Plymouth Township’s Building Department issued 173 building permits in July, its highest monthly total so far in 2026, while township records show two new commercial projects valued at a combined $14.05 million have been permitted this year., according to the Aug. 25 Board of Trustees meeting packet.

Those projects include a $10 million Penske truck service facility with offices at 40225 Schoolcraft Road, permitted in June, and a $4.05 million Plymouth Exchange pump station at 48401 Five Mile Road, permitted in July.

The Building Department generated $369,509 in permit revenue across 423 records during July.

On the residential side, the township issued permits for two single-family homes and four townhouse buildings totaling 20 units, with a combined construction value of about $5.84 million.

Fire calls rise 19% year over year

The construction activity comes alongside a sharp increase in emergency calls.

The Plymouth Township Fire Department responded to 409 calls in July, up about 19% from 344 calls in July 2025. The department averaged 13 runs per day with an average response time of 6 minutes, 13 seconds.

According to Fire Chief Pat Conely's monthly report, a fast-moving thunderstorm July 3 downed power lines and caused a multiday outage across a large portion of the township. The department responded to more than 30 storm-related calls that day alone.

Staffing shortages also affected operations.

"Several injuries are affecting department staffing," Conely wrote. "Due to the shortage of available personnel Station 2 closed for 81 hours in July."

The department reported 17 fires during the month that caused $345,100 in property damage. It also reported preventing more than $102 million in property from being destroyed.

The July building and fire reports are included in the Plymouth Township Board of Trustees' Aug. 25 meeting packet. Trustees meet at 6:30 p.m. at Township Hall, 9955 N. Haggerty Road.