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

Standish Township’s own rules

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Standish township limits (Arenac County, MI): the township publishes its own zoning ordinance, the Standish Township Zoning Ordinance May 2022, amended by Ordinance 25-01 (10-14-2025).

  • The township's May 2022 ordinance PDF was listed on the official township page but could not be opened from this engine; district rules and dimensional limits are therefore unverified.
  • Ordinance 25-01 as published concerns the change of building inspector; its text was not reviewed beyond its title.

  “standish township zoning ordinance may 2022 attached files 1 file standish-township-zoning-ordinance-may-2022.pdf”

Rules another office applies inside Standish Township

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

• Certificate of occupancyRequired

  New one- and two-family residences built under a county building permit inside Standish township.

  • Blower door test results must be submitted before the county issues a certificate of occupancy.
  • Other conditions for issuance not captured.

  “blower door test results must be submitted prior to certificate of occupancy issuance.”

• Permit processPublished

  Building permit process for new structures inside Standish township, administered by the Arenac County Building Department (county service area covering Standish township).

  • Steps run in order: local zoning, subdivision approval if applicable, health department permits, soil erosion permit if applicable, driveway permit, then building permit and electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits.
  • Office hours and contact details are listed on the county page; inspections are scheduled through the office.

  “steps to follow if you plan to build any type of structure (includes hud manufactured & state approved f.k.a. "boca" homes) 1) local zoning (see below) 2) sub division approval, if applicable (or property owner's associations)”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder construction inside Standish township
• Zoning districts — Zoning district map and district list for Standish township
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling floor area in the main single-family residential district of Standish township
• Minimum lot size — Minimum lot area in the main single-family residential district of Standish township
• Setbacks — Yard setbacks in the main single-family residential district of Standish 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.