STATE OF MICHIGAN NEWS - 3/23/2020

Division Spotlight – Building and Permits Division

Welcome to the first Trades Connection of 2020! Beginning with this edition the Trades Connection will include a more in-depth look at each of the divisions of the Bureau of Construction Codes (BCC), starting with the Building and Permits Division.

Building and Permits-With the start of a new construction season right around the corner, it is important to review the requirements for permitting and plan review where the State of Michigan has authority. BCC is responsible for the review of boiler, building, electrical, elevator, mechanical, and plumbing construction plans. Additionally, BCC reviews all barrier free design exception requests and mobile home park site construction plans and issues permits to construct.

Electrical-The requirement for permits and plan review for data/telecommunication is a new change for the 2017 Michigan Electrical Code.

Permits had previously been exempted under section 80.19 of the 2014 Michigan Electrical Code; that exemption was removed under the 2017 Michigan Electrical Code Section 80.19(b)(4) which refers to 2016 Public Act 407, MCL339.5737(3). If the work involved is for data/telecommunications wiring, then a permit is required to be obtained from the authority which has jurisdiction. Plan review would only be required for school projects per 1937 Public Act 306, MCL 388.851(a) – typically the drawings for data/telecommunication are submitted with the electrical drawings.

If you have any questions, please contact the Electrical Division at (517) 241-9320 or email at bccelec@michigan.gov.

Rules Updates

Skilled Trades (2019-101 LR)

The Skilled Trades Regulation Act, 2016 PA 407, was written to provide uniformity in licensing, compliance investigation, and enforcement. It repealed the Boiler Act, the State Plumbing Act, the Forbes Mechanical Contracts Act, the Electrical Administrative Act, the Building Officials and Inspectors Registration Act, and subsequently, the rules for each above mentioned repealed Acts. Consequently, BCC is promulgating a new rule set to regulate these skilled trades, as provided under the new act.

A rules advisory meeting was held on January 31, 2020, and the proposed rules are now in review. If you wish to be notified of updates as the rule promulgation progresses, please send an e-mail to LARA-BCC_Rules@michigan.gov with “Subscribe 407” in the subject line, and you will be added to the e-mail distribution list.

IT Corner

Did you forget your password? You can quickly and easily reset it yourself.

When on the Accela Citizen Access website click on the “I’ve forgotten my password” link in the login section. Provide your email address and click “Continue”, next provide the answer to your security question and click “Send new password”. You will receive an email shortly with a new password.

Bureau of Construction Codes Structure and Contact Information

Bureau Director – Keith Lambert

Bureau Deputy Director – Alesha Gensler

Administrative Services Division – Kevin Kalakay

Boiler Division Manager – Dave Stenrose

Building and Permits Division Manager – Jon Paradine

Elevator Division Manager – Becky Jones

Electrical Division Chief – Dean Austin

Land Survey & Remonumentation Division Manager – Michael Barger

Licensing and Compliance Division Manager – Dianne Barmes

Mechanical Division Chief – Kevin Kalakay

Plumbing Division Chief – Andy Neuman

Ski/Amusement Division Manager – Becky Jones

Need to find the State Inspector for your area? State Inspector Regional maps and contact information is available online. Please see below:

Coronavirus Information and Updates

For COVID-19-related questions regarding licensing and regulation topics, please send an email to LARA-COVID-19-Questions@michigan.gov