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

Franklin Township’s own rules

• Minimum lot sizeSpecified

  Parcels created by a land division inside Franklin Township; not a general residential zoning-district standard

  • A greater minimum width or lot area required by another applicable ordinance controls.

  minimum area: >= 1 acre (Each parcel created by a Division; another applicable ordinance may require greater area)

  “Each parcel created by a Division(s) shall not exceed a four (4) to one (1) ratio and minimum area of 1 acre. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any other applicable ordinance requires a greater minimum width or area, the greater minimum width or lot area shall control.”

• SetbacksSpecified

  Open parking or storage of a trailer coach inside Franklin Township; not a general residential-district setback standard

  • Trailer coach must not be used for temporary or permanent dwelling.
  • Parking or storage remains subject to rules, restrictions, or ordinances governing the parcel.

  side or rear property-line setback: >= 10 feet (Openly parked trailer coach) · public-highway setback: >= 100 feet (Openly parked trailer coach)

  “at least 100 feet away from any public highway”

• Living in an RVLimited

  Trailer coaches used for temporary or transient dwelling on land inside Franklin Township

  • Only one trailer coach may be on a tract, lot, site, or parcel at a time.
  • Occupants must use toilets, bathing, and laundry facilities of the principal dwelling unit.
  • More than 30 consecutive days in one calendar year requires Township approval for good cause on written application.

  maximum duration without Township approval: <= 30 consecutive days in one calendar year (Trailer coach used for temporary or transient dwelling)

  “no trailer coach used for temporary or transient dwelling may be located on any tract, lot, site, or parcel of land for a period longer than 30 consecutive days in one calendar year without approval from the Township upon a showing of good cause.”

• Manufactured homesLimited

  Mobile homes used as temporary dwellings inside Franklin Township

  • A temporary mobile home may be permitted for 90 days while the lot occupant is building a permanent dwelling on the same lot and provides proper health, sanitation, plumbing, and fresh-water facilities.
  • A good-cause written application and substantial construction progress may support an extension not exceeding one year.

  initial temporary dwelling period: 90 days (Permanent dwelling is being erected on the same lot and facilities are provided)

  “The Township Board may permit, upon written request, the use of a Trailer Coach or Mobile Home as a temporary dwelling for a period of 90 days when (1) the occupant of said lot where it will be placed is affirmatively engaged in the erection of a permanent dwelling on the same lot; and (2) necessary and proper health, sanitation, plumbing and fresh water facilities are provided.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Land divisions within Franklin Township, Clare County, Michigan

  • Recorded plats and certain listed exempt splits are exempt from the prior-review requirement.
  • A complete request must be approved or disapproved within 45 days; an aggrieved applicant may appeal within 30 days.
  • Approval does not establish compliance with other laws or establish eligibility for construction approvals.

  Township decision period: <= 45 days after receipt of complete request · appeal period: <= 30 days after decision (Applicant aggrieved by Assessor or Township official decision)

  “shall not be divided without the prior review and approval”

• Permit processPartial

  Township temporary-dwelling permits only

  • Except for Section 4.B temporary/transient trailer-coach use, a Township Board permit is required.
  • Issuance is based on ordinance standards and safeguards and conditions the Board may impose.

  “a permit from the Township Board is required”

Rules another office applies inside Franklin Township

Franklin 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 Franklin Township, which is in Clare County

  • CMDHD states that it serves Clare County.

  “Proudly serving Arenac, Clare, Gladwin, Isabella, Osceola, and Roscommon Counties”

• Septic permitRequired

  New-build on-site sewage systems inside Franklin Township, Clare County

  • Permit must be obtained from CMDHD before obtaining a building permit.
  • CMDHD says construction before permit issuance violates its sanitary code.
  • A reserve area for future drainfield replacement is required; no variations or deviations are allowed; applicable local codes must also be followed.

  “A septic permit is required from the health department prior to obtaining a building permit.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  New-build on-site sewage disposal inside Franklin Township, Clare County

  • A CMDHD septic permit is required before a building permit.
  • CMDHD requires a reserve drainfield area and says no variations or deviations are allowed.

  “A Reserve area for future replacement of the drainfield is required.”

Still unanswered

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

• Building permit — Residential construction inside Franklin Township
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built homes inside Franklin Township
• Building code adopted — Building work inside Franklin Township
• Inspections — Building work inside Franklin Township
• Certificate of occupancy — New or changed occupancy inside Franklin 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.