What Permits Do I Need for a Lansing Area Kitchen Remodel?
Remodeling your kitchen in The Greater Lansing area usually requires a building permit, and often electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits depending on your project’s scope. Knowing what you need before construction starts helps avoid delays, sets correct expectations for timelines, and reduces unnecessary stress. In our line of work, we often hear from homeowners that they have been told by other contractors that permits are not required for their kitchen remodel, and that is almost always just not true. A major kitchen remodel will almost always require permits to be pulled to complete the work. It is also in the homeowners’ best interest to ensure that proper permits are pulled and that inspections take place on the work being done in their home.
When is a Permit Required?
The four types of permits typically required for a kitchen remodel are:
- Building Permit
- Electrical Permit
- Plumbing Permit
- Mechanical Permit
Permits are required when a kitchen remodel is more than maintenance work or goes beyond simple cosmetic updates. A kitchen remodel almost always requires permits when the following work is being done:
- Walls or structural changes are made to the kitchen layout. This even applies to moving walls that are not load-bearing.
- Changing window sizes or door openings.
- Adding square footage to the home to expand the footprint of the kitchen.
- Moving or expanding existing electrical or updating the electrical to meet current code requirements for modern kitchens.
- Moving or adding a sink, dishwasher, or refrigerator water line.
- Relocating or moving existing plumbing supply or waste lines.
- Installing or modifying a range hood, ventilation, or adjusting ductwork.
When is a Permit NOT Required?
Many cosmetic remodeling jobs in kitchens do NOT require permits. Examples of kitchen modifications that do not require permits are as follows:
- Replacing kitchen cabinets (that does not change layout of the kitchen).
- Replacing countertops that doesn’t require moving the sink or faucet.
- Installing new flooring (tile, hardwood, carpet, or luxury vinyl).
- Painting or wallcoverings (wallpaper, tile backsplashes).
- Simple repairs like fixing minor leaks, carpentry repairs, and some electrical repairs or replacements.
Are Permits Required in Every Greater Lansing Area County?
Each jurisdiction does have some differences to what they require or how they handle permits. We have found some counties to be more relaxed with requirements, while others tend to be more strict in their adherence to the Building Code.
As a licensed builder, we have learned how to best work with each jurisdiction to ensure that our projects follow all local and international building code requirements. We know that the inspectors are on the side of safety and ensuring best practices, and we want the same thing for our homeowners.
What Are the Risks of Not Pulling a Permit?
The short-term risks are that a local inspector is made aware that a kitchen remodel job is underway and can put an immediate stop to the work being completed. They can also issue fines and double or triple the permit fees for pulling permits after work is started. If some work has been completed, they may require that areas be removed or made accessible so they can properly inspect the work. This may result in large costs to redo work that has been completed.
The long-term risks can be even worse:
- Insurance: if a homeowner makes a claim on a remodeled space and it is found that the work was not properly permitted, the insurance company can immediately deny any claims associated with that work.
- Sale of Home: during the sale of a home, a homeowner is legally required to disclose any work that was unpermitted in the Michigan Seller’s Disclosure Statement. If unpermitted work was done, this can prevent the ability to get a mortgage approval, frighten off potential buyers, and possibly force the reduction in price of the home.
- Appraisal: by not properly permitting the work, the remodel will not increase your equity in your home which can cause financial issues in home appraisal.
For a recent kitchen remodel in Okemos, our team helped homeowners open their floor plan by removing a wall between the kitchen and dining room. We handled the structural and electrical permits, coordinated with inspectors, and ensured everything passed on the first review – saving our clients weeks of potential delays.
What Are the Downsides of Pulling Permits?
There are reasons that many contractors tell homeowners that permits are not required.
- Permits cost money and require a set of plans to submit to the city.
- Permits take time to submit and get approved.
- The main reason though is that inspections add significant time to the completion of a job.
Each permit pulled generally requires a rough inspection and a finish inspection. With four types of permits, that can mean eight different inspections. Scheduling inspections and some re-inspections can add days and weeks to the overall project timeline and some contractors are just not willing to do that. We are licensed and insured and in good standing with local jurisdictions. We believe in remodeling the best and most right way that is possible, and that means following local requirements to protect the safety and wellbeing of our homeowners. We understand the desire to get remodeling projects done quickly, but it is more important that we do so correctly as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who pulls the permits—the homeowner or the contractor?
At Odd Fellows Contracting, we handle all necessary permits on behalf of our clients.
2. How long does it take to get a permit approved?
Most permits are approved within 5–10 business days, depending on project complexity and review backlog.
3. Do I need inspections during the remodel?
Yes. Electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and building inspections verify that your remodel meets Michigan code before final approval.
4. Are permits different for older homes?
Sometimes. Older homes may require additional electrical or structural reviews to ensure modern safety standards are met.
5. Does Odd Fellows Contracting handle inspections too?
Yes, we schedule and coordinate all inspections as part of our full-service process.
Plan Your Remodel with Confidence
Planning a kitchen remodel? Our design–build team handles design, permitting, and construction so your project runs smoothly from start to finish.