Code Enforcement Contact Us

Thank you for contacting the City of Alma. Broadly, the city issues four types of permits: Building, Zoning, Sign and Public Works Permits. The first two are sometimes difficult to distinguish. To help with that, both use the same permit application form which can be found on our website.


A building permit is required when altering the load bearing properties of any primary structure. This includes the construction or alteration of walls, floor supports, rafters, foundation elements, and other load bearing structural elements. A building permit is also required whenever an accessory building, such as a shed, deck, breezeway or lean-to if attached to the primary structure or if the accessory building is larger than 200 square feet in size. Electrical, Plumbing and HVAC work require permits through the State of Michigan Building and Construction Codes Division. These permits are required for any alteration of those systems except for changing external fixtures. (light Sockets, switches, faucets, valves, water closets, etc.) Though a primary home owner does not require the services of a licensed residential builder to perform work on the property where they reside, a permit is required and the project must be completed with a design in compliance with the enacted building code. Common home maintenance activities that do not require a permit are painting/siding/exterior treatments, re-roofing when only the surface is replaced, concrete flatwork, and the replacement of windows when the size of the windows will not be changed.

A zoning permit is required when altering the way you use property in any meaningful way. This usually involves the addition of an accessory structure less than 200 square feet in size or permanently installed pools, spas, or trampolines. A zoning permit uses the same application form as our building permit.


A sign permit is required for the erection of commercial signage. Though commercial signage is most common in commercial districts, signs related to home based occupations are allowed by permit. All signage erected within the city must comply with the City Sign Ordinance and maintain a valid sign permit.

A Public Works Permit is necessary when excavating or performing work within the city right of way or street. A fee scale and description of Public Works Permits are available via our website.

When applying for any permit, please allow 7-14 days for processing. The permit application process: Submission of Application --> Application Review --> Collection of Permit Fee --> Issuance of Permit --> Project Completion --> Final Inspection.

Michigan law prohibits residents of cities with populations over 5,000 from using a fire pit within city limits that allows combustible materials directly on the ground. The pit must be elevated above the ground. For a fire pit to conform with this law the fire box, or location where combustibles are burnt, must be raised at least six inches above the ground. This gap must be either open air or a noncombustible material such as concrete or fire brick. A great example of this is metal fire pits on legs sold by many hardware and big box stores.

Cooking is permitted, but must follow the same guidelines. The smoke from an outdoor fire or cooking cannot bother the neighbors. The police can be called and can issue a ticket or a warning. It is a good idea to speak with your neighbor if you think the smoke may cause a problem.

Before having a fire it is recommended that you consult the State of Michigan DNR's daily issued Fire Risk Rating for our area. If the daily fire rating is high, very high, or extreme (yellow, orange or red), please consider waiting until a day when the issued fire rating is very low, low or moderate. A summary of Fire Risk Ratings is provided by the USDA.

If you are interested in constructing your own backyard fire pit that conforms to state law, there are a number of ways to approach your design. The key factor is ensuring that your pit includes a non-flammable barrier of at least six inches between the bottom of the fire box and the ground surface. This material must not have a high heat conductivity. A base constructed out of metal would not meet this standard as it readily conducts the heat of the fire to the ground. It is recommended that the six inch gap come from open air, such as a pit on legs, or from concrete or fire brick. The fire must also be contained on all sides by a nonflammable material, though metal is permissible for this purpose. No part of your fire pit should be constructed of wood or other flammable materials. There are a number of DIY guides available to create safe fire pits that meet the criteria above, such as this one from The Spruce. The key to a good design is making sure that the gap between the ground and the bottom of the fire box is air, concrete, or fire brick.

Michigan Fire Code (307.4) requires that small recreational fires in approved containers be located no closer than 15 feet from any structure.