FIRST, read about the approval process.  Make sure that you consider the “Standard Turnaround Time” of the approvals that apply to you when developing the schedule to develop your business, or tackle your household project.  When renewing approvals, assure that you re-apply with enough lead time to allow the Department to develop your new approval.

SECOND, answer “yes” or “no” to the “Twenty Questions”.  This will help you determine which categories of approvals you may need.

THIRD, based on your answers to the “Twenty Questions,” go directly to the descriptions or fact sheets of the pertinent approvals.  These descriptions have one or two questions at the beginning that will help you determine whether that particular approval may be required.  Each approval description answers the following questions, where applicable:

• Do I need this approval?
• What must I do to get this approval?
• How long will it take to get the approval once I submit a complete and accurate application?
• Who do I contact with questions about this approval?
• Do I need to get any approvals from my local or Federal government before I can get this approval?
• How much will the approval cost?
• Once I get the approval, how long will the permit last?
• Do I need to know any other information to get this approval?
• If you need this, you’ll probably need that: What other approvals might I need for this activity?
• What is MDE’s legal authority to issue this approval?

FOURTH, contact the approval program directly or go to the MDE permit forms download page in order to obtain the applications you need.  The individual program contacts can help you fill out the applications.  These program contacts are on each individual approval description or fact sheet or in the MDE Contacts directory.

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