Building an addition or dropping a shed in your backyard in West Michigan requires a bit of geographic navigation. Kent County does not have a central building permit office.
Instead, you must apply with one of the 30+ local cities, villages, or townships. But while the offices are different, they all enforce the Michigan Construction Code. This means they all demand a site plan (plot plan) that proves your project fits within legal property lines and zoning setbacks.
Do You Need a Site Plan for a Small Permit in Kent County?
Yes. If your exterior project requires a building permit from your local municipality, a site plan (plot plan) is required.
Most local building departments (such as Grand Rapids, Alpine Township, and Plainfield Township) require the plot plan to show:
- Property lines with exact dimensions and total lot area.
- Setbacks (the shortest distance from the proposed structure to all lot lines).
- Existing structures and the proposed construction.
- Easements, driveways, and adjacent street names.
- Well and septic locations (if applicable).
- Water bodies (if within 500 feet of proposed construction).
- A North arrow and an indicated scale (1″=10′, 20′, 30′, 40′, 50′, 60′ or 100′ preferred).
- The Kent County Property ID (Parcel Number).
Who Runs Into This in Kent County
- New homeowners who search the Kent County website for a building permit application, only to realize they need to apply through the City of Wyoming or Kentwood.
- Grand Rapids residents who submit a site plan without marking the Required Build Line (RBL), failing to comply with the city's specific form-based zoning code.
- DIY shed builders who assume a 250-square-foot shed is exempt from permits, ignoring Michigan's strict 200-square-foot exemption limit.
- Rural residents in Cannon or Nelson Township who submit a plot plan to the township but forget to coordinate septic approval with the Kent County Environmental Health Department.
What Needs a Site Plan in Kent County
- Fence permit site plan — Fences over 7 feet require a building permit. Fences under 7 feet require zoning compliance, meaning a site plan is often needed to prove you aren't blocking a right-of-way.
- Shed permit site plan — Required for sheds over 200 sq ft. (Sheds 200 sq ft or less are exempt from building permits statewide, but still require zoning approval). Note: Any size shed located in a floodplain requires a permit.
- Deck permit site plan — Required. Decks larger than 16 sq ft require permits. Decks at sliding glass doors wider than the door opening also require permits.
- Patio permit site plan — Required for elevated patios or projects near water bodies.
- Pool permit site plan — Required for above-ground and in-ground pools, hot tubs, and spas. Must show barriers and setbacks.
- Garage permit site plan — Required for detached garages and pole buildings.
- Addition permit site plan — Required. Must show the expanded footprint, new setbacks, and exact distances to property lines.
Why This Trips People Up in Kent County
The Jurisdiction Divide. Kent County only handles specific elements of land use (like soil erosion, road access, and environmental health). If you live in Grand Rapids, you apply through the city's Building Safety Services. If you live in Cascade Charter Township, you use the township's building department. You must check your jurisdiction on the Kent County GIS before applying.
The 200 Square Foot Exemption. The Michigan Stille-DeRossett-Hale Construction Code Act states that detached accessory structures (sheds) 200 square feet or smaller do not require a building permit. However, they do require zoning approval. You still need a plot plan to prove to the city/township that your exempt shed meets the minimum setback requirements. (Note: some Kent County jurisdictions have specific rules triggering permits at 301 sq ft, but 200 sq ft is the safest statewide baseline).
County Health Approvals. If your property uses a septic system or well, the township cannot issue your building permit until the Kent County Environmental Health Department approves your site plan to ensure the new addition or pool isn't crushing your drain field.
Lines and Grade Surveys. Effective late 2025, developments on lots smaller than half an acre that affect more than 500 sq ft of impervious area may require a formal Lines and Grade Survey, increasing the scrutiny on stormwater management.
Zoning and Setbacks in Kent County
Setbacks vary depending on which of the 30+ municipalities you live in.
Examples of Variation:
- State Baseline: Michigan law caps setbacks in metropolitan areas at 15 feet from the front property line and 5 feet from the sides and back, though local rules often expand these.
- Cannon Township (Rural): Often requires a 50 ft front, 15 ft side, and 25 ft rear setback for primary structures.
- Grand Rapids (Urban): Operates on a form-based zoning code. Plans must explicitly show the front setback or Required Build Line (RBL) on the site plan to ensure homes align properly with the streetscape.
How the Tool Handles This — 5 Steps
SitePlans.ai loads Kent County parcel data so you can generate the scaled plot plan required by your specific city or township:
- Enter your address — Lot lines load from the Kent County GIS records.
- Place your project — Add your deck, pool, or pole barn to the lot.
- Set the Scale — Generate the plan at a standard scale (e.g., 1"=20') preferred by local building departments.
- Label the setbacks — Drop distance lines to prove your project meets the specific zoning rules (or RBL) of your municipality.
- Export a clean PDF — Download a professional, scaled plan ready for your city's digital portal or to be printed as the required multiple hard copies.
Where This Tool Fits — and Where It Doesn't
| Situation | Best path |
|---|---|
| Shed over 200 sq ft, deck, or standard addition | SitePlans.ai for the required homeowner-drawn plot plan |
| Verifying setbacks for an exempt 150 sq ft shed | SitePlans.ai to visualize layout and gain zoning approval |
| New home construction | Licensed Architect/Engineer/Surveyor required |
| Disputed property lines / missing iron pins | Licensed Land Surveyor required |
| Homes over 3,500 sq ft habitable space | Licensed MI Professional seal required on plans |
What This Doesn't Replace
SitePlans.ai helps create preliminary, conceptual site plans for projects where your local Kent County municipality allows homeowner-prepared drawings (like decks, sheds, and simple additions). It is not a licensed land survey or sealed engineering drawing. If you are building a new residential dwelling, or if your project requires a formal Lines and Grade Survey for stormwater, you must hire a licensed professional.
Comparison: Your Options for a Kent County Site Plan
| Method | Cost | Time | Stamp | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hand sketch | Free | 1–2 hrs | ✗ | Difficult to accurately draw to a recognized scale |
| SitePlans.ai | Free first plan | Minutes | ✗ | Automatically applies the required scale and generates a clean PDF |
| CAD drafter | $300–$800+ | 1–2 weeks | Sometimes | Overkill for most decks and sheds |
| Licensed MI Surveyor | $800–$2,500+ | 3–5 weeks | ✅ | Mandatory for new homes or disputed property lines |
| SitePlans.us (done-for-you) | Custom | 1–3 days | ✗ | Best if your first attempt was rejected by the local building inspector |
Common Mistakes That Delay Kent County Permits
- Applying to the county — Sending building permit applications to Kent County instead of the specific city or township building department.
- Ignoring the RBL in Grand Rapids — Submitting a site plan for a Grand Rapids property without explicitly labeling the Required Build Line.
- Missing water bodies — Failing to show a creek or pond that is within 500 feet of the proposed construction (a common requirement for environmental review).
- Ignoring county health approvals — Submitting a plot plan for a large addition to the township without first getting Kent County Environmental Health approval for the septic system.
- Assuming decks are exempt — Assuming a low-level deck doesn't need a permit. In Kent County, decks larger than 16 sq ft generally require a permit.
Support and Local Resources
- Kent County GIS / Parcel Viewer — accesskent.com/Property — CRITICAL for verifying your exact municipality.
- Grand Rapids Building Safety Services — grandrapidsmi.gov
- Kent County Environmental Health — accesskent.com/Health (for well/septic approvals).
- State of Michigan Construction Codes — (Verify state-wide rules like the 200 sq ft exemption).
- FEMA Flood Maps — msc.fema.gov
Nearby Counties
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does Kent County issue residential building permits?
No. Residential building permits are issued by the 30+ individual cities, villages, and townships (e.g., Grand Rapids, Kentwood, Alpine Township). Kent County handles supporting elements like septic, well, and road commission permits.
2. Do I need a permit for a shed in Kent County?
Under Michigan state law, a detached accessory structure (shed) that is 200 square feet or less generally does not require a building permit. However, it does require zoning approval from your local municipality, meaning you must still submit a plot plan to prove it meets setbacks. (Note: Any shed in a floodplain requires a permit).
3. Do I need a permit for a deck?
Yes. In Kent County, decks larger than 16 square feet require a permit. Decks located at sliding glass doors that are wider than the door opening also require permits.
4. What scale should I use for my plot plan?
Most Kent County municipalities accept standard engineering scales, preferring 1"=10', 20', 30', 40', 50', 60', or 100'. Always indicate the scale clearly on the drawing.
5. How do I know which city or township I live in?
Search your address on the Kent County GIS Parcel Viewer to confirm your exact legal jurisdiction, as mailing addresses and zip codes can be misleading.
6. Can I use SitePlans.ai for a permit in Kent County?
Yes. For residential accessory projects where a surveyor is not required, SitePlans.ai allows you to create the scaled and dimensioned PDF plot plan that your local city or township requires for zoning and building approval.
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Start Your Kent County Site Plan
Check your jurisdiction on the Kent County GIS first. Then, enter your address below to pull your property lines, place your project, label your exact setbacks, and download the scaled PDF you need for your local building department.
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