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

Rules another office applies inside Mason Township

Mason 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

  Building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits for construction in Mason township (Arenac County, MI), issued by the Arenac County Building Department, which the county lists as serving Mason township. This is the county's permit, not a township-adopted building department.

  • The county list says the office issues permits for building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing work for the listed townships and municipalities.
  • The county inspector document says to always check with inspectors to see whether permits are required for the work planned.
  • Late fees may be applicable, per the county inspector document.
  • The county list does not state the permit fee; see the permit_fees claim.

  “this office issues permits for the following townships / municipalities: clayton, mason, standish, turner, whitney, moffatt, city of augres, villages of: sterling, turner & twining for building, electrical, mechanical & plumbing”

• InspectionsRequired

  Inspections for permitted construction in Mason township (Arenac County, MI), scheduled through the Arenac County Building Department.

  • The county says inspections must be scheduled by calling the office or online, even if the applicant has already spoken with an inspector.
  • Inspection count, timing and which inspections apply are not stated on the page.

  “always call the office or schedule online to schedule an inspection; even if you have already spoken with an inspector.”

• Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

  Septic systems on land inside Mason township (Arenac County, MI). The county's business page directs septic and water well permits to the local health department located in Standish.

  • The county page names the local health department in Standish and phone 989-846-6541; it links to cmdhd.org, so the exact health district is not confirmed by the page.
  • Health department service-area language specific to Mason township was not located.

  “septic and water well permits or problems: contact your local health department, located in standish at 989-846-6541.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Septic systems for new structures on land inside Mason township (Arenac County, MI), through the local health department in Standish.

  • The county lists health department permits and/or existing system evaluations as a step before the building permit when building any structure.
  • Permit fees, system design requirements and sizing rules are not stated on the cited page.

  “health dept. permits &/or existing system evaluations (septic and/or well) 989-846-6541”

• Well permitRequired

  Private water wells for new structures on land inside Mason township (Arenac County, MI), through the local health department in Standish.

  • The county lists health department permits and/or existing system evaluations (septic and/or well) as a step before the building permit when building any structure.
  • Well construction standards and fees are not stated on the cited page.

  “health dept. permits &/or existing system evaluations (septic and/or well) 989-846-6541”

• Driveway accessRequired

  Driveway access for new structures in Mason township (Arenac County, MI), permitted by the Arenac County Road Commission per the county's step list.

  • The county list names the road commission permit as a step; the page does not say which roads require it or whether a township rule adds conditions.
  • Road commission standards are not stated on the cited page.

  “5) driveway permit, arenac county road commission 989-718-3250”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Sequence of approvals for new structures in Mason township (Arenac County, MI), per the Arenac County Building Department's published steps.

  • Step 1 is local zoning; the county document does not say which zoning authority applies inside Mason township.
  • Step 2 is subdivision approval, if applicable (or property owner's associations).
  • Step 3 is health department permits and/or existing system evaluations (septic and/or well).
  • Step 4 is soil erosion and sediment control, if applicable (project within 500 ft of a waterway of the state or disturbing more than an acre of soil).
  • Step 5 is a driveway permit from the Arenac County Road Commission.
  • Step 6 is the building permit, including consulting the Michigan Uniform Energy Code.
  • Step 7 is electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits.

  “steps to follow if you plan to build any type of structure (includes hud manufactured & state approved f.k.a. "boca" homes)”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Whether an owner-builder can build without a licensed contractor in Mason township (Arenac County, MI).
• Building code adopted — Building code adoption that applies to construction inside Mason township (Arenac County, MI).
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for a new home in Mason township (Arenac County, MI).
• Local zoning — Whether Mason township (Arenac County, MI) adopts and administers its own zoning ordinance.
• Zoning districts — Zoning districts for land inside Mason township (Arenac County, MI).

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.