Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Mathias Township, Michigan

Mathias Township’s own rules

• InspectionsLimited

  Buildings and premises subject to Mathias Township zoning enforcement.

  • The ordinance empowers inspections for enforcement; it does not provide a complete construction-inspection schedule.

  “make inspections of buildings or premises”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land within Mathias Township, Alger County, Michigan.

  • The ordinance establishes zoning districts, permits, fees, penalties, and administrative enforcement provisions.

  “An Ordinance to establish zoning districts and regulations governing the development and use of land within Mathias Township, Alger County, Michigan, in accordance with the provisions of Act 110, Public Acts of 2006, as amended; to provide for regulations governing nonconforming uses and structures; to provide for a Board of Appeals and for its powers and duties; to provide for permits, fees, penalties and other administrative provisions to enforce this Ordinance; and to provide for resolution of conflicts with other ordinances or regulations.”

• Manufactured homesLimited

  Mobile homes used as dwellings within Mathias Township.

  • A mobile home must be attached to a permanent foundation in accordance with the Alger County Building Code.
  • A mobile home must be installed under manufacturer setup instructions and anchored under applicable rules.
  • The quoted requirements do not apply to mobile homes in licensed mobile-home parks except as required by state/federal law or otherwise specifically required by the ordinance.

  “firmly attached to a permanent foundation”

• Permit processPartial

  Mathias Township zoning compliance permits and associated zoning applications.

  • The Zoning Administrator maintains application files and issued/denied permit records.
  • The evidence establishes recordkeeping, not a complete application checklist.

  “maintain files of all applications for zoning compliance permits”

Rules another office applies inside Mathias Township

Mathias Township does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

• Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

  On-site sewage systems inside Mathias Township, because LMAS serves Alger County.

  • LMAS applies the Upper Peninsula Environmental Health Code and its technical manuals.

  “A Public Health Agency Serving Luce, Mackinac, Alger & Schoolcraft Counties”

• Septic permitRequired

  New, modified, or replacement on-site sewage disposal systems inside Mathias Township.

  • Before installation, LMAS conducts a site evaluation assessing soil suitability, system placement, and environmental impact.

  “Our program establishes requirements for construction permits, ensuring that all new, modified, or replacement sewage disposal systems are installed safely and effectively. Before any system is installed, a thorough site evaluation is conducted to assess soil suitability, system placement, and environmental impact.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Mathias Township or Alger County directly.

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential work within Mathias Township.
• Building code adopted — Building-code adoption applicable within Mathias Township.
• Certificate of occupancy — Residential construction and occupancy within Mathias Township.
• Living in an RV — Long-term RV occupancy on private land within Mathias Township.
• Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land within Mathias Township.

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.