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

Lee Township’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  New construction and alterations inside Lee township limits; the township building permit application is submitted to the township.

  • Building permit application cannot be submitted until zoning is approved.
  • The township forms page lists separate township applications for electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits, plus a building permit fee schedule.
  • Permit coordinator contact on the forms page: Carl Fowler, 269-209-0404, [email protected]. Building permit pricing and questions: Frank Ballard, 269-209-2094.

  “before submitting building permit application, zoning must be approved”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Lee township (Calhoun County) limits: the township administers its own zoning ordinance and zoning board of appeals.

  • The township forms page lists a 'lee township zoning ordinance' document and a zoning map. The ordinance text itself was not opened.
  • The township homepage notice says the planning commission will hold a public hearing on 2026-11-11 on a text amendment to Article XVIII to add Section 1823 (battery energy storage systems). Written comments were due 2026-11-10.
  • Zoning approval is a precondition for building permits (see building_permit_requirement).

  “lee township zoning ordinance zoning ordinance marijuana amendment planning commission and zoning board of appeals”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Building permits issued by Lee township inside its limits.

  • The forms page links a 'lee township application for building permit fee schedule'. The amounts were not read.

  “lee township application for building permit fee schedule”

• Permit processPartial

  Building permit process inside Lee township limits.

  • Zoning approval comes before the building permit application.
  • Application forms for building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits, a zoning application and a zoning application fee and escrow policy are linked on the township forms page.
  • The forms page says the hall does not schedule inspections (permit coordinator text), so inspection scheduling is not covered by the township hall.

  “before submitting building permit application, zoning must be approved”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder permit exemption inside Lee township
• Building code adopted — Building code applicable inside Lee township
• Inspections — Building inspections inside Lee township
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy inside Lee township
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in the main single-family residential district of Lee 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.