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

Summerfield Township’s own rules

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Summerfield Township, Clare County, Michigan.

  • A zoning permit must be obtained before a building permit.

  “The following Townships are zoned and require a zoning permit before a building permit can be obtained: [...] SUMMERFIELD”

Rules another office applies inside Summerfield Township

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

• Building permitRequired

  Construction of a building or structure inside Summerfield Township.

  • Application must be submitted in writing to the appropriate enforcing agency.
  • A permit is also required when use or occupancy changes.
  • Ordinary repairs do not require a permit, subject to the listed structural, egress, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, public-health, and safety limitations.

  “Before construction of a building or structure, an owner, or the owner's builder, architect, engineer, or agent, shall submit an application in writing to the appropriate enforcing agency for a building permit. A permit is also required when the use or occupancy of a structure or portion thereof is changed. A permit is not required for ordinary repairs.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Buildings and structures inside Summerfield Township, including one- and two-family dwellings governed by the Michigan Residential Code.

  • One- and two-family dwellings are included in the Michigan Residential Code.

  “The Michigan Building Code controls all matters concerning the construction, alteration, addition, repair, removal, demolition, use, location, occupancy, and maintenance of all buildings and structures and their service equipment. Presently, provisions for one- and two-family dwellings are included in the Michigan Residential Code.”

• Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

  On-site sewage systems inside Summerfield Township, which is in Clare County, one of the counties CMDHD serves.

  • CMDHD's sanitary-code process applies; applicable local codes, including subdivision requirements, must also be followed.

  “Proudly serving Arenac, Clare, Gladwin, Isabella, Osceola, and Roscommon Counties [...] The Sanitarian will issue your permit.”

• Septic permitRequired

  New-build sites inside Summerfield Township.

  • The permit must be obtained before a building permit.
  • Any construction before permit issuance violates the sanitary code.
  • A reserve area for future drainfield replacement is required.
  • No variations or deviations are allowed.
  • Applicable local codes, including subdivision requirements, must also be followed.

  “New build sites differ in the following ways from general application process: A septic permit is required from the health department prior to obtaining a building permit. Prior to the site visit, a vacant property must be marked/flagged so the Sanitarian can identify the location. Any construction prior to permit issuance is a violation of the sanitary code. A Reserve area for future replacement of the drainfield is required. No variations or deviations are allowed.”

• Septic inspectionLimited

  Properties inside Summerfield Township with an existing septic system when a building permit is needed, or when use changes from residential to non-residential.

  • The requirement is limited to the stated existing-system and use-change circumstances.

  “An evaluation of the septic system and well is required when building permits are needed on a property with an existing septic system or well, or the use of the property is changing from residential to non-residential use.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  On-site alternative sewage systems inside Summerfield Township.

  • Alternative systems may be granted under the CMDHD Alternative Policy.
  • The Alternative Request Form must be completed, signed, dated, and returned to the appropriate health-department office.
  • Maintenance is crucial.

  “Alternative systems to the Code may be granted to permit the best possible sewage system on lots with or without existing houses. [...] Our Alternative Policy requires that an "Alternative Request Form" be filled out, signed, dated and returned to the appropriate health department office. Maintenance for these systems is crucial.”

• Well permitRequired

  Private wells at new-build sites inside Summerfield Township.

  • The well permit is required before a building permit.
  • Construction before permit issuance violates the sanitary code.
  • Applicable local codes, including subdivision requirements, must also be followed.
  • Irrigation wells with capacity of 75 gallons per minute or greater must also be registered through EGLE's Water Withdrawal Assessment Tool.

  irrigation-well capacity triggering EGLE registration: >= 75 gallons/minute

  “New build sites differ in the following ways from general application process: A well permit is required from the health department prior to obtaining a building permit. Any construction prior to permit issuance is a violation of the Sanitary Code. [...] Irrigation wells: In addition to obtaining a CMDHD permit, large quantity water withdrawls (with capacity of 75 gallons/minute or greater) are required to be registered through the EGLE Water Withdrawal Assessment Tool.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builders constructing residential structures inside Summerfield Township.
• Inspections — Building work inside Summerfield Township.
• Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of buildings inside Summerfield Township.
• Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings inside Summerfield Township.
• Minimum lot size — Lots inside Summerfield 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.