New buildings and additions require a Site Plan Review. Contact the Community Development Department for information. 989-781-0150. If the project involves the alteration or installation of a commercial kitchen, a review by the Ingham County Health Department is required. If the project is located near, or will affect a wetlands, a review and permit may be required from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. If the project is located in the flood plain, the project must comply with the requirements for flood proof construction or the project must be elevated out of the flood plain and a "Elevation Certificate" is required. 16- I want to build a factory, is there someplace I can find information about other regulations that would affect me? The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Environmental Assistance Division, produces the publication "Michigan Manufacturers' Guide to Environmental and Health and Safety Regulations". The publication is available in hard copy by calling 1-800-662-9278, or it is available online at the following link. 17- I have an older building that I wish to renovate. Must I comply with Barrier Free requirements? Alterations to any building must comply with the requirements of Michigan Barrier Free Design Rules (BFR). Additionally, an accessible route must be provided to the improved areas. Within the BFR, there are some exceptions for existing buildings meeting certain criteria. Contact our Office or your Design Professional to see if these exceptions may apply to your project. If you wish to seek a variance from the BFR, you must go to the Barrier Free Design Board of the State of Michigan. The Thomas Township has no authority to grant variances to the BFR. 18- What about the ADA? The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a Federal civil rights law, which Thomas Township has no authority to enforce. Therefore, we do not review projects for compliance with ADA. Contact your Design Professional with questions related to ADA. 19- How can I be sure the architect I hired is licensed? Ask to see his/her license or for his/her license number. Any reputable architect or engineer will be glad to give you this information. You can then check the license by following the link "Verify License" to check the status. If you wish, you can also search by name. Read the directions carefully. You may have to use "wildcards" in the search. 20- Where do I find the square foot cost amount used to determine the valuation of my project? The square foot values are found in the Building Department. Call 989-781-0150 if you have questions.
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