Bolthole Index

Barry County, Michigan

Yankee Springs Township, Michigan building permits, zoning and septic

Yankee Springs Township, Michigan routes building permits through Professional Code Inspections after township zoning approval.1 Yankee Springs Township, in Barry County, regulates land use through township zoning districts; septic and well permits come from Barry-Eaton District Health Department.2345

At a glance

Building permits
PCI issues building permits after township zoning approval.1
Zoning
Township zoning districts regulate land use.2
Site-plan review
Residential plot-plan approval precedes a building permit.6
Septic permits
Barry-Eaton District Health Department evaluates the site, issues the permit and reviews installation.7
Well permits
Barry-Eaton District Health Department site evaluation, permit and final review required.5
Owner-builder
Michigan own-use licensing exemption does not waive building permits or zoning.8

Who to call

Zoning

Yankee Springs Township Zoning Administrator

Township site-plan review and zoning approval

269-795-9091

284 N. Briggs Road Middleville Michigan 49333-8629

Building permits

Professional Code Inspections (PCI), Hastings Office

Building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits after township zoning approval

269-948-4088

110 W Center Street, Suite A, Hastings, MI 49058

Septic permits

Barry-Eaton District Health Department

Well and septic permits

269-945-9516

330 W. Woodlawn Avenue, Hastings, MI 49058

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 11, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Yankee Springs 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 Yankee Springs Township, MI?

Michigan requires a building-permit application before constructing a building or structure, subject to exceptions in the construction code.9 In Yankee Springs Township, PCI issues building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits after the township zoning permit is issued.1 Residential site-plan review covers construction, additions, use changes and remodeling in AG, RR, SR, RMF, RSF and RLF districts; an exemption from that review does not necessarily exempt the work from a building permit.10 An owner building on the owner’s property for the owner’s own use and occupancy may qualify for Michigan’s residential-builder licensing exemption, but applicable building permits, inspections and zoning requirements remain.8

Who handles building permits and zoning in Yankee Springs Township?

Start with the Yankee Springs Township Zoning Administrator for the Site Plan Review application and township zoning permit.3 The township lists site-plan review for homes, sheds, storage buildings, fencing, structural remodeling, decks, additions and swimming pools.3 Contact the township zoning office using the verified contact below, then contact PCI’s Hastings Office for the building and trade permits after zoning approval.31 Septic and well approvals remain with Barry-Eaton District Health Department, rather than the township zoning office or PCI.45

Does Yankee Springs Township have zoning, and what about RVs or tiny homes?

Yankee Springs Township establishes zoning districts that can regulate or prohibit agriculture, recreation, residences and other land uses.2 We could not confirm private-land RV occupancy, tiny-home occupancy, accessory-dwelling permission or the applicable minimum home size, lot size and setbacks; ask the township Zoning Administrator to identify the parcel’s district and the standards for your proposed use.3 Yankee Springs Township’s short-term-rental rule requires lodging inside the dwelling unit, rather than an RV, camper or tent, and requires a separate permit for each rental unit.11 That rental restriction answers a rental proposal, not general private-land RV occupancy.11 Manufactured housing communities are an allowed conditional use in the MHC district under the Michigan Mobile Home Commission Act and administrative rules.12

How do septic and well permits work in Yankee Springs Township?

Before installing an on-site sewage system in Yankee Springs Township, Barry-Eaton District Health Department must evaluate the site and issue a septic permit.7 After installation, the owner or contractor notifies the department that the system is complete so the final inspection can occur.13 An on-site well likewise needs a department site evaluation, well permit and final review.5 Residential site-plan applications in AG, RR, SR, RMF, RSF and RLF districts must include approval for individual water and sewage facilities or available public sewer and water systems for each dwelling unit.14 Off-grid sanitation still requires sewage from household fixtures to go to municipal sewer or an on-site septic system under Michigan’s sanitary-sewage framework.15

What are the steps to build a home in Yankee Springs Township?

  1. Begin with the township Zoning Administrator’s Site Plan Review application and confirm the proposed use against township zoning.32
  2. Obtain the water and sewage approvals required for the residential site-plan application; arrange BEDHD site evaluations and permits for proposed on-site systems.1475
  3. Include an approved driveway permit from the Barry County Road Commission or MDOT when required.16
  4. Submit 4 plot-plan copies, or 11 if planning-commission review is required or requested; plot-plan approval must precede the building permit.6
  5. After township zoning approval, obtain the applicable PCI building and trade permits and arrange required construction inspections.117
  6. Obtain the certificate of occupancy before using or occupying a new or altered building subject to Michigan’s construction code.18

What should you check before buying land in Yankee Springs Township?

For a Yankee Springs Township parcel, ask the township Zoning Administrator about the intended home, accessory buildings and site-plan review before committing to a layout.3 Coordinate the layout with BEDHD because both new septic systems and wells require site evaluation before their permits.75 Ask the Barry County Road Commission or MDOT whether the proposed access needs a driveway permit; the township’s residential application requires the approved permit when applicable.16 For land outside Yankee Springs Township, consult the Barry County guide separately: Yankee Springs Township’s zoning provisions apply within the township.2 We could not confirm township permit fees or all district dimensional requirements; request the current fee schedule and parcel-specific standards from the township zoning office.3

Watch-outs

  • An exemption from Yankee Springs Township residential site-plan review does not necessarily eliminate a building permit.10
  • We could not confirm private-land RV or tiny-home occupancy in Yankee Springs Township; ask the township Zoning Administrator before relying on either as housing while building.3
  • Yankee Springs Township prohibits overnight camping on township park property; that restriction concerns parks rather than private parcels.19

Sources

  1. Professional Code Inspections (PCI), Hastings Office (yankeespringstwp.org)
  2. Yankee Springs Township Zoning Ordinance, Sec. 1.2—Purpose (Yankee Springs Township), quoted and re-checked
  3. Yankee Springs Township Zoning Administrator (yankeespringstwp.org)
  4. Barry-Eaton District Health Department—On-Site Sewage Systems (Yankee Springs Township), quoted and re-checked
  5. Barry-Eaton District Health Department—On-Site Drinking Water Wells (Yankee Springs Township), quoted and re-checked
  6. Yankee Springs Township Zoning Ordinance, Sec. 5.6—Residential Site Plan Review (Yankee Springs Township), quoted and re-checked
  7. Barry-Eaton District Health Department—On-Site Sewage Systems (Yankee Springs Township), quoted and re-checked
  8. Frequently Asked Questions – Residential Builder (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. Stille-DeRossett-Hale Single State Construction Code Act, MCL 125.1510 (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. Yankee Springs Township Zoning Ordinance, Sec. 5.6—Residential Site Plan Review (Yankee Springs Township), quoted and re-checked
  11. Yankee Springs Township Zoning Ordinance, Sec. 10.5—Short term rental standards (Yankee Springs Township), quoted and re-checked
  12. Yankee Springs Township Zoning Ordinance, Sec. 3.15—Manufactured Housing Community Zoning District (Yankee Springs Township), quoted and re-checked
  13. Barry-Eaton District Health Department—On-Site Sewage Systems (Yankee Springs Township), quoted and re-checked
  14. Yankee Springs Township Zoning Ordinance, Sec. 5.6—Residential Site Plan Review (Yankee Springs Township), quoted and re-checked
  15. Disposal of residential wastewater such as swimming pool water (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  16. Yankee Springs Township Zoning Ordinance, Sec. 5.6—Residential Site Plan Review (Yankee Springs Township), quoted and re-checked
  17. courts.michigan.gov (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. Certificate of Occupancy Request (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. Yankee Springs Township Parks and Recreation Rules, Sec. 120.005—Safety and protection (Yankee Springs Township), quoted and re-checked

Written October 11, 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 Yankee Springs Township

Yankee Springs Township’s own rules

  • Building permitLimited

    Residential construction, additions, use changes, and remodeling in AG, RR, SR, RMF, RSF, and RLF zoning districts within Yankee Springs Township.

    • This is a residential-site-plan rule; the cited provision says a building permit may still be required.
    • Interior remodeling and listed ordinary exterior work are exempt from residential site-plan review.
    “This section shall apply to any construction project, addition, use, or change of use or the remodeling of any residential building or structure in the following zoning districts: AG, RR, SR, RMF, RSF, RLF. 1. Exemptions: The following shall be exempt from residential site plan review. However, a building permit may still be required.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land within Yankee Springs Township.

    • Land use is regulated by township zoning districts.
    “To establish zoning districts within the township of Yankee Springs. Within these districts the use of land for agriculture, recreation, residences, industry, trade, conservation, soil conservation, water supply, et cetera, may be encouraged, regulated or prohibited.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Land within Yankee Springs Township.

    • The ordinance establishes township zoning districts and permits regulation or prohibition of listed land uses within them.
    “To establish zoning districts within the township of Yankee Springs. Within these districts the use of land for agriculture, recreation, residences, industry, trade, conservation, soil conservation, water supply, et cetera, may be encouraged, regulated or prohibited. 2. To divide portions of Yankee Springs Township into districts of such number, shape and area as may be deemed best suited to carry out the provisions of the act.”
  • Camping on your landProhibited

    Township park property within Yankee Springs Township.

    • This claim concerns township parks, not private land or licensed campgrounds.
    “No person shall set up tents, shacks or any other temporary shelter for the purpose of overnight camping. No person shall leave any movable structure or the like in the park after closing hours, or special vehicle, to be used or that could be used for such purposes as house trailer, camp trailer, camp wagon, or the like.”
  • Manufactured homesAllowed (with conditions)

    Property in the MHC Manufactured Housing Community Zoning District within Yankee Springs Township.

    • Use must comply with the Michigan Mobile Home Commission Act and its administrative rules.
    “Any property in the MHC manufactured housing community zoning district may be used as a manufactured housing community in accordance with the provisions of the Michigan Mobile Home Commission Act (Act 96 of the Public Acts of Michigan 1987, as amended) and the Administrative Rules promulgated pursuant to the Act.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Residential site-plan applications in AG, RR, SR, RMF, RSF, and RLF districts within Yankee Springs Township.

    • The application must include approval for connection to separate individual facilities or available public sewer and/or water systems for each dwelling unit.
    “Approval for connection to separate, individual water and sewage facilities or available public sewer and/or water systems for each dwelling unit.”
  • Driveway accessLimited

    Residential site-plan applications in AG, RR, SR, RMF, RSF, and RLF districts within Yankee Springs Township.

    • An approved driveway permit is required only when required by the Barry County Road Commission or Michigan Department of Transportation.
    “A copy of the approved driveway permit from either the Barry County Road Commission or the Michigan Department of Transportation, when required.”
  • Short-term rentalsAllowed (with conditions)

    Traditional short-term rentals in all Yankee Springs Township zoning districts.

    • A separate permit is required for each short-term rental unit.
    • Only one dwelling unit per deeded parcel may be rented at a given time.
    • Lodging must be within the dwelling unit, not an RV, camper, or tent.
    • The owner is the required local contact for a traditional short-term rental.

    dwelling units rented per deeded parcel: <= 1 unit (at any given time)

    “Only one (1) dwelling unit per deeded parcel shall be leased, subleased, rented or subrented at any given time. All lodging is to be exclusively within the dwelling unit and not in a recreational vehicle, camper, or tent. 2. A separate permit is required for each short term rental unit.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Residential site-plan review for construction, additions, use changes, and remodeling in AG, RR, SR, RMF, RSF, and RLF districts within Yankee Springs Township.

    • The applicant must submit the application information stated in Sec. 5.6.
    • Four plot-plan copies are required; if planning-commission review is required or requested, eleven copies are required.
    • A building permit will not be issued until the plot plan is approved by the planning commission or zoning administrator.

    plot plan copies: 4 copies (eleven copies if planning commission review is required or requested)

    “Four (4) copies of a plot plan are required to be submitted for review. If planning commission review is required or requested for a particular application, eleven (11) copies of a plot plan shall be submitted. A building permit will not be issued until the plot plan is approved either by the planning commission or zoning administrator.”

Rules another office applies inside Yankee Springs Township

Yankee Springs 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 Yankee Springs Township, which is in Barry County, one of the Barry-Eaton District Health Department service counties.

    • BEDHD evaluates the site, issues the permit, and performs final review for an installed sewage system.
    “Before a resident installs a sewage system, BEDHD must evaluate the site and issue a permit, as well as do a final review once the system is installed.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Installation of an on-site sewage system inside Yankee Springs Township.

    • BEDHD must first evaluate the site.
    • The health department must issue the permit.
    • BEDHD performs final review after installation.
    “Before a resident installs a sewage system, BEDHD must evaluate the site and issue a permit, as well as do a final review once the system is installed.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Newly installed on-site sewage systems inside Yankee Springs Township.

    • Final review occurs once the system is installed.
    “Final inspections are performed on newly installed systems after BEDHD is notified by the owner or contractor that the sewage system has been completed.”
  • Well permitRequired

    Installation of an on-site well inside Yankee Springs Township, in Barry County.

    • BEDHD must evaluate the site, issue the permit, and conduct final review after installation.
    “Before a resident or business installs a well, BEDHD must evaluate the site and issue a permit, as well as do a final review once the well is installed.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builders within Yankee Springs Township.
  • Building code adopted — Building-code adoption for land within Yankee Springs Township.
  • Inspections — Building inspections within Yankee Springs Township.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy within Yankee Springs Township.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Single-family dwellings within Yankee Springs Township residential and agricultural districts.
8 more unanswered
  • Minimum lot size
  • Lot coverage
  • Building height
  • Tiny homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land
  • 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 Yankee Springs Township publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Barry County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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