Permits from 1995 to the present are physically located in our office - Health & Human Services Building, 2nd floor, 175 E. Adams St., Ionia. An Excel spreadsheet provides an index to permits issued from 1995 through 2007. Beginning in 2007, we began using new software to track permits. We can search the data by address, parcel number, property owner, or contractor.  Pre-1995 permits (1976-1994) are archived in our storage facility. We are currently in the process of populating an Excel spreadsheet with information found on old index cards. It is our hope to eventually scan all documents (old as well as new) so retrieval will be just a key-stroke away.

An electrical, mechanical, or plumbing (trade) permit will typically be issued within 24 hours of receiving the application along with the accompanying payment. The permit is mailed to the applicant and, unlike a building permit, posting on the premises is not required.

Depending on the scope of your individual building project, various other permits, documents, etc. may need to accompany your application for a building permit. How and when these items are received may impact when we are finally able to issue your permit.  However, now that Ionia County offers the service of `one-stop' permitting, obtaining other applicable permits, etc., may, with our assistance, be accomplished simultaneously with the building official's plan review process. This new `one-stop' method will typically expedite the application process and is intended to free the applicant from having to make multiple stops at other county departments.  Residential building permit applicants are advised the building official's plan review process may take 5-to-7 business days while the plan review process for a commercial building permit application, due to its complexity, typically takes additional time. There may be times when the building official has completed his work but one or more required documents or other permits remain to be obtained before the building permit can be issued. In such cases, we will call the applicant with an update.  Payment for a building permit is required when the permit is picked up or mailed; however, payment will be accepted upon application if the fee is a standard fee such as a mobile home installation on piers.

While Community Development staff is available to assist you in all aspects of the permit application process, we are not trained code specialists or state licensed inspectors. The county of Ionia has appointed code officials and contracts with Associated Government Services, Inc. to provide the services of licensed building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing inspectors. These individuals are available to answer your specific code questions. Inspectors can be reached at 616.527.5374 and typically are in the office during early morning hours.

Addresses are assigned based on the location of the driveway entrance off a private or public road with the actual number being computed according to an established countywide grid system. The location is obtained either from the county road commission's driveway permit, the Michigan Department of Transportation's driveway permit, or the parcel survey or site plan if the driveway is on a private road in the townships of Boston, Danby, Easton, Ionia, Keene, North Plains, Orange, Orleans, Otisco, Portland, or Sebewa. An address assignment application form is available under the `Forms' tab of this webpage. The completed application may be dropped off or mailed to the address appearing on the form. Community Development is also able to assist with: 1) the driveway permit application process; and 2) helping you obtain the required proof of ownership. Once all required documents have been presented, the new address number will be assigned. At this time, there is no fee associated with issuing an address.

[Note: the cities of Belding, Ionia, and Portland and the village of Saranac issue their own addresses.]

Each building permit application (residential as well as commercial) must include two (2) sets of blue prints or drawings.  Plans (blue prints) for all commercial projects or a residential structure at or above 3500 square feet must contain the original signature and raised seal of an architect or engineer licensed by the state of Michigan.  Plans (blue prints or drawings) for a residential structure fewer than 3500 square feet certainly may be professionally drawn; however, you may submit your own hand-drawn plans. The drawings will need to include:

• the foundation plan
• side elevations
• the floor plan
• a wall section

Click here to view several sample drawings which will assist you with the foundation and wall section. As the floor plan and side elevations are unique to each project, you will need to prepare your own drawings for these two items.  The building official will review your plans for code compliance and will note on the plans any items you need to include or change. One set of the plans will be returned with your issued permit and plan review and one set will be retained by the county.

With each issued building permit, the building official provides a Plan Review document, which outlines various code requirements specific to your project. It also outlines the types and timing of each required inspection. Please take the time to familiarize yourself with this document; however, we would be more than happy to answer any questions or refer you to an inspector if you have technical code questions.  Some trade permits are issued as "single" inspection permits, therefore you will need to schedule the inspection when the project is complete.  If your project involves multiple inspections, e.g., building a new home or pole building, it is very important for you, or your contractor, to call for ALL required inspections.  Your ultimate goal is to receive a Certificate of Occupancy or Certificate of Final Inspection. This is also the goal of all involved county departments because remember, when a certificate is issued it closes your file, and this is a desirable conclusion. If a file remains open, it will eventually expire, which means you, or possibly even a future owner, will be the unfortunate recipient of a letter that will advise of possible violations of state codes and/or county ordinances - certainly not a desirable conclusion.

The initial fee entitles you to the required number of inspections appropriate for your project. For each inspection, the permit holder is responsible for arranging access to the project and ensuring the minimum code requirements are fulfilled. If an inspector is unable to gain access (project is locked or otherwise inaccessible) or determines the work does not meet code requirements or is not ready for inspection, a re-inspection fee will be assessed. The "Correction Notice," left at the job site or mailed will indicate whether a re-inspection fee is required and if so, the amount due. An invoice is not typically mailed unless the fee remains unpaid for a period of time. The fee must be paid before requesting a re-inspection.

The re-inspection fees are as follows:

• Building $75
• Electrical $63
• Mechanical $63
• Plumbing $63

All building and trade permits are originally issued for a period of 180 days. The expiration date is automatically extended as inspections are scheduled; however, if there is no activity for a total of 6 months (180 days) - either work not started or work abandoned - the software will change the permit status to "expired." We suggest that when a permit is issued you note its expiration date on your calendar. If your project has not been completed by that date, you should request an extension by calling or stopping by this office. If, perhaps, you don't recall the expiration date, please feel free to call as it only takes a brief moment to find this information.

[Note: depending on the situation, the building official may wish to confirm that construction is ongoing prior to granting an extension. If the permit has been in an "expired" status for a substantial period, filing for a new permit may be required.]

Residential building permits including:

• new residential
• residential addition
• residential alteration
• accessory/detached structures and demolitions

any individual may apply (proof of ownership required)
[Note: the cities of Belding and Portland issue their own permits.]

Commercial building permits:

Residential electrical, mechanical, and plumbing (trade) permits:

• owner/occupant may apply IF he/she will be doing the work
• licensed contractor must apply if owner has retained a contractor

Commercial electrical, mechanical, and plumbing (trade) permits:

Each issued permit contains the telephone number of the dedicated inspection request line. When you are ready for an inspection, call the inspection request number no later than 4:00 p.m. and your inspection will be scheduled for the next business day unless you request a later date. (Time specific inspections are not available; however, if time is an issue, inspectors may be able to call you prior to arrival with an estimated time.) If, for an unforeseen reason, the requested inspection would need to be re-scheduled, someone from the inspector's office would call you.

The Register of Deeds records can be searched either by owner name or the legal description of the property. If you only have a property address, you can search the tax records to get the taxpayer's name and tax description for the parcel. The name that appears on the tax roll may or may not be the owner. With this name or tax description, you can then search the Register of Deeds index for any recorded information.

The chief legislative and policy-making body of Ionia County Government is the 7-member Board of Commissioners.

Commissioners are elected to 2-year terms from districts that are roughly equal in population. A Chair and Vice-Chair are elected at the first meeting of each new year. The Chair appoints each Commissioner to standing committees.

Among the Commissioners' other duties are:

• Approving a mission statement for the County.
• Adopting the annual County budget.
• Raising the money to fund the County's operations by levying property taxes, setting fees, selling bonds or borrowing.
• Appointing citizen members to County boards, commissions and committees, which provide oversight for significant County services.
• Selecting a County Administrator to supervise the day-to-day operations of County departments.
• Determining the sites of County buildings, and purchasing or disposing of County-owned property and facilities.
• Representing the County, and managing its property and business by adopting rules, regulations, ordinances and policies.

BIRTH RECORDS

Birth records are available from 1867- to date. Birth records are confidential and are available only to the person or parents of the person named in the records. Birth certificates 110 years old or older are available for genealogy purposes. The cost of a birth certificate is $10 for the first copy and $5 for each additional copy.

The term "taxable value" was created in 1994 and relates to the increase of value that a home or property may be taxed on. Proposal A allows the taxable value to increase only by the rate of inflation or 5%, whichever is less.

The SEV (state equalized value) is determined by an assessor who calculates recent sales and other data in your area to reflect 50% of the true market value of your home. This number is adjusted up or down with the market.

It is important to remember that the amount that you owe in taxes is generated using the taxable value, not the SEV.

Requests may be made by mail by completing the Request for Vital Records Form which may be found under the "Forms" section of this website. Mail requests are generally processed within 5 - 7 business days. Telephone requests cannot be accepted at this time.

In Michigan, the parent with primary physical custody would be the one to make the decision as to where a minor child lives, and the age of majority is 18 years. While the child's wishes are a factor considered by the court when a custody issue is before the court, this is only one of many factors, which are considered in making a decision as to which parent is granted custody of the child.  There is no “magic” age when a child can decide with whom he/she wants to live and it is inappropriate (no matter what age the child may be) for them to contact the Friend of the Court regarding issues of this nature.  That is a parent’s responsibility, not the child's. Parents may file a petition or motion to modify custody through a private attorney or acting as their own attorney (In Pro Per) and can secure a Motion to Change Custody forms from the Friend of the Court-required filing fees are required

Latex paint can be easily dried out and disposed of, with the lid off, in your regular trash.  

• Allow the paint to dry by removing the lid and allowing liquids to evaporate. This works well for small quantities of paint (an inch or two in the bottom of the can), and can take several days.
• Latex paint can also be solidified by mixing in an equal amount of an absorbent material and allowing it to dry. Use scoopable cat litter, sawdust, plaster of Paris, oil dry, or vermiculite.
• Pour thin layers (about 1" of paint) into a cardboard box lined with plastic. Allow the paint to dry one layer at a time until all the paint has hardened.
• When thoroughly dry, the remaining hardened paint should be discarded with your regular trash. Leave the lid off the cans so that the waste collector can see that the paint is hardened.
• DO NOT dump the paint on the ground or down storm drains where it will travel directly to the surface and/or into ground water.
• DO NOT pour down the drain. While small amount of latex paint can be safely washed down the drain into a septic system or waste-water treatment plant, this practice should be kept to a minimum. Limit this to brush cleaning and cleanup.
• DO NOT throw liquid paint in the regular trash. It may be released from the can when trash is compacted and may seep out of waste collection vehicles onto your street.

You need to bring a check or money order made payable to the Ionia County Clerk if you are a resident of Michigan, or a check or money order for $30.00 if you are not a resident of Michigan. To apply for a Marriage License, one of the parties must be a Michigan resident.

You need to bring information on both parties. Bringing Birth Certificates of both parties would be helpful. (see the Affidavid for License to Marry under the "Forms" section of this website for more details of the information that will be requested).

The mission of the Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center at Lansing Community College (MISBTDC-LCC) is to contribute to Michigan's economy by stimulating job creation and retention at the local level. We will achieve this mission by assisting existing and prospective business owners and managers in Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, Ionia, Livingston and Shiawassee counties. Through business counseling, we will aid our clients with their ability to survive, grow and generate profit.

Together, ICEA and MISBTDC-LCC can provide:

Up-to-date listing of seminars, workshops and programs; available though the Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center at Lansing Community College.
Practical one-on-one counseling provided by local professionals who volunteer their time. Our counselors include CPAs, attorneys, marketing experts, college faculty, bankers, investors and other specialists. Working independently, or in cooperation with existing service providers, our Center staff and counselors offer personal assistance in a range of areas.
Working independently, or in cooperation with existing service providers, our Center staff and counselors offer personal assistance in a range of areas:

• Business Plans
  
• Problem Solving
  
• Access to Financing
  
• Marketing Strategies
  
• Accounting and Bookkeeping
  
• Personnel Matters
  
• Marketing Analysis
  
• Small Business Tax Education Program
  
• Business Video Library
  
• Computer Applications
  
• Technology Applications
  
• Exporting
  
• Research and Development
  
• Manufacturing Assessment

$14.00 for the first page and $3.00 for each additional page. If a document assigns or discharges more than one instrument, $3.00 shall be added for each additional instrument referenced.  Transfer tax on the sale price is due at the time of recording.