Navigate Oakland County’s 2024 Building Codes and Painting Requirements Like a Pro
Whether you’re planning a fresh coat of paint for your home’s interior or a complete exterior makeover, understanding Oakland County’s building codes and painting compliance requirements for 2024 is essential for homeowners and contractors alike. With evolving regulations around lead safety, EPA certification requirements, and local jurisdiction standards, staying informed can save you from costly fines and ensure your project meets all necessary safety protocols.
Understanding Oakland County’s Building Code Framework
The Michigan Building Code controls all matters concerning the construction, alteration, addition, repair, removal, demolition, use, location, occupancy, and maintenance of all buildings and structures and their service equipment. Oakland County does not control local planning and zoning for Cities, Villages, or Townships. Below are links to the municipal departments responsible for planning and zoning functions at the local level. This means that while state-level codes provide the foundation, individual municipalities within Oakland County may have additional requirements.
Prior to applying for a building permit, it is suggested the applicant review the Statewide Jurisdiction List. This information is updated regularly due to changes in the building code enforcement that may be conducted by either the state, county or local unit of government. A building permit application must be submitted to the appropriate enforcing agency.
When Painting Requires Permits in Oakland County
Most standard interior and exterior painting projects don’t require building permits in Oakland County. A permit is not required for ordinary repairs. Ordinary repairs to structures may be made without permit, but such repairs shall not include the cutting away of any wall, partition or portion thereof, the removal or cutting of any structural beam or bearing support, or the removal or change of any required means of egress, or rearrangement of parts of a structure affecting the exit requirements; nor shall ordinary repairs including addition to, alteration of, replacement or relocation of any standpipe, water supply, sewer, drainage, drain leader, gas soil, waste, vent or similar piping, electric wiring or mechanical or other work affecting public health or general safety.
However, certain painting projects may trigger permit requirements, particularly when they involve structural modifications or work on buildings with specific historical designations. All exterior changes, including, but not limited to painting and signage must be approved by the Planning Department before the Building Department in some municipalities like Birmingham.
Critical Lead Safety Requirements for 2024
The most significant compliance requirement for painting contractors and homeowners involves lead safety regulations. EPA requires that RRP projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities and preschools built before 1978 be performed by lead-safe certified contractors. Lead-based paint – often found in homes and furniture painted prior to 1978.
Lead Renovator RRP certification is required for any and all renovation activities that disturb more than 6 square feet of interior or 20 square feet of exterior paint in residential or child-occupied facilities built before 1978. Professionals who do not comply are at risk to be fined by the EPA or state authority, as these properties may contain harmful lead-based paint.
EPA RRP Certification Requirements
Federal law requires all renovation, repair, and painting firms (including sole proprietorships) working in housing, or facilities where children are routinely present, built before 1978, to be certified. Firm certification is a key requirement to ensure the training of individuals and the use of lead-safe work practices.
The RRP Rule requires that renovators are trained in the use of lead safe work practices, that renovators and firms be certified, that providers of renovation training be accredited, and that renovators follow specific work practice standards. The EPA lead certification is good for five years.
Michigan-Specific Painting Regulations
Michigan follows federal EPA guidelines but has not been authorized to operate its own RRP program. EPA’s renovation program applies to all states, tribes and territories where EPA has not specifically provided authorization for that state, tribe or territory to operate the program themselves. Therefore, if you do work in an area other than the states or the tribe listed in the paragraph below, apply for EPA Firm Certification. This means Oakland County contractors must obtain EPA certification rather than state-specific credentials.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides information about EPA lead laws and regulations; Pre-Renovation Education (PRE) Rule [Michigan PRE form]; lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) program rules, including the Lead-Safe Certified Guide to Renovate Right booklet; and lead residential lead-based paint disclosure program rules.
Working with Professional Contractors
When selecting a painting contractor for your Oakland County project, ensuring proper certification is crucial. A qualified Painting Contractor in Oakland County, MI like Legends Painting understands these compliance requirements thoroughly. Legends Painting is built on more than 10 years of hands-on painting experience. We specialize in delivering exceptional residential and commercial painting services. Family-owned and operated, we prioritize superior workmanship, customer satisfaction, and competitive pricing to make sure you’ll call us for your next project too.
Legends Painting proudly serves Macomb and Oakland Counties with professional painting services built on 10+ years of industry experience and dedication. Our team focuses on delivering beautiful, long-lasting results at competitive prices, ensuring every customer is 100% satisfied with the finished project.
Best Practices for Compliance
To ensure your painting project meets all 2024 requirements, follow these essential steps:
- Assume that paint on a home built before 1978 is lead-based.
- If you are painting or remodeling, use lead-safe work practices including proper containment.
- You can also hire a certified Lead Inspector to assess your home; a list of certified Lead Inspectors in Michigan is available at: https://www.michigan.gov.
- Verify that your contractor has proper EPA RRP certification if working on pre-1978 properties
- Ensure all work follows proper containment and cleanup procedures
Protecting Your Investment
Children and pregnant women should not be present in housing built before 1978 that is undergoing renovations. Professional contractors understand these safety requirements and implement proper protocols to protect occupants during painting projects.
Choosing the right painter in Oakland County means selecting a team that values quality materials and proper techniques. We use a variety of paints, from durable acrylics for exterior trim and detail painting to specialized coatings suitable for healthcare facility painting or warehouse & industrial painting.
Understanding Oakland County’s building codes and painting compliance requirements for 2024 ensures your project proceeds smoothly while protecting your family’s health and your property investment. By working with certified professionals who understand these evolving regulations, you can achieve beautiful, lasting results that meet all safety and legal standards. Whether you’re refreshing a single room or undertaking a complete exterior transformation, proper compliance protects everyone involved and delivers the quality results you deserve.