Phone (269) 925-0616
Office Hours (M - F):
8:30am - 5:00pm

Home Departments Building
Building

Benton Charter Township Master Plan Draft - July 2019

View the Master Plan here

Building, Planning and Zoning Departments

The Building Department is staffed by ICC Certified Personnel and has been awarded the highest ranking in the State of Michigan by the Insurance Services Office (ISO). The Department performs Inspections and Plan Reviews of all development activities. Additionally, we are responsible for all Zoning and Planning functions relating to developmental growth of the Community. Please come to the Building Department located on the 2nd Floor of the Township Building for any of the following Permits: Building, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Sewer, Water and Garage Sale (see links below). The Building Department can also provide Applications for the following: Annual Rental Registration and Home Occupational (see links below). Inspections requested for Building and Rental can be called in at 269.925.7284. For Electrical, Mechanical and Plumbing Inspections, please contact the appropriate Inspector (listed below or on your Application and Permit) per your Scope of work. Water and Sewer Inspections should be arranged as directed on the Permit Applications (separate Water and Sewer Permits, available at the links below). The Township is a Full Service Department.

Please download a Permit, fill it out in it's entirety and either bring it with you to the Township Building Department, or you can mail it in to 1725 Territorial Road Benton Harbor, MI 49022, or e-mail everything to dscalf@bentonchartertownship-mi.gov and copy one of the Inspectors listed below; to ensure we receive it promptly. Permits are complete when all information requested has been provided, fees are paid in full, and an Inspector approves your Scope of Work provided on your Application. See the rear of each Permit Application for further instructions and pricing. You may also call for fees and drop Permits in the drop box located outside at the Front Entrance of the Township Building. The Building Department now offers credit card payments via e-mail, if you wish to pay by credit card, please request the Authorization Form along with a Driver's License of the Authorized User to Deeann Scalf at dscalf@bentonchartertownship-mi.gov.

NOTE: If you would like to know if a property address is within Benton Charter Township please visit https://beacon.schneidercorp.c... (Choose the State, choose the County/City/Area) and you can search by Name, Address/Street or Parcel ID No.) if the Parcel ID No. starts with 11-03 that is in Benton Charter Township limits.

If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to call the Township. ORDINANCES CAN BE FOUND online at www.municode.com in the Online Library (Michigan, then Benton Charter Township). Ordinances are currently being updated. You can always call for confirmation of current status updates. Ordinance issues not related to the Building Department (Home Structure), please contact the Ordinance Department (located within the Police Department at 1725 Territorial Road on the front side of the Building on Territorial Road) or by phone at 269.926.0616 ext. 114 or by e-mail at jbrown@bentonchartertownship-mi.gov and rporter@bentonchartertownship-mi.gov and either of them can help you further.

Department Members

Inspection, Planning, and Zoning
Andy Dean, Chief Building Official & Zoning Administrator (email: adean@bentonchartertownship-mi.gov) (cell: 269.252.3729)
Loyall Bennett, Building Inspector (email: lbennett@bentonchartertownship-mi.gov) (cell: 269.486.1431)
Caleb O'Toole, Building Inspector (email: cotoole@bentonchartertownship-mi.gov) (cell: 269.313.4231)
Deeann Scalf, Building Dept Adm Assistant (email: dscalf@bentonchartertownship-mi.gov) (direct: 269.925.7284)
Ken Simpson, Electrical Inspector (email: ksimpson.insp@gmail.com) (cell: 269.471.5869)
Rod Wilder, Mechanical Inspector (email: wilderinspections@aol.com) (cell: 269.208.9067)
John Maier, Plumbing Inspector (email: mastermaier1953@gmail.com) (cell: 269.519.8820)
Chris Fuchs, Rental Housing Inspector (email: clauscfuchs@aol.com) (cell: 269.208.7779)


Code Enforcement

The following Codes are enforced within the Benton Township Jurisdiction:

  • 2015 Michigan Building Code (ICC) (available at the counter at our cost)
  • 2015 Michigan Residential Code (ICC) (available at the counter at our cost)
  • 2018 Michigan Electrical Code (2017 NEC)
  • 2021 Michigan Mechanical Code (ICC)
  • 2021 Michigan Plumbing Code (ICC)
  • 2015 International Property Maintenance Code (ICC)
  • 2015 International Fire Code (ICC)
  • 2015 Michigan Energy Code (ICC); note ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1 - 2013 pertains to commercial structures

Code books are available (while supplies last) for purchase at the Building Department counter (call ahead)