Kent County operates on a decentralized model where incorporated cities and townships manage their own building departments and permit issuance. The county government primarily provides building inspection and permit services for townships that have not opted to establish their own departments. Development in certain areas may be subject to additional review by the Kent County Road Commission or the Kent County Drain Commissioner for stormwater and infrastructure impacts.
The Kent County Drain Commissioner requires a soil erosion and sedimentation control permit for any earth change that disturbs one or more acres or is within 500 feet of a lake or stream.
How this fits with the state
The state authority here is Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. The county file does not replace that — it adds the permit office, local overlays, and the actual filing path.
Source · City-by-city; Grand Rapids, Kentwood, Wyoming, and others run independent permit portalsLast verified · 05 / 2026