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

Norway Township’s own rules

• Certificate of occupancyLimited

  Occupancy documentation addressed by the Dickinson County construction permit procedure for property inside Norway Township.

  • Certificate is provided upon request, after all permits are finalized and paid in full.

  “Certificate of Occupancy will be provided upon request when all permits are finalized and paid in full.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Norway Township, Dickinson County, Michigan.

  • The ordinance states it becomes effective seven days following publication of its adoption notice.

  “An Ordinance to establish zoning districts and regulations governing the development and use of land within Norway Township”

• Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

  Residential structures inside Norway Township.

  • Measurements exclude basements, garages, porches and breezeways.

  single-family minimum principal floor area: >= 750 square feet (Exclusive of basements, garages, porches and breezeways.) · commercial-upper-floor residence minimum: >= 350 square feet (Exclusive of basements, garages, porches and breezeways.)

  “Residence within the upper floor of a commercial establishment | Minimum Square Feet for a Dwelling 350 square feet”

• SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Zoning districts inside Norway Township, including R-1 and RR.

  • Setbacks are measured from the road right-of-way, except for a parcel abutting a water body, where measurement is from the ordinary high-water mark.
  • Primary structures on lots abutting an inland lake or stream must maintain a 75-foot setback from the ordinary high-water mark.

  R-1 front setback: >= 25 feet · R-1 side setback: >= 5 feet · R-1 rear setback: >= 20 feet · RR front setback: >= 50 feet · RR side setback: >= 25 feet · RR rear setback: >= 50 feet

  “The setback shall be measured from the road right-of-way, except where a parcel abuts a water body.”

• Manufactured homesLimited

  Manufactured homes used as dwelling units inside Norway Township.

  • The listed manufactured-home floor-area minimum is exclusive of basements, garages, porches and breezeways.
  • Manufactured homes must be installed at minimum compliance with rules established by the Manufactured Home Commission.

  manufactured-home minimum principal floor area: >= 750 square feet (Exclusive of basements, garages, porches and breezeways.)

  “Residential Dwelling Manufactured home | Minimum Square Feet for a Dwelling 750 square feet”

• Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

  Dwelling units in the R-1, R-2, R-3, and RR districts inside Norway Township.

  • A dwelling may connect to public sewer and water instead of using an on-site system and water supply.
  • parameters are not a substitute for Dickinson-Iron District Health Department approval.

  “approved by the Dickinson-Iron District Health Department.”

• Septic permitRequired

  New residential construction using an on-site sewage system inside Norway Township.

  • Before construction-code permits issue, a site evaluation is required to determine land suitability for an on-site sewage permit.
  • A replacement failing or failed system requires a permit.
  • A failed tank replacement and new vault or earth-pit privy require permits.

  “Replacement system: a permit is required to replace a failing or failed system.”

• Mandatory utility hookupConditional

  Dwelling units in the R-1, R-2, R-3, and RR districts inside Norway Township.

  • A dwelling must connect either to public sewer and water or to an on-site septic system or water supply approved by the Dickinson-Iron District Health Department.

  “The dwelling shall be connected to a public sewer and water supply or to an on-site septic system or water supply”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Single-family detached condominium developments inside Norway Township.

  • Adequate storm drainage is required.
  • Sewage-disposal and water-supply systems are required as regulated by the Dickinson-Iron Health Department.

  “A sewage disposal system shall be required as regulated by the Dickinson-Iron Health Department.”

• Driveway accessRequired

  Construction needing a new driveway inside Norway Township.

  • Road Commission signature is required only when a driveway has not already been installed.

  “Road Commission signature is required when a driveway has not already been installed.”

• Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

  Zoning permits and activities administered under the Norway Township Zoning Ordinance.

  • No activity may commence and no permit may issue until the fee is paid.
  • Fees are waived for actions initiated by the Township Board or Planning Commission.
  • An escrow fee may be required for specified large or impactful projects.

  escrow threshold dwelling units: > 20 dwelling units (May trigger escrow requirement.) · escrow threshold enclosed space: > 20000 square feet (May trigger escrow requirement.)

  “No activity shall commence nor shall any permit be issued unless the fee has been paid.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Zoning compliance permits for buildings, premises, structures, and uses inside Norway Township.

  • The Zoning Administrator must inspect plans and find conformity before issuing a permit.

  “until a Zoning Compliance Permit has been issued by the Zoning Administrator.”

Still unanswered

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

• Building permit — General residential construction inside Norway Township.
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder construction inside Norway Township.
• Building code adopted — Building-code adoption applicable inside Norway Township.
• Inspections — Residential building inspections inside Norway Township.
• Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling units inside Norway 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.