Coloma Township’s own rules
Building permitRequired
New construction, remodeling and additions inside Coloma charter township limits
- Building permits must be obtained before starting any construction and remodeling.
- Non-structural changes such as painting or flooring typically do not require a building permit.
- A zoning permit must be issued before the building permit for new builds, additions, decks, accessory structures, fences, signs or pools.
“building permits must be obtained before starting any construction and remodeling.”
InspectionsRequired
Permitted building work inside Coloma charter township
- Inspections are scheduled by calling the township building inspector; the fee schedule includes required inspections for permit tiers above $1,000 valuation.
- Electrical, mechanical and plumbing inspectors are listed separately.
“plus application fee, required inspections included”
Local zoningPresent (with conditions)
Land inside Coloma charter township limits. The township administers its own zoning ordinance (Chapter 40, Zoning) through its Zoning Administrator.
- Zoning permit required before a building permit for new builds, additions, decks, accessory structures, fences, signs or pools.
- Chapter 40 amendments adopted at the September 11, 2024 board meeting, covering Sections 40-42 (table of zoning district regulations), accessory uses and buildings, special land use, fences and temporary storage containers.
- The township publishes the amendment notice but the full Chapter 40 text was not opened during this research; see search_notes.
“coloma charter township is a zoned community. a zoning permit is required for new builds, additions, decks, accessory structures, fences, signs or pools before a building permit can be issues.”
Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)
New homes inside Coloma charter township located within 200 feet of public sanitary sewer
- Public sewer is available in areas of the township around the lakes; sewer hook-up is mandatory only if within 200 feet of the public sewer.
- The page refers to expansion areas being constructed in 2000 along Becht and Defield roads and Ryno road near I-94 and says to check with the township hall on where and when areas become available.
- Page is undated and may be outdated; confirm current availability with the township hall before relying on it.
- No water-main connection requirement was found.
distance from public sewer for mandatory hook-up: <= 200 feet (subject to public sewer availability in the area)
“sewer hook-up is mandatory if within 200 feet of the public sewer.”
Permit feesPublished (with conditions)
Building permits issued by Coloma charter township inside its limits
- Fees are based on ICC building valuation data or the stated value on the application, whichever is higher.
- Plan review fees are in addition: 20% of the building permit fee for residential structures; 40% for commercial and multi-family, paid at application.
- Additional inspections $100 each; demolition fees by contacting the township.
- Fee schedule posted on the township Building Department page; a separate $75 plumbing application fee was seen in a search snippet only and is not verified here.
minimum building permit fee: >= 100 USD (valuation $1.00 to $2,000.00) · plan review fee residential: 20 percent (of building permit fee)
“building permit fees based on the current international code council building valuation data or value stated on application, whichever is higher in value.”
Permit processPublished (with conditions)
Permit process for projects inside Coloma charter township limits
- Zoning compliance permit first for new builds, additions, decks, accessory structures, fences, signs or pools, then building permit.
- Building Department office hours Tuesday and Thursday mornings (building inspector); Zoning Administrator office hours Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
- Township hall at 4919 Paw Paw Lake Road, Coloma, MI 49038, (269) 468-7212.
“coloma charter township is a zoned community. a zoning permit is required for new builds, additions, decks, accessory structures, fences, signs or pools before a building permit can be issues.”
Rules another office applies inside Coloma Township
Coloma 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 septicCounty (with conditions)
On-site sewage (septic) systems on land inside Coloma charter township; the Berrien County Health Department administers well and septic service countywide, which includes this township (county rule applied inside Coloma charter township, not a township ordinance).
- The township's own pages do not state a septic rule; the county health department handles well and septic service countywide.
- Township sewer hook-up rule (within 200 feet of public sewer) takes precedence where public sewer is available.
“apply for a sewage permit with the health department.”
Still unanswered
We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Coloma Township or Berrien County directly.
- Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder permitting inside Coloma charter township
- Building code adopted — Construction codes applied inside Coloma charter township
- Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy approval for new homes inside Coloma charter township
- Zoning districts — Zoning districts inside Coloma charter township
- Minimum dwelling size — Single-family residential dwellings inside Coloma charter township (main residential district); agricultural or rural-residential district not verified
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
- Septic inspection
- Off-grid sanitation
- Well permit
- Agricultural exemption
- Subdividing land
- Driveway access
- Building in a floodplain
- Short-term rentals
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.
