Detroit’s Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department (BSEED) is the main authority for construction permitting, inspections, zoning administration, and code compliance. Building and trade permit applications are submitted through the City’s electronic Licensing and Permit System (eLAPS/Accela), with ProjectDox used for electronic plan review when drawings and supporting documents are required. BSEED’s Development Resource Center also helps applicants identify zoning and permitting requirements before filing.
Zoning is administered under Chapter 50 of the Detroit City Code. Depending on the proposed use and property, a project may require Site Plan Review, a Special Land Use hearing, zoning verification, or Board of Zoning Appeals action before a building permit can proceed. Detroit specifically requires Site Plan Review for several categories of development, including qualifying larger projects, conditional or regulated uses, and projects located in the 100-year floodplain.
Locally designated historic districts add another approval layer. Exterior work affecting properties within these districts is reviewed by the Detroit Historic District Commission, which issues a Certificate of Appropriateness for approved work. Historic approval is obtained before BSEED issues the related building permit, and review can cover alterations, demolition, new construction, site improvements, fences, landscaping, and other exterior changes.
Work in streets, alleys, sidewalks, curbs, berms, and other public right-of-way is permitted separately by the Department of Public Works City Engineering Division. Utility installation, driveway approaches, sidewalk replacement, temporary closures, dumpsters, excavation, and encroachments can require a right-of-way permit. Applicants can start with BSEED and then confirm zoning, historic-district, floodplain, and public-way requirements for the site.