Roofing in Benton Township (Berrien County), Michigan

Required

Required

2015 Michigan Residential Code. This is state law and it is the same in every Michigan city, village, township and county: the state construction code act says "This act and the code apply throughout the state," and the Michigan Residential Code rule adopts "the international residential code, 2015 edition" with the state amendments in R 408.30500 to R 408.30547g. A 2021 edition was filed with the secretary of state in 2025 but has not taken effect. On July 7, 2025 the Michigan Court of Claims entered a stipulated order in Home Builders Assoc et al. v LARA et al., and the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) says that while that order remains in place "the 2015 versions of the IRC and residential provisions of the IECC standards currently adopted, in part, by each rule set will remain valid and in effect." LARA's Statewide Jurisdiction List names the Charter Township of Benton (Berrien County) as its own building code enforcer. Township Code Section 14-27 designates "the Chief Building Official of Benton Charter Township" as "the enforcing agency", without naming an edition. The homeowner affidavit on the township's building permit application says work "shall be installed in accordance with the 2021 Michigan Building Code governing this jurisdiction"; the Michigan Building Code is the state's code for buildings other than one- and two-family dwellings, which the 2015 Michigan Residential Code covers.

Plan on a building permit for a reroof in Benton Charter Township. The Building Department does not address roofing separately; it says it "issues permits for Building, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Sewer, Water, and Garage Sale activities". The state rule supplies the requirement: "before construction of a building or structure, the owner, or the owner's builder, architect, engineer, or agent, shall submit an application in writing to the appropriate enforcing agency for a building permit." The building permit application says permit fees "are based on the value of construction" and that the fee schedule is "1997 UBC fee schedule: call for fees." A contractor attaches a workers compensation certificate and a copy of the residential builder's license. Applications go by mail or in person to 1725 Territorial Road, Benton Harbor, MI 49022, and "PERMIT HOLDER MUST CALL FOR THE INSPECTION(S) AND GIVE A 24 HOURS NOTICE!" The Building Department's direct line is (269) 925.7284, open Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.