The Southwest Michigan Building Authority is following the guidance of federal, state, and local government health authorities regarding COVID-19. All updates regarding SMBA and the COVID-19 pandemic will be posted to this page, as well as any temporary workflow changes.
Resources:
State of Michigan Resource Center
Kalamazoo County Resource Center
We are currently open to the public during our normal office hours.
We encourage people to utilize email and our drop box located in the parking lot to limit entry to the office building as much as possible.
You may submit applications online using the web forms on our applications & forms page, via email to info@swmiba.org, by mail, in the drop box located in our parking lot, or in-person during our posted office hours.
SMBA is performing regular inspections.
You may continue to request inspections via our inspection request form (preferred), phone, or email.
You should expect normal processing times of 7-10 business days.
Oshtemo Township will be open BY APPOINTMENT ONLY during the week of 4/26 – 4/30. Because we rent office space from the township, this means that SMBA will also be closed to the public during that time frame. Our staff will be available during our normal hours. Applications may be submitted via email to info@swmiba.org or placed in our drop box located in the parking lot. Payments may be made over the phone (3% processing fee), or checks may be placed in the drop box as well.
If you need to meet with us in-person, you may make an appointment by calling 269-585-4150.
Click the link below to view the notice.
SMBA follows the office hours published by Oshtemo Township. Oshtemo has revised their schedule to go back to normal office hours for the time being. Therefore, SMBA’s current open office hours are:
Mon-Thurs: 8am to 5pm
Fri: 8am to 1pm
Click the link below to view the attached notice.
SMBA Notice of Electronic Regular Board Meeting Thru 2020
SMBA has caught up on our backlog of applications. We have returned to our normal lead times for application requests.
Our office remains closed to the public. In the meantime, we are able to schedule appointments when necessary.
Please call us to determine whether or not an appointment is needed.
As always, staff are available during our normal office hours via email, phone, or our contact form.
You may continue to request inspections via the online form, email, or phone.
(No Longer Effective)
As of today (6/22/2020), SMBA staff are authorized to be in the office full-time to work through our backlog of permit applications in order to better serve our customers.
Mail is being collected and processed daily. Please note however that due to the spike in applications, our lead time has increased to between 10-14 business days from the time the application is received.
Our office will remain closed until at least July 7th. Further information will follow.
In the meantime, we are able to schedule appointments when necessary. Please call us to determine whether or not an appointment is needed.
As always, staff are available during our normal office hours via email, phone, or our contact form.
You may continue to request inspections via the online form, email, or phone.
(No Longer Effective)
SMBA staff are now in the office during our normal office hours with limited staffing to further facilitate the processing of applications and inspection requests.
Our office remains closed to the public for the time being. We are seeking the ability to get both of our office staff in the office to better serve you.
Mail is now being processed daily, however we have seen a major uptick in applications and we are working diligently to get through them all. We ask for your patience as we work through this backlog.
(No Longer Effective)
In accordance with the relevant executive orders issued by Governor Whitmer, SMBA has resumed most of our operations.
While our office remains closed to the public, staff will (to the furthest extent possible) continue to work from home to support our operations and our customers.
We have set up a pick up / drop off area just inside the main entrance of the Oshtemo Township Hall.
We are still coordinating with the township as to when this area will be open to the public. More information will follow.
As always, staff are available during our normal office hours via email, phone, or our contact form.
You may continue to request inspections via the online form, email, or phone.
Staff will be collecting mail from our office on Mondays and Wednesdays until further notice.
(No Longer Effective)
Governor Whitmer’s E.O. 2020-59 extends the stay at home order to at least May 15th.
SMBA offices will remain closed. Staff will continue to be available via phone, email, and our contact form during our regular business hours.
We will continue to issue permits, but note that the only work that is permitted to start prior to the lifting of the restrictions imposed by the governor is that of an emergency nature as determined by the building official.
You may continue to request inspections. Inspections will be completed in the order received once the governor’s restrictions are lifted.
Applications and payments submitted to SMBA via the mail or any other parcel service to our office or submitted via the drop box located in our parking lot will be collected and processed on a bi-weekly basis. The next collection date as of this writing is: May 5, 2020.
SMBA has elected to have the April board meeting as a conference call.
The public is welcome to join this call using the call-in information below.
Anyone having public comment should submit it by April 22nd either via email or our contact form.
Call-in Number: 269-585-4158
Conference ID: 276328
(No Longer Effective)
On April 9th, Governor Whitmer issued E.O. 2020-42, which extends the temporary restrictions imposed under E.O. 2020-21 to at least April 30th.
SMBA offices will continue to remain closed. Staff will continue to be available via phone, email, and our contact form during our regular business hours.
We will continue to issue permits, but note that the only work that is permitted to start prior to the lifting of the restrictions imposed by the governor is that of an emergency nature as determined by the building official.
You may continue to request inspections. Inspections will be completed in the order received once the governor’s restrictions are lifted.
Applications and payments submitted to SMBA via the mail or any other parcel service to our office or submitted via the dropbox located in our parking lot will be collected and processed on a bi-weekly basis. The next collection date as of this writing is 4/21.
(No Longer Effective)
In accordance with Governor Whitmer’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” executive order 2020-21, all non-essential SMBA operations have been suspended.
Regarding permits and inspections, the only work moving forward shall be of an emergency nature as determined by the building official.
Staff will continue to be available via phone, email, or our contact form during our normal business hours.
Our office will continue to be closed until further notice.
(No Longer Effective)
Oshtemo Township has established a resource center that is open to the public during the normal business hours of 8am-5pm M-TR, 8am-1pm F.
This resource center contains SMBA application forms and instructions, and is disinfected regularly. It is located directly inside the main entrance of the township hall located at 7275 W Main St.
Applications/Forms completed in this area should be deposited in the drop box in the parking lot, located directly across from the main entrance.
(No Longer Effective)
SMBA is revising it’s earlier statement which listed reduced office hours. Until further notice, SMBA will be CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC, except by appointment.
(No Longer Effective)
Effective Tuesday, 2020-03-17, the Southwest Michigan Building Authority will be operating with reduced public office hours.
Staff will be in the office to receive applications and take questions from 9am to noon on Mondays, Wednesday, and Fridays. Outside of these timeframes, SMBA will continue to be available over the phone and via email during normal business hours. Applicants may also make use of the township dropbox located in the parking lot of our office.
Applications submitted via mail and email will continue to be processed. Inspections will continue as normal.
Inspection requests can be submitted either via email, phone, or our new online form. If you have any questions regarding this decision, you may direct them to our office at info@swmiba.org or 269-585-4150. Thank you for your understanding as we navigate this public health crisis.
OUR MISSION
To provide our customers with professional, prompt, and fiscally responsible services for building permitting, inspections, and code enforcement.
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