Bolthole Index

Antrim County, Michigan

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Chestonia Township, Michigan

Building construction in Chestonia Township, in Antrim County, requires a building permit, with ordinary repairs excepted; Antrim County is identified as the enforcing jurisdiction.1 The Health Department of Northwest Michigan evaluates septic sites, issues septic permits and performs a final review.2 Antrim County has no countywide zoning ordinance, but we could not confirm Chestonia Township's own zoning rules, so ask the township before relying on any proposed use.3

At a glance

Building permit
Required for construction and changes in use or occupancy; ordinary repairs are excepted1
Building office
Antrim County Construction Code Department4
Zoning
No countywide zoning; Chestonia Township rules remain unconfirmed3
Septic
HDNW site evaluation, permit and final review required2
Private well
HDNW evaluates the site, issues the permit and performs a final review5
Owner-builder
Licensing exemption available for a home built for the owner's own use and occupancy; permits still apply6
RV or tiny home
Local occupancy and zoning rules could not be confirmed; ask Chestonia Township3

Who to call

Building permits

Antrim County Construction Code Department

Building, plumbing, electrical and mechanical permits and inspections

231-533-8373

[email protected]

203 E. Cayuga St. PO Box 188 Bellaire, MI 49615

Septic permits

Health Department of Northwest Michigan — Antrim County office

Septic site evaluations, construction permits and final reviews for Antrim County

800-432-4121

209 Portage Dr. Bellaire, MI 49615

Roads & driveways

Antrim County Road Commission

Driveway and right-of-way permit contact for county roads

231-587-8521

[email protected]

319 East Lincoln Street, P.O. Box 308, Mancelona, MI 49659

Online permits →

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 9, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Chestonia Township means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Chestonia Township, Michigan?

Yes. Construction of a building or structure and a change in use or occupancy in Chestonia Township require a written building-permit application, while ordinary repairs are excepted.1 Antrim County is identified as the enforcing jurisdiction for Chestonia Township, and the county department retains building, plumbing, electrical and mechanical permits.14

Michigan's construction-code system applies in Chestonia Township, with residential requirements in the Michigan Residential Code.7 Permitted construction is inspected, and an Antrim County residential permit remains valid while work progresses and inspections are requested and conducted.8 A new or altered building may not be occupied until the code official issues a Certificate of Occupancy after the required work and permit closeout are complete.9

Who issues building permits in Chestonia Township?

Start with the Antrim County Construction Code Department for building, plumbing, electrical and mechanical permits and inspections.4 The office is at 203 E. Cayuga St. PO Box 188 Bellaire, MI 49615, can be reached at 231-533-8373, and lists [email protected].4

A permit application generally needs construction documents, although the building official may waive them when the project description is enough to determine code compliance.10 Plans for a one- or two-family dwelling below 3,500 square feet of calculated floor area do not require an architect's or professional engineer's seal and signature under the cited state process.10 Ask the department which applications, plan details and inspections apply to the specific project before work begins.4

Does Chestonia Township have zoning?

Antrim County does not administer a countywide zoning ordinance; zoning authority belongs to local units of government.3 The county identifies several townships with their own zoning ordinances, but Chestonia Township is not among the townships named in that county summary.11 That does not prove that every land-use question in Chestonia Township is unrestricted.

We could not confirm a Chestonia Township zoning ordinance, zoning map or dimensional schedule. Ask Chestonia Township directly about the parcel's allowed use, setbacks, minimum lot size, building height, minimum dwelling size, accessory dwellings, manufactured homes and short-term rentals before buying or designing. Building-code, septic, well, driveway and floodplain requirements can still apply even when countywide zoning does not.1251213

How do septic and well permits work in Chestonia Township?

The Health Department of Northwest Michigan serves Antrim County and handles onsite sewage systems in Chestonia Township.14 Before a septic system is installed, HDNW evaluates the site and issues a septic permit; installation is followed by final review.2 The system must remain available for inspection and ordinarily cannot be used before inspection and Health Officer approval.15

Only about 8% of Antrim County soils are mapped without severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, so a site evaluation is a central feasibility check rather than a formality.16 HDNW also regulates residential wells in Chestonia Township by evaluating the site, issuing a well permit and conducting a final review after installation.5 Contact the Bellaire office at 800-432-4121 before committing to a house location.17

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Chestonia Township?

We could not confirm a Chestonia Township rule that allows or prohibits long-term RV living, temporary camping, tiny-home occupancy or manufactured-home occupancy on a private parcel. Antrim County's lack of countywide zoning does not settle rules that a township may administer or separate health and construction requirements.3

Michigan's tiny-house guidance does not create a statewide right to occupy a tiny home; it calls for applicable local zoning, building, electrical and plumbing approvals and health-department approval for wells and septic systems.18 State campground rules address qualifying campgrounds, not a single household's unrestricted right to live in an RV on private land.19 Ask Chestonia Township about land use and occupancy, then confirm construction questions with Antrim County and sanitation questions with HDNW.417

Building a home in Chestonia Township: what are the steps?

  1. Ask Chestonia Township to confirm the parcel's land-use status, allowed dwelling type, setbacks and any local approvals; the county has no countywide zoning ordinance.3
  2. Have HDNW evaluate the proposed septic and well locations before fixing the house site; both systems require its review and permitting.25
  3. If access will use a county road right-of-way, obtain the Antrim County Road Commission driveway permit before constructing, reconstructing or paving the driveway.12
  4. Submit the building-permit application and required plans to the Antrim County Construction Code Department before regulated work begins.204
  5. Schedule required inspections as work progresses, obtain final septic approval, and request the Certificate of Occupancy before using the completed home.8159

What should you check before buying land in Chestonia Township?

Confirm buildability across several authorities before closing. Ask Chestonia Township about parcel-specific land use because Antrim County does not administer countywide zoning.3 Ask HDNW whether the proposed house site can support the planned septic system and well; Antrim County's soil mapping makes early septic evaluation especially important.2516

Confirm legal driveway access with the Antrim County Road Commission for a county road, or with MDOT when access meets a state trunkline.1221 Waterfront properties under the county building process must provide elevations and flood certification before back-fill inspections.22 Antrim County's effective property tax rate is about 0.9%, and its median annual property-tax bill is about $2,033; these county figures are context, not a parcel tax quote.2324

Watch-outs

  • Do not read Antrim County's lack of countywide zoning as confirmation that an RV, tiny home or accessory dwelling is allowed on a Chestonia Township parcel; ask the township about the proposed use.3
  • Only about 8% of Antrim County soils are mapped without severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, so obtain HDNW's site evaluation before relying on a building layout.16
  • A new driveway or work on an existing driveway in an Antrim County road right-of-way requires a Road Commission permit.12

Sources

  1. Building Permit Information (Chestonia Township), quoted and re-checked
  2. nwhealth.org (Chestonia Township), quoted and re-checked
  3. Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  4. Antrim County Construction Code Department (antrimcountymi.gov)
  5. Drinking Water – Health Department of Northwest Michigan (Chestonia Township), quoted and re-checked
  6. Frequently Asked Questions – Residential Builder (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  7. Code Books | Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (Chestonia Township), quoted and re-checked
  8. Michigan Residential Code 2015 Residential Plan Review Compliance List (Chestonia Township), quoted and re-checked
  9. Certificate of Occupancy Request (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. Building Permit Information | Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (Chestonia Township), quoted and re-checked
  11. Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  12. Permits – Antrim County Road Commission, quoted and re-checked
  13. Floodplains (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. nwhealth.org (Chestonia Township), quoted and re-checked
  15. Environmental Health – Health Department of Northwest Michigan (Chestonia Township), quoted and re-checked
  16. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  17. Health Department of Northwest Michigan — Antrim County office (nwhealth.org)
  18. michigan.gov (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. Legislation governing campgrounds in Michigan (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  20. Building Information, quoted and re-checked
  21. Infrastructure permits (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  22. Building Information, quoted and re-checked
  23. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  24. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 9, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Chestonia Township

Rules another office applies inside Chestonia Township

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

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction of a building or structure inside Chestonia Township, through the appropriate enforcing agency.

    • A permit is also required when the use or occupancy of a structure or portion thereof is changed.
    • Ordinary repairs do not require a permit.
    • The application must be submitted to the appropriate enforcing agency.
    “Before construction of a building or structure, an owner, or the owner's builder, architect, engineer, or agent, shall submit an application in writing to the appropriate enforcing agency for a building permit. A permit is also required when the use or occupancy of a structure or portion thereof is changed.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Required — Building construction and structure-use changes inside Chestonia Township, with Antrim County identified as the enforcing jurisdiction.
      “Before construction of a building or structure, an owner, or the owner's builder, architect, engineer, or agent, shall submit an application in writing to the appropriate enforcing agency for a building permit. A permit is also required when the use or occupancy of a structure or portion thereof is changed. A permit is not required for ordinary repairs.”
    • Required — Construction of a building or structure, and changes in use or occupancy, inside Chestonia Township.
      “Before construction of a building or structure [...] shall submit [...] a building permit.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Building construction inside Chestonia Township subject to Michigan's statewide construction-code system and the appropriate enforcing agency.

    • Residential requirements are contained in the Michigan Residential Code.

    Michigan Building Code effective date: 2025-04-09 · Michigan Residential Code effective date: 2016-02-08

    “2021 Michigan Building Code -Current Code-Effective April 9, 2025 [...] 2015 Michigan Residential Code Current Code – Effective February 8, 2016”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Adopted — Building construction and occupancy inside Chestonia Township under the Michigan Building Code and Michigan Residential Code.
      “The Michigan Building Code controls all matters concerning the construction”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Permitted residential building projects inside Chestonia Township administered under Antrim County's jurisdiction.

    • The Antrim County handout states that permits remain valid while inspections are requested and conducted.
    • A permit is cancelled when no inspection is requested and conducted within six months of issuance or the previous inspection.
    • Cancelled permits cannot be refunded or reinstated and a new permit with fees is required.
    “Your permit remains VALID as long as work is progressing and inspections are requested and conducted.”
  • Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

    On-site sewage systems inside Chestonia Township, which is in Antrim County.

    • HDNW is a district health department serving Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet, and Otsego Counties.
    • The District Sanitary Code is governed by the District Board of Health of those four counties.
    “HDNW is organized as a district health department for the counties of Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet, and Otsego.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Local (with conditions) — On-site sewage systems inside Chestonia Township, Antrim County.
      “Prior to installing a sewage (septic) system, HDNW works with the property owner to evaluate the site and issue a permit. [...] Antrim, Charlevoix, & Emmet Counties Application”
    • Mixed (with conditions) — Individual onsite septic systems serving homes inside Chestonia Township.
      “Prior to installing a sewage (septic) system, HDNW [...] issue a permit. [...] We proudly serve the residents of Antrim [...] Counties.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Installation of a sewage (septic) system inside Chestonia Township, Antrim County.

    • HDNW evaluates the site before issuing the permit.
    • A final review follows installation.
    “Prior to installing a sewage (septic) system, HDNW works with the property owner to evaluate the site and issue a permit. A final review provides assurance that the system will operate as intended. To apply for a permit, please complete one of the below applications.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Individual onsite septic systems for homes inside Chestonia Township.
      “construction permit issued by the Health Officer”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Installation of wastewater systems, including septic systems, inside Chestonia Township, because Chestonia Township is in Antrim County and the Health Department of Northwest Michigan serves Antrim County.

    • The Health Officer conducts inspections deemed necessary to ensure the wastewater system complies with the District Sanitary Code and permit conditions.
    • The owner or owner’s agent must notify the Health Officer when the system is installed and ready for inspection.
    • Notification must be provided at least two working days before anticipated system completion and the desired final inspection.
    • The wastewater system must remain in a condition allowing proper inspection.
    • The system may not be put into use before inspection and Health Officer approval, unless the Health Officer gives permission and a sewage treatment and disposal system affidavit is submitted.
    • For engineered systems, the design engineer must inspect the system and an as-built drawing must be submitted to the Health Officer within thirty working days.
    • The District Sanitary Code requires a construction permit issued by the Health Officer and final approval under the Code before construction, repair, alteration, extension, or operation of a sewage treatment and disposal facility.

    inspection notification lead time: >= 2 working days (before anticipated system completion and desired final inspection) · engineered-system as-built submission deadline: <= 30 working days (after inspection; engineered systems only)

    “The wastewater system must be left in a condition that allows for proper inspection and may not be put into use prior to an inspection and approval by the Health Officer, except with the permission of the Health Officer and submittal of a sewage treatment and disposal system affidavit.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Individual onsite septic systems for homes inside Chestonia Township.
      “prior to an inspection and approval by the Health Officer”
  • Well permitRequired

    Residential wells inside Chestonia Township.

    • HDNW evaluates the site before issuing the permit.
    • HDNW conducts a final review once the well is installed.
    • Existing-well remodeling, repair, or changes are subject to the separate application rule described on the page when system demands or setup will change.
    • The permit application must be accompanied by the fee.
    • Miss Dig utility marking adds four business days for applicable applications.

    utility-marking lead time: 4 business days (for septic, well, existing-system, and site-evaluation applications)

    “For safety reasons, HDNW regulates residential wells. Before a resident or business installs a well, we evaluate the site and issue a permit, as well as do a final review once the well is installed.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Building-permit applications for construction inside Chestonia Township, submitted to the appropriate enforcing agency.

    • Construction documents are required with each permit application, although the building official may waive submission when code compliance can be determined from the application description.
    • Construction documents must be sealed and signed by an architect or professional engineer except as stated by the source.
    • A building permit application must be submitted to the appropriate enforcing agency.

    one- and two-family dwelling calculated floor area threshold: < 3500 square feet (Seal and signature are not required below this threshold.) · public works total construction-cost threshold: < 15000 USD (Seal and signature are not required below this threshold.)

    “A set of construction documents is required with each application for a permit. The submission of construction documents may be waived by the building official when code compliance can be determined based on the description in the application. Construction documents must be sealed and signed by an architect or professional engineer in accordance with 1980 PA 299, as amended. The seal and signature are not required for one- and two- family dwellings less than 3500 square feet of calculated floor area and public works less than $15,000 in total construction cost.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Partial — Building-permit process for construction inside Chestonia Township.
      “Before construction of a building or structure, an owner, or the owner's builder, architect, engineer, or agent, shall submit an application in writing to the appropriate enforcing agency for a building permit.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builders constructing residential structures inside Chestonia Township.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Buildings inside Chestonia Township.
  • Local zoning — Land inside Chestonia Township.
  • Zoning districts — Land inside Chestonia Township.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings inside Chestonia Township.
17 more unanswered
  • Minimum lot size
  • Setbacks
  • Lot coverage
  • Building height
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land
  • Driveway access
  • Building in a floodplain
  • Short-term rentals
  • Permit fees

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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Chestonia Township publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Antrim County’s page lists the county offices to call.

← All of Antrim County: county rules, score and offices