Inspections Division
City Hall, second floor, Room 208
Telephone: (989) 759-1421
Fax: (989) 759-1592
Permitting Hours:
Monday through Friday
8:00 am - 9:00 am
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
* Permit Hours change between April & September, please contact office for permitting hours during these times.
The function of this division is to protect the general health, safety and welfare of the public administering and enforcing the City's building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, housing and general codes and other ordinances. The division is also responsible for aspects of the Zoning Code, historical issues and the dangerous building program. In combination, these efforts are designed to enhance the quality of life for residents, fight blight and to eliminate unsafe living conditions.
Building Inspections
Headed by the Chief Building Inspector and includes:
- Building Inspector
- Electrical Inspector
- Mechanical Inspector
- Plumbing Inspector
The City's mechanical & Plumbing Inspectors are the same person.
New construction or certain types of of remodeling will require plans ( usually sealed/stamped by an architect or engineer.) Residential and commercial developments require different levels of plans.
New Construction - Residential Requirements
Usually secured by a licensed contractor with an approved site plan.
New Construction - Commercial / Industrial Requirements
- Site Plan Review - Planning Commission Meeting (4th Tuesday of each Month)
- Plan Review - After P.C. approval, the building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical inspectors review the plans in preparation for the permitting process.
- Building permit
- Plumbing permit
- Electrical permit
- Mechanical permit
Usually secured by the primary developer or the subcontractor for each process (building, mechanical, etc)
Housing Inspections
Housing Inspections is headed by the Chief Building Inspector and Includes Code Enforcement Inspectors & Code Enforcement Specialists as well as a DBO Officer.
Code Enforcement Inspectors & Code Enforcement Specialists
Their primary responsibility is to inspect all the registered rental property in the City of Saginaw. City and State authorities provide the standards to which the codes are established to protect the health and safety of the occupants,
The secondary function is to inspect complaints that are generated by the City Clerk's Office, This would include such things as:
- No heat, no water in a rental
- Unregistered Rentals
- No smoke alarms
- Infestation
- Overcrowding
- Trash/Debris
- Parking on the lawn
If a resident of the City of Saginaw proposes to rent their property, the proper sequence is as follows:
- Complete a seperate NonOwner Occupied Residence Form for each location to be registered.
- Please return application and a photo copy of the owner or applicant’s driver’s license or state identification card to:
City of Saginaw
City Clerk’s Office
1315 S. Washington
Saginaw, Michigan 48601
- Initial registration payment is due upon return of application. Make checks payable to the City of Saginaw Treasurer. Renewal fees are due each year by March 15th; there is a 100% penalty for late payments.
- Schedule an inspection appointment by calling (989) 759-1421 or by visiting Room 208 at City Hall.
- When the unit complies, it may be rented.
- Any updates in mailing address/contact information must be submitted directly to the City Clerk’s Office.
DBO Officer
DBO - Dangerous Building Ordinance
- Inspects and catalogs all properties that are abandoned, partially destroyed by fire or neglect
- Prepares them for rehabilitation or demolition through the proper channels
- Handles complaints regarding homeless individuals in abandoned buildings
- Complaints of drug dealing and gang activity in abandoned buildings
- Emergency fire demolition