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

Rules another office applies inside Custer Township

Custer 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 Custer Township, Antrim County, Michigan; Custer Township's official site identifies it as an Antrim County township, and HDNW states that it serves Antrim County residents.

  • The authority issues permits and evaluates sites before installation.
  • The district sanitary-code permit rule covers Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet, and Otsego Counties.

  “Prior to installing a sewage (septic) system, HDNW works with the property owner to evaluate the site and issue a permit.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Installation, construction, repair, alteration, or extension of on-site sewage treatment and disposal systems inside Custer Township, Antrim County, Michigan.

  • The permit must be issued by the Health Department of Northwest Michigan before the system is constructed, repaired, altered, or extended.
  • The cited form states that the requirement is under sections 4-2 and 6-2 of the 2017 District Sanitary Code serving Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet, and Otsego Counties.

  “It shall be unlawful for any person to construct, repair, alter, extend or operate any sewage treatment and disposal facility within Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet or Otsego Counties unless they have a construction permit issued by the Health Officer and for which a final approval has been granted pursuant to this Code.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  On-site sewage disposal for land without municipal wastewater services inside Custer Township, Antrim County, Michigan.

  • A site evaluation determines whether a parcel without municipal wastewater services can be considered for an on-site sewage system.
  • A permit is required before construction, repair, alteration, or extension of the system.

  “A site evaluation (previously called "perk test") is the first step in determining if an existing or proposed land parcel without municipal wastewater services (city sewer) can be considered for an onsite sewage system.”

• Well permitRequired

  Installation, construction, repair, alteration, or extension of water-supply systems and residential wells inside Custer Township, Antrim County, Michigan.

  • The permit must be issued by the Health Department of Northwest Michigan before the system is constructed, repaired, altered, or extended.
  • For residential wells, HDNW evaluates the site and conducts a final review after installation.
  • The cited application identifies the requirement as arising under sections 4-2 and 6-2 of the 2017 District Sanitary Code.

  “It shall be unlawful for any person to install a water supply within Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet or Otsego County unless a well construction permit has been issued by the Health Officer.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  HDNW sewage-system and well permit applications for property inside Custer Township, Antrim County, Michigan.

  • These are the amounts published in the form dated January 3, 2025; the source does not establish that the amounts remain the current fee schedule on the retrieval date.
  • The form identifies distinct residential and non-residential fees.

  residential septic new fee: 366 USD · residential septic replacement fee: 366 USD · residential well fee: 283 USD · residential septic tank only fee: 265 USD · non-residential septic new fee: 500 USD · non-residential septic replacement fee: 500 USD

  “Residential Septic (New) - $366 Septic (Replacement) - $366 [...] Well - $283 Septic Tank Only - $265 Non-Residential Septic (New) - $500 Septic (Replacement) - $500”

• Permit processPartial

  HDNW septic-system and well permitting for property inside Custer Township, Antrim County, Michigan.

  • The application requires a property site plan and directions; failure to provide them may delay the permit/report.
  • The application authorizes HDNW to evaluate suitability, conduct necessary tests, and inspect permitted facilities.
  • This is a partial process finding for septic and well permits, not a general building-permit process.

  “This department requires that the owner or his/her representative draw a site plan and directions to the property described above. Please use the back of this form and attach the appropriate documentation. Failure to draw a site plan, or provide adequate directions to the property may delay the process of this permit/report.”

Still unanswered

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

• Building permit — Residential building construction inside Custer Township, Antrim County, Michigan.
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder residential work inside Custer Township, Antrim County, Michigan.
• Building code adopted — Building-code adoption applicable inside Custer Township, Antrim County, Michigan.
• Inspections — Residential building inspections inside Custer Township, Antrim County, Michigan.
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy for buildings inside Custer Township, Antrim County, Michigan.

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.