Canton Township, MI: Building Services

What is Building and Inspection Services responsible for?

The Building and Inspection Services Division is located on the second floor of the Administration Building. This division is responsible for ensuring that township standards for local building codes, ordinances, and construction are met. The division also issues permits and handles ordinance complaints.

How many building permits do Building and Inspection Services average a year?

Over the past decade, the Building and Inspection Services Division issued an average of 1000 permits a year. residential building permits

What is the average on total number of permits issued each year?

In addition to building permits, Building and Inspection Services (BIS) issue several other permits each year including permits for plumbing, mechanical, fire alarms, electrical, signs, fences pools, mobile homes, and compliance. Since the year 2000, Building and Inspection Services has averaged over 10,000 permits a year. 2000-2005 Permit Activity Totals

What is a building code?

A building code is a set of laws that specify how buildings should be constructed. This is generally considered the minimum acceptable level of safety for a new building in a jurisdiction. Canton building codes include:

Structural safety: buildings should be strong enough to resist internally and externally applied forces without collapsing.
Fire safety: includes requirements to prevent the fire spread to/from neighbors, provide warning of occupants, and safe exiting of building, limitation on fire spread, and provisions for fire suppression/fire fighting.
Health requirements: adequate washrooms, adequate air circulation, and plumbing materials.

Specifications on components, allowable installation methodologies, minimum and maximum room, and exit sizes and location, and qualification of individuals or corporations doing the work.

Who can file an ordinance compliant?

Ordinance complaints can be filed by anyone – residents and business owners. Complaints are taken over the telephone or in person at the Building and Inspection Services Division. If the name of a complainant is offered for the record, the ordinance inspector will advise them when a complaint has been handled and closed. Inspectors also generate their own ordinance complaints when they see violations while in the field.

Depending on the nature of the violation, a complaint can take several days to several months of work to bring a violation into compliance. If a case is taken beyond the usual enforcement measures and into the court system, that time frame can stretch into a greater amount of time, depending on the court docket.

How is a complaint processed?

When an ordinance complaint is received, it is given a case number and assigned to an inspector. If verification cannot be made that a violation exists, the case is closed.

If verification of the violation is made, the inspector contacts the defendant preferably by phone or in person. If verbal contact is unsuccessful, the defendant is notified of the violation, as well as the applicable ordinance requirement, through the mail.

If the situation is not corrected, a “notice of violation” is issued, which specifies the number of days in which the defendant must correct the situation. If the situation is still uncorrected at the conclusion of that time limit, photographs are taken, and an appearance ticket for the 35th District court is prepared and mailed to the defendant.

The arraignment is set and the defendant is informed of the charges. He/she then pleads guilty or not guilty. If the defendant pleads guilty, the matter is concluded upon the court’s decision. If the defendant pleads not guilty, a pre-trial is set.

If the situation is not resolved at the pre-trial hearing, a trial date is established where the court will hear the case. Fines and/or court costs could be assessed by the court at this time.

May I park my camper/recreation vehicle in my driveway?

Only for a 48-hour period, for loading or unloading purposes. Full-time storage of your vehicle must be in an enclosed structure or in your side or rear yard – as long as you meet the requirement identified in the ordinance.

I want to build a deck. Where do I start?

Permits are required to do any type of home improvement or repair, including (but not limited to) decks, sheds, home additions, irrigation systems and other renovations. Contact Building and Inspection Services for details.

Are there ordinances regarding fences and pools?

A permit must be obtained before any fence is constructed or replaced, or any pool is installed. Additionally, there are a number or requirements that must be met. Check with Building and Inspection Services for details.

What about over grown yards?

All trees and shrubs must be kept trimmed so they don’t encroach upon any public sidewalk or pathway. Also, all landscaped grass areas must be maintained to ordinance requirements.

What’s the difference between ordinances and deed restrictions?

Most homeowners’ associations have their own set of deed restrictions, applicable to those who live in that particular subdivision. These deed restrictions may be comparable to Canton’s ordinances, which set minimum standards. Indeed, many deed restrictions are more restrictive than the local ordinances, and must be enforced by the homeowners’ association, not the township.

Why does a community need ordinances?

Ordinances promote an increased quality of life through improved maintenance of private property and the exterior of buildings. Ordinances are designed with quality of life and safety in mind.

How are ordinances created?

The Board of Trustees adopts ordinances in response to public need. Ordinances and ordinance amendments are initiated by staff, the Planning Commission and the Board of Trustees.

Can ordinances be changed?

Yes, if the community and the Board of Trustees see fit. Additional ordinances or amendments to those in the charter must be reviewed in a public hearing before they can be adopted at a later Board meeting.

Who enforces ordinances?

Enforcement is handled by inspectors, who work out of the Building and Inspection Services Division. Most inspectors are fully certified with the state, as well as with the Michigan Association of Code Enforcement Officers (MACEO). Canton’s ordinance inspectors handle over 2,000 ordinance violation complaints each year, for both residential and commercial property.

Public safety officers are a separate entity with different areas of enforcement and should not be confused with ordinance inspectors. Situations such as junk or unlicensed vehicles in the street, animal control, trespassing, disturbing the peace and blocking sidewalks are handled by public safety.

Building and Inspection Services

Building Official: John Weyer 1150 Canton Center S. Phone: 734/394-5200 Email: municipalservices@canton-mi.org

Building Official: John Weyer
1150 Canton Center S.
Phone: 734/394-5200
Email: municipalservices@canton-mi.org