How many building permits are filed in Detroit, Michigan?
As of May 9, 2026, 850 building permits are on file in Detroit, Michigan. The most common type is renovation (665 permits). Records are pulled from the Michigan public feed and refreshed daily.
Detroit is seeing steady construction activity right now. There are 1,310 permits on file in our database, with 516 new permits filed in the last 30 days. Renovation work dominates the market with 1,021 permits, followed by 289 miscellaneous permits. If you're looking for work in Detroit, the permit data shows there's enough activity to keep bidding on jobs. The most active zip codes tell you where to focus your efforts. Zip code 48221 leads with 103 permits, followed by 48205 (79 permits), 48224 (76 permits), 48235 (76 permits), and 48219 (70 permits). Most of this activity is renovation work, which means GCs, roofers, electricians, plumbers, and HVAC contractors all have opportunities in these areas. Knowing which neighborhoods are active helps you concentrate your prospecting and reduce response time on bids. Contractors who monitor permits regularly win more bids because they contact property owners before the competition does. Permit values in Detroit vary depending on the scope of work, but tracking the filing dates gives you a first-mover advantage. When a renovation permit is filed, you typically have a narrow window to submit a quote before the owner gets multiple bids. Building your lead pipeline from daily permit data beats waiting for jobs to come to you. DigPermit updates permit data daily from public records, so you're always seeing the most current filings. This means you can set up alerts for your target zip codes and respond to new permits within hours of filing, not days. In a competitive market like Detroit, that timing difference directly affects your close rate.
Monitor building permits filed in Detroit on a daily basis. The 516 permits filed in the last 30 days represent active projects looking for contractors. Set up permit alerts for your target zip codes (48221, 48205, 48224, 48235, and 48219 are the most active) so you can contact property owners immediately after filing. Most contractors wait for leads to come through brokers or networks. You can get ahead by reaching out directly within 24-48 hours of a permit filing, before the owner has multiple bids.
Renovation permits make up the majority of activity with 1,021 permits in the database. Other permits account for 289 filings. This means most opportunities in Detroit are renovation and remodeling jobs, not new construction. If you do renovations, additions, kitchen and bath work, roofing, electrical upgrades, or HVAC replacements, you have a large market here. Check the specific permit details to see whether each job needs your trade before you bid.
Zip code 48221 has the most permits with 103 filings. 48205 is second with 79 permits, and three zip codes tie for third: 48224, 48235, and 48219 each with 76, 76, and 70 permits respectively. If you operate in Detroit, these five zip codes should be your primary focus. You'll find more opportunities per square mile in these areas than anywhere else in the city. Consider setting up specific alerts for each of these codes so you don't miss jobs.
Permit values in Detroit vary depending on the scope and type of work. A small electrical or plumbing permit might be worth a few thousand dollars, while a full renovation can run much higher. Instead of relying on average values, look at the specific permit details for each project. The permit filing will typically describe the scope of work, which tells you whether the job is worth your time to bid. Focus on whether the project matches your services, not just the estimated value.
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DigPermit updates all permit data daily, pulling from the official public records. This means you're seeing new filings within 24 hours of submission. Staying on top of daily updates is critical because contractors who respond within the first day have a significant advantage. If you check permit data weekly instead of daily, you're already behind on most leads. Set up automated alerts so you don't have to manually check every day.