Ryan Capson
BUILDING OFFICIAL
(616) 399-6121
ryan@portsheldontwp.org
The Township Building Official is in charge of administering and enforcing the Michigan Building Codes. The Building Official reviews plans, issues permits and inspects and maintains records on all construction projects in the Township.
Permits
Plumbing, Electrical, Mechanical Application
Plumbing, Electrical, and Mechanical permit fees are $65 per inspection.
Building Permit Application
Building Permit fees are based on the value of the project. There is a $50.00 base fee plus $3.50 per $1000.00 of project value.
Requirements
The following information is required to be submitted to the Township before a building permit can be issued. If you have questions, contact the Township Building Inspector at (616) 399-6121.
- Well/Water Approval and Sewage Disposal System. Permits for private wells and septic systems from Ottawa County Environmental Health Department required: phone 616-393-5645. Permits for water and sewer in the Tradewinds and The Corners developments are issued by Ottawa County Road Commission Public Utilities Department: phone 616-850-7207.
- Proof of Ownership. If not already in township records, a legal document will be required for a recent transfer of ownership.
- Site Plan. Location of building and sewage system on property (per ordinance set backs for front, side & rear yards). Show existing and proposed buildings on the property and measurements between buildings and the distance from the proposed structure to all property lines.
- Building Plans. Provide two sets, one of which will be returned with the building permit. Drawings must show floor plans, elevations, a typical wall section and all building materials planned, with size and spacing of each.
- Truss Design. If floor or roof trusses are used, detailed truss drawings supplied by the truss designer and/or supplier must be submitted.
- Cost. Total cost of project, including all labor.
- Builders License. A copy of the contractor’s Michigan State Registered Builders License.
- Driveway Permit. Must be obtained for all driveways off of public roads from the Ottawa County Road Commission: phone 616-842-5400.
- Street Numbers are issued by the township assessor. Please submit a site plan showing the house location on the site, and your contact information to the township office.
- Critical Dunes. High Risk Erosion Areas, Wetlands and Floodplains. Applies only to some lake and river front properties. Permits from Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) when required must be submitted. Phone 616-356-0207.
- Soil Erosion Permit. This is required for all properties within 500 feet of a lake or stream. Call 616-994-4528.
- Michigan Energy Calculations. Information must be provided that shows that all current state requirements are met.
Building Inspector ‘s Corner
Well, spring is finally here, and that means you can’t put off that deck project any longer.
To answer your next question: yes, you do need a permit. The permit, however, is easy to acquire and inexpensive ($3.50 per thousand dollars of project cost +$50 base fee).
Plus, you can rest easy knowing that when completed, it will be inspected to insure it is built safely and complies with the current building code. Do a quick Google search on “deck collapse” and the legal nightmare it can cause, and you will want it done right.
One of the items that comes up quite often on deck inspections is using the wrong nails in the deck joist hanger. The manufacture specifications call for a certain type and length of nail to be used in the hanger bracket. It may seem insignificant, but the nails are a big part of the total system helping the hanger meet its rated load capacity and keeping you and your guests from making a quick and unanticipated journey to the ground level.
All nails used in treated lumber need to be galvanized or “ACQ” rated. Modern treated lumber is highly corrosive and can compromise an improper fastener over time, so leave grandpa’s mason jar of old nails in the shed and get the proper fasteners.
The second thing I am finding is the “angled” double shear holes are often filled with the shorter 1.5” nails used in the “face” of the hanger. These angled holes specifically call for a 3” nail in order to go through the joist tail and engage the ledger, helping the hanger to meet its rated load carrying capacity. See the diagram from Simpson Strong-Tie below (popular hanger manufacturer)
If you have deck or other building/zoning questions, please don’t hesitate to call or drop in.
Monday, Wednesday, & Friday from 9a-12p
Happy Spring, & Safe building!
Building Inspector/Zoning Administrator
