Building and Ordinance Compliance

Do I need a Building Permit?

Click here to view our Residential Construction Brochure.

Suggestions to retrieve the information you are looking for include:

 
A copy of the plot plan may be on file at the Building Department, fill out a Request For Information form, the Building Department staff will check to see if anything is on file.

If nothing is on file you could have your property surveyed.  Please refer to listings in the phone book under surveyors.

Submit a Request for Information form for any information relating to the property address in question.  If you are looking for something specific such as old permits put that down, or if you are looking for "any and all" information write that down on the request form and we will be happy to provide you with any information that we might have, there is a cost for copies.  This form can be located in the reference desk section of this website.

Barking dog nuisances should be reported to the Oakland County Sheriff Department at the time the incident is taking place. 

As an alternative you may file a complaint with the City.  The Ordinance Inspector will send a letter to the dog owner advising the owner of the ordinance violation.

The City of Rochester Hills Building Departments' Ordinance Compliance division routinely checks areas of the city during the summer months for lots that are not in compliance with the Noxious Weed ordinance.  However, if there is a particular address you have a concern about you may contact the Building Department to file a complaint.

These items should be filed as complaints with the City.  Complaints can be filed by calling (248) 656-4615, give the information to the staff; the complaint will be entered and given to the appropriate personnel to follow up.  If the matter is something located in the rear yard of a property, we must be able to see the violation from the road or have permission to view from complainant's property.  

The Building Department can provide you with the zoning requirements of the district in which the property is located in terms of lot width, lot area, setbacks, height and density.  Then if you would like to proceed, the next step would be to make application for land division through the Assessing Department.  Contact the Assessing Department regarding the application and requirements at (248) 656-4605.

One sign can be placed on your private property and one sign can be placed off premise and on private property.  Please do not place signs on public property or on telephone poles, as this is not allowed.  Also signs are not to be placed between the sidewalk and the road (public right-of-way).

The Building Department may have construction plans for your residential home on file at the City offices.  To inquire, fill out a Request For Information form.  The Building Department staff will check to see if we have the plans in our office.  Copies are available at $3.00 per page for plans on file in our building. 

Many building plans are stored at an off-site facility.  If we find that your plans are at our off-site facility, there would be a cost of $30.00 to retrieve the plans, plus and additional $3.00 per page for copies.

The Building Department has published a manual called "A Guide to Neighborhood Living".  This booklet covers all the common ordinances that affect property maintenance.  You may obtain a copy at the Rochester Hills Building Department or click here to view.