Roofing in Freeman Township, 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 Township of Freeman as its own building code enforcer, but the township's Permits page says building permits are run through the Clare County Building Department, and its Ordinance No. 38 (March 12, 2020) repealed the ordinance that designated a township enforcing agency, saying "the Freeman Township Board has secured the Code Enforcement Services from Clare County Building Department". Freeman Township's Ordinance No. 2, Building Permits and Fees (effective January 21, 2013), says the building inspector representative "shall use all current applicable Michigan and BOCA building codes, subject to amendments as necessities require"; the ordinance names no edition, this record has not read the BOCA building codes text, and whether the reference has any effect today is not decided here. This record states the 2015 Michigan Residential Code, which the state construction code act applies throughout the state ("This act and the code apply throughout the state," MCL 125.1508a) and which LARA says remains in effect while the Court of Claims order of July 7, 2025 stands. Freeman Township has published no statement naming the edition it enforces.

Freeman Township does not take building permits at the township office: its Permits page says "BUILDING PERMITS ARE RUN THROUGH THE CLARE COUNTY BUILDING DEPARTMENT." and "ZONING PERMITS WILL STILL BE RUN THROUGH THE TOWNSHIP", and its Ordinance No. 38 (March 12, 2020) says "the Freeman Township Board has secured the Code Enforcement Services from Clare County Building Department". The county's jurisdiction chart dated 7/16/26 lists the county Building official under Freeman Township. Freeman Township's Ordinance No. 2, Building Permits and Fees (effective January 21, 2013), says "All building permits shall be obtained from the Freeman Township Building Inspector representative before any" building is erected or altered in the township and lists "Material(s) used for foundation, siding, roof and walls." among the information to be furnished, which names roof only as a material to be listed and states no roofing rule. Clare County Building Development publishes nothing specific to roof work, so the state's general permit rule applies, and its application says "ALL WORK SHALL BE INSTALLED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE STATE BUILDING CODE". A roofer should confirm with the county department, 989-539-2741 (inspection line) or 989-539-2761, before starting. The township office is at 7280 Mannsiding Road, Lake, MI 48632, telephone (989) 588-2752.