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June 2025

During our initial meeting with the judge hearing our cases, we were informed that LARA agreed to pause implementation of the 2021 codes until our injunctive and declaratory relief claims are fully heard and conclusively decided. This means the August 29 implementation date for the 2021 residential codes has been delayed until further notice and the 2015 codes remain in effect.

Click here to read further and stay tuned for more updates.

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March 2025

Our team is engaging with members of the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR), which has oversight on the proposed building code changes. A hearing on these changes is expected to take place in early March.

We are urging JCAR to send the proposed codes back to LARA and request that they return with the 2024 International Residential Code (IRC).

LARA has indicated they intend to move toward the more flexible code set but only after first adopting the 2021 IRC. This approach would cause significant delays, as Michigan’s building codes cannot be updated more frequently than once every three years. If the 2021 IRC is adopted first, the state would not be able to adopt the 2024 IRC until 2028, putting us further behind.

We are closely monitoring developments and awaiting the outcome of an upcoming hearing. There may be a call to action for our members, so stay tuned for updates on how you can help advocate for a more flexible and practical code.

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Late last year this community doubled water and sewer tap-in fees. After being notified of this action by an HBA member, your state association filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to see how these new rates were determined. The city, in response to our FOIA request, admitted that they had no study or analysis done before pushing this increase through. Adjacent communities have fees that are less than half the cost now being charged in Owosso. We filed a lawsuit against the city and in July we have a preliminary hearing in Shiawassee County Circuit Court.

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We secured a major legal victory last October in the long-running lawsuit against the City of Troy over excessive permit fees. In a unanimous 3-0 decision, the Michigan Court of Appeals (COA) ruled against the city, affirming that their permit fees violated the Headlee Amendment, which prohibits local governments from imposing taxes without voter approval.

The lawsuit was filed 14 years ago after discovering that Troy outsourced its permitting activities and collected a 20-25% commission on each permit issued - far exceeding the costs of administering the permitting process. This practice, the courts confirmed, amounted to an unauthorized tax on builders and homeowners.

What’s Next?

• The City of Troy has appealed the COA decision to the Michigan Supreme Court.
• We are currently waiting to hear if the Supreme Court will take up the case.
• If the Supreme Court declines to hear the appeal, the Court of Appeals ruling will stand, marking a definitive victory for HBAM and for builders across Michigan.

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We're working with the Michigan Public Service Commission and high volume builders to narrow in on changes that would help speed utility connections for builders across the state.

We will hold Zoom calls with Consumers Energy, DTE and the Michigan Public Service Commission on the fourth Wednesday of each month until October 2025. Click here to see the dates and to register. You can also report utility hookup challenges or delays using our builder issue reporting form.

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The Housing Michigan Coalition is working to develop a bipartisan package of bills to try to facilitate more attainable housing opportunities across the state. Stay tuned for more information.