Oakland County operates on decentralized permitting. You will not find a central county office that issues deck or shed permits.
Instead, you must apply with one of the 61 local cities, villages, or townships. But while the offices are different, the rules are largely the same. To get an addition, pool, or large accessory structure approved, you must submit a detailed plot plan that proves you aren't violating local zoning or state building codes.
Do You Need a Site Plan for a Small Permit in Oakland 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 Groveland Township and Wolverine Lake) require the plot plan to show:
- Property lines with exact dimensions.
- Setbacks (the distance from the proposed structure to all property lines).
- Existing structures and the proposed construction.
- Easements, drainage swales, and utility lines.
- Driveways, patios, and retaining walls.
- Well and septic locations (if applicable).
- A North arrow and an indicated scale (typically 1″ = 20′).
- Grade elevations (existing and finish grade at the four corners of the lot, often required for new construction).
Who Runs Into This in Oakland County
- New homeowners who spend hours on the Oakland County website trying to apply for a deck permit, not realizing they need to apply through the City of Troy.
- Shed builders who purchase a massive 250-square-foot shed, assuming it is exempt from permits, only to be hit with a code violation for exceeding Michigan's 200-square-foot exemption limit.
- DIYers who sketch a plot plan without noting a recorded utility easement, resulting in the township rejecting the plan.
- Rural residents in Springfield Township who submit a site plan to the township but forget they also need a septic approval from the Oakland County Health Division.
What Needs a Site Plan in Oakland County
- Fence permit site plan — Fences require zoning review. A site plan is needed to prove the fence isn't blocking a right-of-way or violating corner lot sightlines.
- 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).
- Deck permit site plan — Required. Attached decks always require a permit. Freestanding decks over 30 inches above grade also require a permit.
- Patio permit site plan — Required for exterior improvements, and may trigger a soil erosion permit if earth disturbance is significant.
- Pool permit site plan — Required. Must show pool location, equipment, barriers, and setbacks.
- Addition permit site plan — Required. Must show the expanded footprint, new setbacks, and exact distances to property lines.
- Driveway / Earthwork — Moving significant earth or adding a new driveway requires a plot plan for the local municipality, plus potentially an Oakland County Road Commission or Drain Commission permit.
Why This Trips People Up in Oakland County
The 61 Municipalities. Oakland County is massive and diverse. If you live in a dense city like Royal Oak, your setbacks and rules will be drastically different from someone living on acreage in Groveland Township. You must identify your exact jurisdiction using the Oakland County GIS before you start drawing.
The 200 Square Foot Exemption. The Michigan Stille-DeRossett-Hale Construction Code Act is very clear: detached accessory structures (sheds) that are 200 square feet or smaller do not require a building permit. However, they do require zoning approval. You still need a site plan to prove to the township that your exempt shed is not sitting directly on the property line.
County vs. City Responsibilities. While the city issues the building permit, Oakland County still holds cards in the process. If you are on a well or septic system, the Oakland County Health Division must approve your site plan. If you are disturbing significant earth, the Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner requires a soil erosion permit.
Scale Requirements. Many townships explicitly ask for plot plans to be drawn at a scale of 1 inch = 20 feet. If you submit an unscaled sketch on notebook paper, the building inspector will reject it.
Zoning and Setbacks in Oakland County
Setbacks vary wildly depending on which of the 61 municipalities you live in.
Examples of Variation:
- Royal Oak (Urban): Minimum setback for all structures is typically 25 feet from any public road right-of-way.
- Typical Suburban (R-2/R-3): 50 ft front setback; 15 ft side setback; 35 ft rear setback.
- Springfield Township (Rural/Ag): Structures for animals must be 200 feet from a neighbor's dwelling and 100 feet from all lot lines.
- Waterfront Lots (e.g., Commerce Township): Waterfront setbacks are heavily scrutinized and often require the same setback distance as the front yard.
How the Tool Handles This — 4Steps
SitePlans.ai loads Oakland 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 Oakland County GIS records.
- Place your project — Add your deck, pool, or 250 sq ft shed to the lot.
- Label the setbacks — Drop distance lines to prove your project meets the specific zoning rules 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 two 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 / waterfront boundary | Licensed Land Surveyor required |
| Retaining walls over 4 feet | Licensed Structural Engineer required |
What This Doesn't Replace
SitePlans.ai helps create preliminary, conceptual site plans for projects where your local Oakland 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 you cannot identify your property boundaries on a waterfront lot, you must hire a licensed professional.
Comparison: Your Options for an Oakland County Site Plan
| Method | Cost | Time | Stamp | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hand sketch | Free | 1–2 hrs | ✗ | Difficult to accurately draw to a 1" = 20' 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 Oakland County Permits
- Applying to the county — Sending building permit applications to Oakland County instead of the specific city or township building department.
- Wrong scale format — Submitting a plot plan drawn at 1/4" = 1' (architectural scale) when the township explicitly requests 1" = 20' (engineering scale).
- Missing easements — Drawing a new detached garage directly over a recorded utility easement (which must be shown on the plot plan).
- Ignoring county approvals — Submitting a plot plan for a large addition to the township without first getting Health Division approval for the septic system capacity.
- Attached vs. Detached Deck confusion — Assuming a low-level deck doesn't need a permit. If a deck is attached to the house, it requires a permit in Michigan regardless of height.
Support and Local Resources
- Oakland County GIS Parcel Viewer — gis.oakgov.com — CRITICAL for verifying your exact municipality.
- Oakland County Health Division — oakgov.com/health (for well/septic approvals).
- Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner — (for soil erosion permits).
- 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 Oakland County issue residential building permits?
No. Residential building permits are issued by the 61 individual cities, villages, and townships (e.g., Troy, Farmington Hills, Springfield Township). Oakland County only handles supporting permits like septic, well, and soil erosion.
2. Do I need a permit for a shed in Oakland County?
Under Michigan state law, a detached accessory structure (shed) that is 200 square feet or less 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.
3. Do I need a permit for a deck in Michigan?
Yes, if the deck is attached to your house, it requires a building permit regardless of height. If it is a freestanding deck, it requires a permit if it is more than 30 inches above grade.
4. What scale should I use for my plot plan?
Many Oakland County municipalities (like Groveland Township) explicitly request plot plans to be drawn at a scale of 1 inch = 20 feet. Always verify with your local building department.
5. How do I know which city or township I live in?
Do not rely on your mailing address, as zip codes often cross municipal boundaries. Search your address on the Oakland County GIS Parcel Viewer to confirm your exact legal jurisdiction.
6. Can I use SitePlans.ai for a permit in Oakland County?
Yes. For residential accessory projects where a surveyor is not required, SitePlans.ai allows you to create the scaled (1" = 20') and dimensioned PDF plot plan that your local city or township requires for zoning and building approval.
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Start Your Oakland County Site Plan
Check your jurisdiction on the Oakland 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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