Do I need a permit for accessory dwelling unit (adu) in Unincorporated Berrien County?
Unincorporated Berrien County does not issue residential building permits. Berrien County has no county construction code program. The State of Michigan Bureau of Construction Codes Statewide Jurisdiction List (Rev. 8/21/2026) lists the cities, villages and townships in the county as running their own building programs, except the Village of Galien and Weesaw Township, where the State Bureau of Construction Codes enforces building (Building Trades Section 517-241-9313). Homeowners apply to their own city, village or township.
The requirements below come from Michigan rules and describe the standard the work must still meet. They are not a statement that Unincorporated Berrien County will issue you a permit.
Yes. In Michigan, accessory dwelling unit (adu) generally requires a permit, and Unincorporated Berrien County is no exception.
State law requires a building permit application with scaled plans and a site plan before a building or structure is constructed (MCL 125.1510(1)); a new dwelling unit is not on the state list of exempt work. Converting existing space into a dwelling unit is a change of use, and LARA states a permit is required when the use or occupancy of a structure or part of it changes. Whether an ADU is allowed on your lot, and its size and placement, is set by local zoning, which is separate from the building permit. Michigan does not allow any opening from a private garage directly into a room used for sleeping (R 408.30544b, amending R302.5.1).
Get your exact answer
Answer a few questions to see the specific permits, documents, and next steps for your accessory dwelling unit (adu) in Unincorporated Berrien County.
Check my projectDocuments you may need
- Building permit application verified by affidavitRequired
- Plans drawn to scale of the proposed workRequired
- Site plan showing the dimensions and location of the ADU and other buildings on the lotRequired
- Energy code compliance informationLikely required
- Separate electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permitsLikely required
Possible inspections
- Footing and foundation inspections for new construction
- Rough electrical, plumbing, and mechanical inspections
- Framing inspection after the rough trade inspections are approved
- Insulation and final inspections
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a permit for accessory dwelling unit (adu) in Unincorporated Berrien County?
- Yes. In Michigan, accessory dwelling unit (adu) generally requires a permit, and Unincorporated Berrien County is no exception. The documents and inspections sections on this page list what the building department typically asks for.
- Who issues the permit in Unincorporated Berrien County?
- The local building department for Unincorporated Berrien County handles permitting. This page lists its contact details and online portal. Your mailing city is not always the permitting authority, so confirm the jurisdiction before you apply.
- How do I find out the exact requirements for my project?
- Run the free PermitRoadmap check for your specific project and answers. It returns the likely permits, documents, inspections, and next steps, each linked to its official source.
PermitRoadmap is an independent informational service and is not affiliated with any city, county, state agency, or permitting authority. Results are informational and do not replace confirming requirements with the local permitting authority.