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Building Permits

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1. Do I need a permit if I am having a new roof put on?

No, as not as long as you are only replacing the shingles. If there is a need to replace the wood on your roof, we ask that you file an application with the building department. If a permit is not needed, no fee will be charged. Read more about permits...

2. Do I need a permit if I am having new windows and doors installed?

No, not as long as the windows or doors are replacements and you are not increasing or decreasing the size of the opening. Read more about permits...

3. Do I need a permit to move into the store I just leased?

Yes, an application must be filed for the use to be approved prior to any occupancy inspections being performed by the inspector. Read more about permits...

4. Do I need a permit for the electrical wiring I want to do in my house or garage?

Yes, and electrical inspections are needed to make sure the work is safe. Read more about permits...

5. Do I need a permit for minor repairs in my home?

It depends on the kind of repairs you want to make. For full information read more about permits...

6. Do I need a permit to put up a fence?

Yes, any type of fencing, no matter how long, needs a permit. Read more about permits...

7. Do I need a permit to repair the rotted wood on my porch?

Probably not, as long as no structural changes or additions are being made. Read more about permits...

8. Do I need a permit to put in a new bathroom?

Yes, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical inspections are needed to ensure safety. Read more about permits...

9. Do I need a permit to put a light or garage door opener in my detached garage or shed?

Yes, wires going in a trench need to be inspected prior to filling in the trench. Any electricity to the garage / shed must meet the code for your protection. Read more about permits...

10. Do I need a permit to replace my water heater?

Yes, you will need a plumbing permit. Read more about permits...

11. Do I need a permit to replace my furnace or air conditioner?

Yes, you will need a mechanical permit. Read more about permits...

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Lois Wagner Memorial Library

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1. Do you fax?

We do fax; the fee is $2 for the first page and $1 for each page after. We do not receive faxes, though.

2. Do you accept debit/credit cards?

Currently, we do not have the capability to take credit cards at the circulation desk; however, you may pay any fines online with a credit card or debit card by logging into your library account in Vega.

3. What libraries are a part of the Suburban Library Cooperative?

If you are a Richmond or Richmond Township resident, you have a full service library card that also gets you access to the following area libraries: Armada, Center Line, Clinton-Macomb, Chesterfield, Eastpointe, Fraser, Harrison Township, Harper Woods, Lenox Township, MacDonald (New Baltimore), Ray Township, Romeo, Roseville, Shelby Township, Sterling Heights, St. Clair Shores, Troy, Utica, and Warren. This means you can visit the libraries and check out their materials in person, or order items that our library might not have on the shelf.

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Parks & Recreation

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1. Can I rent the Community Center for a private party?

We do rent the Community Center for private parties; including baby showers, wedding showers, and birthdays. 

The building is available for rental on weekends throughout the year. 

The building can be divided for rentals; the large side of the building holds 60 people, seated, and is available for $30 an hour. The small side holds 40 people seated, and is available for $20 an hour. The full building holds 100 people seated and is available for $50 an hour. 

All rentals require a $50 security deposit, which is returned after each rental. 

The kitchen is available for a flat rate of $15 per rental, and includes a stove, 2 ovens, large sinks and a refrigerator. 

Please select the Parks & Facilities tab to find more rental information.

2. Do you have programs for children in the fall and winter?

Most of our children's programs take place in the summer, when we have instructors available. 

We do offer many seasonal special events for children; including the Easter Egg Scramble, "No Tricks Only Treats" Halloween Event and the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting.

3. When will the Summer Activities Guide be available?

The Summer Activities Guide, which includes all of the events, classes, and schedules for the coming summer, will be available in April. 

It will be posted on the Recreation Department webpage and copies will be available for pickup at the Community Center, City Hall, and Lois Wagner Memorial Library in May.

4. How can I get a summer job with the Recreation Department?

The Recreation Department employs a number of seasonal workers for the months of June-August. 

Those who have worked previously with the department are given the opportunity to return to their position the next summer. We start to contact previous staff members late in the winter, and will begin accepting applications from all applicants in March. 

If you are interested in applying, feel free to print a copy of the Application for Employment and return it to the Recreation Department office, located in the Richmond Community Center.

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Police Department

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1. How do I apply for a handgun license?

No permit is required for the purchase of a rifle or shotgun. No rifle, shotgun or handgun may be sold to a minor under 18 years of age, a convicted felon, or a person under indictment.

To purchase a handgun from a private individual, the buyer must obtain a license to purchase from any local police or sheriff department. The buyer must be 18 ears of age, a U.S. citizen, a resident of Michigan, have no felony conviction, have never been adjudged insane (unless later restored by court order). If an individual purchases a pistol from a Federal Firearms Dealer, a License to Purchase is not required. However, a pistol sales record must be completed and the seller's FFL number must be recorded on that form.

The license to purchase must be filled out in triplicate at the time of purchase. The license shall include a description of the handgun sold and the signatures of both the buyer and seller. The seller may retain one copy and the buyer retains a copy, and the last copy is reserved for the Michigan State Police. After purchase and delivery of the handgun is completed, the buyer must return the license to a local licensing (law enforcement) authority within 30 days.

One copy of the license will be held by the local authority for six years and the remaining copy shall be forwarded to the State Police. The license, once issued, becomes void if not used within 30 days. A valid Michigan CPL holder is exempt from license to purchase requirement, however is still subject to the registration requirements and a criminal background (NICS) check.

2. How can I legally carry a handgun and what is the difference between a CCW and a CPL?

A CCW (Carrying Concealed Weapon) is a crime in which a person unlawfully possesses a hidden weapon on or about his person or in a vehicle. A CPL (Concealed Pistol License) is a document granted by the State of Michigan (through its County Gun Boards) authorizing the licensee to possess a concealed pistol on or about his person or vehicle. Many people use the two terms CCW and CPL interchangeably, but the correct terminology is noted above.

The Concealed Pistol License Application Kit is available at the Richmond Police Department, the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office, or the Macomb County Clerk’s Office. The County Clerk’s Office website also allows you to download the application kit online. The packet is included with extensive instructions including the fees and cost.

3. How do I get a copy of an accident report?

There are two main ways to obtain a crash report investigated by the Richmond Police Department. You can come into the Richmond Police Building Complex and ask for a copy. There is a fee charged for this service. You can also go online to our accident report retrieval service website and obtain copy(s) using a credit card. That site is: www.authorizetransaction.com.

Private property accidents that occurred within the city limits of Richmond are only available at the Richmond Police Department.

4. How do I get a copy of a police report?

Copies of reports are available at the Richmond Police Department usually within 24 hours of occurrence. Some reports require the FOIA (Freedom Of Information Act) form to be completed. This form can be obtained, downloaded through this website, and filled out prior to coming to the Richmond Police Department. There is a fee for the processing of reports, copies of recordings, videos, and/or pictures.

5. Do you do employment fingerprinting?

Yes we do. There is a fee charged. No fee will be charged for law enforcement or government (state / county) employment.

6. Do you do court ordered PBT (preliminary breath test) testing?

Yes we do, and there is a fee for this service. Those requiring this service shall bring the necessary court and/or probation forms to be signed with them.

7. How do I obtain a criminal history background check?

The ICHAT (Internet Criminal History Access Tool) allows the search of public records contained in the Michigan Criminal History Record maintained by the Michigan State Police and Criminal Justice Information Center. All felonies and serious misdemeanors that are punishable by over 93 days are required to be reported to the state repository by law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and courts in all 83 Michigan counties.

Suppressed records and warrant information are not available through ICHAT. Also not included are federal records, tribal records, and criminal history from other states. A search for a record that may be in another state requires that you correspond with that state directly.

Anyone can perform a search through ICHAT. At a minimum, the full name of the person and his/her date of birth is required. A fee of $10 is charged for each search.

8. How do I get a Personal Protection Order (PPO)?

You can obtain a PPO from the County Clerk’s Office. The Personal Protection Order Assistance Center is located there and you may receive assistance in completing all the necessary forms. It is located in the Circuit Court Building on the first floor. A PO Packet containing instructions and all necessary forms is available.

9. Where do I obtain a bicycle license?

Bicycle licenses are available at the Richmond Police Department at no cost.

10. Where do I obtain a dog license?

Dog License Applications are obtained at and submitted to Macomb County.

11. How do I obtain a solicitor's permit?

These permits are obtained at the Richmond City Hall.

12. What are the curfew times for the City of Richmond?

It is unlawful for any minor under the age of 17 years to loiter, idle, congregate; or otherwise be in or on any public street, highway, alley, park, or any public place between the hours of 11 p.m. - 6 a.m., except when accompanied by a parent or guardian, or when related to employment, emergency errand, or other legitimate business directed by his/her parent or guardian.

13. Can I park my car on the street?

There is no parking on any curbed street in the City of Richmond from December 1 through April 1, between 3 and 6 a.m.

14. Where can I find a copy of all of the City of Richmond’s ordinances?

View the city’s Code of Ordinances

15. What are the new changes to the seat belt laws and child restraints?

Children under the age of 4 must be in approved safety seats, wherever they are seated. For children less than 20 pounds, the child or infant seat must face the rear of the vehicle, according to the standard in the Code of Federal Regulations. However, rear-facing infant seats should never be placed in the front passenger seat of a vehicle equipped with air bags. Inflating air bags can seriously injure or suffocate the child. The safest place for a child in a passenger vehicle is in the middle of the back seat, properly buckled. Never hold a child on your lap or buckle a child with another passenger into one safety belt.

Children 4 years of age or more, but less than 16 years of age must be protected by a safety belt in the front or back seat. Until children are 8 years old or 4 feet, 9 inches tall, they must be in either a properly fitting child safety seat or booster seat.

The driver and all front seat passengers must wear a safety belt. Young people under age 18 cannot ride in the open bed of a pickup truck traveling more than 15 mph. The law allows exceptions for vehicles used by farmers, construction workers, the military, in parades, and by authorized emergency and rescue personnel.

16. How do I get a burn permit?

View the burn permit form .

17. How do I place my home on the vacation house check list?

Utilize the Housewatch List Request Form. Fill out the form completely and submit it online to us or bring the completed form into the police department. Housewatch List Request Form

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Water & Sewer Billing

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1. How is the amount of my water and sewer bill determined?

Water and sewer service is billed on the basis of actual usage as measured by your water meter. Once every three months a city meter reader visits your property to obtain a current water meter reading. By taking this reading and subtracting the meter reading from the previous quarter, we are able to determine how much water was consumed for the period. The city’s water meters register water usage in tens, hundreds and thousand gallons.

2. How does the city use the money collected from water and sewer charges?

Money collected from water and sewer fees is accounted for separately from other city funds and is used only for the operation, maintenance, and capital replacement needs of the water and sewer systems. The city’s water and sewer systems are each operated as self-sufficient entities supported only by the fees paid by users and not by general tax dollars

3. What happens if I don’t pay my water or sewer bill in time?

Each water bill you receive from the city specifies a due date for payment. Failure to make payment within 30 days of this due date results in an immediate penalty of 10% which is added to the amount due. If the bill remains unpaid, the city then sends a reminder, giving an additional 30 days with a shut off date. If this is done, an additional charge of $40 is imposed to reinstate service. Finally, state law and city ordinance provide that unpaid water bills are the responsibility of the property owner and may be liened against the property in the same manner as property taxes.

4. How can I determine if I have a water leak?

Many water leaks are obvious: dripping faucets, leaking pipes, leaking how water tanks, or stuck relief valves on hot water
tanks and boilers. These leaks should be fixed as soon as possible since even a slow dripping faucet can waste large amounts of water in a very shore time. Concealed leaks in walls or ceilings can be detected by the presence of water or stains on walls or on the floor of the basement. The most common location of water leaks is the toilet.

Defective ball cock valves or poorly fitting seals will allow water to continually flow from the tank into the toilet bowl. Very often this type of leak cannot be noticed by the naked eye. Placing a few drops of food coloring in the toilet tank can help you detect leaks. Let the water sit for several hours without flushing.

If the water in the toilet bowl becomes tinted, the toilet is leaking. If you suspect you have a water leak but are unable to detect it on your own, you can request assistance from the city’s Water Maintenance Department. To schedule a leak inspection appointment, you should call 586-727-7571. There is no charge for this service.

5. Is it necessary to go to City Hall to sign up for, or discontinue, service?

No. However, because unpaid water and sewer charges constitute a tax lien against the property and its owner, all service changes need to be acknowledged and signed for by the property owner. If you are discontinuing service, please call for a final water meter reading and billing. This will be mailed out or you may pick it up. Requests for a final meter reading must be made with 24 hours advance notice.

6. What should I do in case of a water emergency?

If you have an emergency situation, you should contact the Richmond Department of Public Works at 586-727-7575. After regular working hours, you should call the Richmond Police Department at 586-727-7545.