DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS  
DIRECTOR'S OFFICE  
CONSTRUCTION CODE  
Filed with the secretary of state on June 4, 2021  
These rules take effect 120 days after filing with the secretary of state.  
(By authority conferred on the director of the department of licensing and regulatory  
affairs by section 4 of the Stille-DeRossett-Hale single state construction code act, 1972 PA  
230, MCL 125.1504, and Executive Reorganization Order Nos. 2003-1, 2008-4, 2011-4,  
MCL 445.2011, 445.2025, and 445.2030)  
R 408.30500, R 408.30504, R 408.30505, R 408.30506, and R 408.30513 of the Michigan  
Administrative Code are amended, R 408.30501b and R 408.30501c are added, and R  
408.30512 and R 408.30514 are rescinded, as follows:  
PART 5. RESIDENTIAL CODE  
R 408.30500 Applicable code.  
Rule 500. The provisions of the international residential code, 2018 edition, including  
appendices A, B, C, D, E, F, G, J, K, N, O, P, R, and S except for Sections R 104.2, R 104.3,  
R 104.5, R 104.7, R 104.8, R 104.8.1, R 105.3, R 105.3.1, R 105.3.2, R 105.6, R 105.9, R  
108.3, R 108.4, R 108.5, R 108.6, R 109.1, R 112.2, R 112.3, R 112.4, R113.1 to R 113.3, R  
113.4, R 114.1 and R 114.2, R 313.1.1 to R 313.2.1, R 602.11, R602.12, N 1102.3.2, tables R  
507.2.3, N1101.12.3(3) and figure R 507.2.1(2), R 507.2.3(1), R 507.2.3(2), and R 507.2.4,  
sections M1411.8, G2411.1.1.1 to G2411.1.1.5, G2439.7.2, P2503.9, P2709.2.3, P2904.1.1  
to P2904.8.2, P2905.1, P2905.2, figure P2904.2.4.2, table P2904.2.2, tables P2904.6.2(1) to  
P2904.6.2(9), P3009.1 to P3009.11.1, E3902.15, E3902.16, E3902.17, and AJ102.4, the IBC-  
2015, IECC-2015, IMC-2015, IPC-2015, NFPA 70-2014 listed in chapter 44 govern the  
construction, alteration, relocation, demolition, use, and occupancy of buildings and  
structures, and, with the exceptions noted, the international residential code is adopted by  
reference in these rules. All references to the International Building Code, International  
Residential Code, International Energy Conservation Code, National Electrical Code,  
International Existing Building Code, International Mechanical Code, and International  
Plumbing Code mean the Michigan Building Code, Michigan Residential Code, Michigan  
Energy Code, Michigan Electrical Code, Michigan Rehabilitation Code for Existing  
Buildings, Michigan Mechanical Code, and Michigan Plumbing Code, respectively. The  
code is available for inspection and purchase at the Department of Licensing and Regulatory  
Affairs, Bureau of Construction Codes, 611 W. Ottawa St., 1st Floor Ottawa Building,  
Lansing, Michigan 48933. The code may be purchased from the International Code Council,  
through the bureau’s website at www.michigan.gov/bcc, at a cost as of the time of adoption  
of these rules of $118.00.  
February 26, 2021  
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R 408.30501b Intent.  
Rule 501b. Sections 101.3 and 101.4 of the code are amended to read as follows:  
R101.3. Intent. The purpose of this code is to establish minimum requirements to  
safeguard the public safety, health, and general welfare through affordability, structural  
strength, means of egress facilities, stability, sanitation, light and ventilation, energy  
conservation, and safety to life and property from fire and other hazards attributed to the built  
environment, and to provide safety to fire fighters and emergency responders during  
emergency operations. The Stille-DeRossett-Hale single state construction code act, 1972  
PA 230, MCL 125.1501 to MCL 125.1531 takes precedence over all provisions of this code.  
R101.4. Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this code is  
found to be invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, such decision will not affect the  
validity of the remaining portions of this code.  
R 408.30501c Existing structures.  
Rule 501c. Section 102.7 is amended to read as follows:  
R102.7. Existing structures. The legal occupancy of any structure existing on the date of  
adoption of this code shall be permitted to continue without change, except as is specifically  
covered in this code, the international property maintenance code, or the international fire  
code, or as allowed under the Stille-DeRossett-Hale single state construction code act, 1972  
PA 230, MCL 125.1501 to MCL 125.1531.  
R 408.30504 Duties and powers of building official.  
Rule 504. Sections R104.6 of the code are amended to read as  
follows:  
R104.6. Right of entry. If a building or premises is occupied, the code official shall present  
his or her credentials to the occupant and request entry. If a building or premises is  
unoccupied, the code official shall first make a reasonable effort to locate either the owner,  
the owner’s authorized agent or other person having care or control of the building or  
premises and request entry. If entry is refused, the code official has recourse to every remedy  
provided by law to secure entry.  
When a code official has first obtained a proper inspection warrant or other remedy  
provided by law to secure entry, the owner, owner’s authorized agent or occupant or person  
having charge, care or control of the building or premises shall not fail or neglect, after a  
proper request is made as provided in this rule, to permit the code official prompt entry into  
the building or premises to inspect or examine the building or premises pursuant to this code.  
R 408.30505 Work exempt from permit.  
Rule 505. Section R105.2 of the code is amended to read as follows:  
R105.2. Work exempt from permit. Exemption from the permit requirements of the  
code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in  
violation of the provisions of the code or any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction.  
Permits are not required for any of the following:  
(a) Building permits shall not be required for any of the following:  
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(i) One-story detached accessory structures, if the floor area does not exceed 200  
square feet (18.58 m2).  
(ii) A fence that is not more than 7 feet (2 134 mm) high.  
(iii) A retaining wall that is not more than 4 feet (1 219 mm) in height measured  
from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge.  
(iv) A water tank supported directly upon grade if the capacity is not more than  
5,000 gallons (18 927 L) and the ratio of height to diameter or width is not greater than 2  
to 1.  
(v) A sidewalk and driveway not more than 30 inches (762 mm) above adjacent  
grade and not over any basement or story below and not part of an accessible route.  
(vi) Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, and similar finish  
work.  
(vii) A prefabricated swimming pool that is less than 24 inches (610 mm) deep, and  
not greater than 5,000 gallons (18 925 L), and is installed entirely above ground.  
(viii) Swings and other playground equipment accessory to detached 1- or 2-family  
dwellings.  
(ix) Window awnings in group R-3 and U occupancies, supported by an exterior  
wall that do not project more than 54 inches (1 372 mm) from the exterior wall and do  
not require additional support, as applicable in Section 101.2 and group U occupancies.  
(x) Decks, porches, patios, landings, or similar structures not exceeding 200 square feet  
(18.58 m2) in area, that are not more than 30 inches (762 mm) above grade at any point as  
prescribed by Section R312.1.1, are not attached to a dwelling or its accessory structures, are  
not within 36 inches (914 mm) of a dwelling or its accessory structures, and do not serve any  
ingress or egress door of the dwelling or its accessory structures.  
(b) Electrical permits shall not be required, as in accordance with the Michigan  
electrical code, R 408.30801 to R 408.30880, for any of the following:  
(i) Repairs and maintenance: Minor repair work, including the replacement of  
lamps or the connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved  
permanently installed receptacles.  
(ii) Radio and television transmitting stations: The provisions of the code do not  
apply to electrical equipment used for radio and television transmissions, but do apply to  
equipment and wiring for power supply and to the installation of towers and antennas.  
(iii) Temporary testing systems: A permit is not required for the installation of any  
temporary system required for the testing or servicing of electrical equipment or  
apparatus.  
(c) Mechanical permits shall not be required for any of the following:  
(i) A portable heating or gas appliance that has inputs of less than 30,000 BTU’s per  
hour.  
(ii) Portable ventilation appliances and equipment.  
(iii) A portable cooling unit.  
(iv) Steam, hot water, or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling  
equipment or appliances regulated by this code.  
(v) Replacement of any minor part that does not alter the approval of equipment or  
an appliance or make such equipment or appliance unsafe.  
(vi) A portable evaporative cooler.  
(vii) Self-contained refrigeration systems that contain 10 pounds (4.5 kg) or less of  
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refrigerant, or that are actuated by motors of 1 horsepower (0.75kW) or less.  
(viii) Portable fuel cell appliances that are not connected to a fixed piping system  
and are not interconnected to a power grid.  
(ix) An oil burner that does not require connection to a flue, such as an oil stove and  
a heater equipped with a wick.  
(x) A portable gas burner that has inputs of less than 30,000 BTU’s per hour.  
(xi) When changing or relocating a gas meter or regulator, a permit is not required  
when installing gas piping which shall be limited to 10 feet (3 005 mm) in length and not  
more than 6 fittings.  
(xii) When installing geothermal vertical closed loops under the supervision of a  
mechanical contractor licensed in HVAC as long as the company meets both the  
following:  
(A) Has obtained a certificate of registration as a well drilling contractor pursuant to  
part 127 of the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.12701 to 333.12771.  
(B) Has installed the geothermal vertical closed loops in accordance with the  
department of environment, Great Lakes, and energy's best practices regarding geothermal  
heat pump  
closed loops. Exemption from the permit requirements of this code shall not be deemed  
to grant authorization for work to be done in violation of the provisions of this code or  
other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction.  
(d) Plumbing permits shall not be required for either of the following:  
(i) The stopping of leaks in drains, water, soil, waste or vent pipe. If any concealed  
trap, drainpipe, water, soil, waste or vent pipe becomes defective and it becomes  
necessary to remove and replace the same with new material, then the work is considered  
as new work and a permit shall be obtained and inspection made as provided in the code.  
(ii) The clearing of stoppages or the repairing of leaks in pipes, valves, or fixtures,  
and the removal and reinstallation of water closets, if the repairs do not involve or require  
the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes, or fixtures.  
R 408.30506 Submittal documents.  
Rule 506. Sections R 106.1.4 and R802.10.1 of the code are amended and  
Section R106.1.4 and figure 802.10.1 are added to the code to read as follows:  
R106.1.4. Truss design data. As an alternative to the submission of truss design  
drawings, figure R802.10.1, the truss design data sheet, may be provided to the building  
official as part of the construction documents at the time of application. Truss design  
drawings shall be submitted to the building official prior to truss installation as required by  
Section R802.10.1.  
R802.10.1 Truss design drawings. Truss design drawings, prepared in conformance  
with Section R802.10.1, shall be provided to the building official and approved prior to  
installation. The truss design data sheet, figure R802.10.1, may be provided to the building  
official at the time of permit application, as an alternative to design drawings as permitted in  
Section R106.1.4. Truss design drawings shall include, at a minimum, the information  
specified below. Truss design drawings shall be provided with the shipment of trusses  
delivered to the jobsite.  
(1) Slope or depth, span, and spacing.  
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(2) Location of all joints.  
(3) Required bearing widths.  
(4) Design loads as applicable.  
(a) Top chord live load (including snow loads).  
(b) Top chord dead load.  
(c) Bottom chord live load.  
(d) Bottom chord dead load.  
(e) Concentrated loads and their points of application.  
(f) Controlling wind and earthquake loads.  
(5) Adjustments to lumber and joint connector design values for conditions of use.  
(6) Each reaction force and direction.  
(7) Joint connector type and description (e.g., size, thickness, or gauge) and the  
dimensioned location of each joint connector except where symmetrically located relative  
to the joint interface.  
(8) Lumber size, species, and grade for each member.  
(9) Connection requirements for the following:  
(a) Truss to truss girder.  
(b) Truss ply to ply.  
(c) Field splices.  
(10) Calculated deflection ratio and/or maximum description for live and total load.  
(11) Maximum axial compression forces in the truss members to enable the  
building designer to design the size, connections, and anchorage of the permanent  
continuous lateral bracing. Forces shall be shown on the truss design drawing or on  
supplemental documents.  
(12) Required permanent truss member bracing location.  
R 408.30512 Rescinded.  
R 408.30513 Definitions.  
Rule 513. The definitions of attic and sunroom addition in Section R202 of the code are  
amended to read as follows:  
R202. Definitions.  
“Attic, uninhabitable with limited storage” means uninhabitable attics with limited  
storage where the minimum clear height between joists and rafters is 42 inches (1 063  
mm) or greater or where there are not 2 or more adjacent trusses with web configurations  
capable of accommodating an assumed rectangle 42 inches (1 063 mm) high by 24 inches  
(610 mm) in width, or greater, within the plane of the trusses.  
“Attic, uninhabitable without storage” means uninhabitable attics without storage  
where the maximum clear height between joists and rafters is less than 42 inches (1 063  
mm), or where there are not 2 or more adjacent trusses with web configurations capable  
of accommodating an assumed rectangle 42 inches (1 063 mm) high by 24 inches (610  
mm) in width, or greater, within the plane of the trusses.  
“ Building Inspector” means the individual who is responsible for the administration and  
enforcement of the construction of buildings, structures, or appurtenances under the state  
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construction code specified in R 408.30499 and who is registered in compliance with 2016  
PA 407, MCL 339.5101 to 339.6133.  
“Building Official” means the person who is appointed and employed by a governmental  
subdivision, who is charged with the administration and enforcement of the state codes  
specified in R 408.30499, and who is registered in compliance with 2016 PA 407, MCL  
339.5101 to 339.6133.  
“Registered design professional” means an individual who is licensed under the occupational  
code, 1980 PA 299, MCL 339.101 to 339.2919.  
“ Registered inspector” means an individual who is licensed under the occupational code,  
1980 PA 299, MCL 339.101 to 339.2919.  
"Sunroom addition" means a new structure with glazing in excess of 40% of the  
gross area of the structure's exterior walls and roof added to an existing dwelling.  
R 408.30514 Rescinded.  
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