Bolthole Index

Eaton County, Michigan

Building permits, zoning and septic in the Village of Bellevue, Michigan

The Village of Bellevue, Michigan generally requires village zoning approval before construction and a building permit from Eaton County Construction Codes where the construction code requires one.1 Bellevue, in Eaton County, administers its own zoning.2 New public water and sewer connections are mandatory when capacity is available; eligible private sewage systems require Barry-Eaton District Health Department approval.34

At a glance

Building permits
Eaton County Construction Codes; required where the construction code applies1
Zoning approval
Village zoning permit generally comes before construction21
Water and sewer
New public connections mandatory when capacity is available3
Septic permits
Barry-Eaton District Health Department, where municipal wastewater is unavailable4
AG lot size
36,300 square feet minimum in the AG Agricultural District5
Owner-builder
Own-use licensing exemption does not remove building-permit or zoning requirements6

Who to call

Zoning

Village of Bellevue Zoning Administrator

Village zoning compliance permits and planning questions

(269) 763-9571

[email protected]

201 N. Main St. Bellevue, MI 49021

Building permits

Eaton County Department of Construction Codes

Construction-code building permits and inspections for Bellevue village

517-543-3004

[email protected]

1045 Independence Boulevard Room 150 Charlotte MI 48813

Septic permits

Barry-Eaton District Health Department — Eaton County Office

Eligible on-site sewage systems: site evaluation, septic permits and final review

517-543-2430

[email protected]

1033 Health Care Dr. Charlotte, Michigan 48813

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 12, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Village of Bellevue means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in the Village of Bellevue, MI?

Bellevue generally requires a Village zoning permit before grading, excavation or construction, followed by a building permit where the construction code requires one.1 Eaton County Construction Codes enforces the construction codes inside Bellevue village; the Village Zoning Administrator handles zoning compliance.17 Treat those as separate approvals when planning a home or addition.1 Agricultural buildings on a farm in Bellevue’s AG District have a zoning-permit exemption, but that exemption does not necessarily remove building-permit or other construction-code requirements.8 Michigan’s owner-builder exemption concerns licensing for construction on the owner’s property for the owner’s own use and occupancy; building permits, inspections and zoning requirements still apply.6

Who handles Bellevue building permits and zoning approval?

For Bellevue zoning compliance permits and planning questions, contact the Village Zoning Administrator at (269) 763-9571 or [email protected].7 For Bellevue building-code inspections, call Eaton County Construction Codes at 517-543-3004 and provide your name, phone number, permit number or job-site address, and the inspection type.9 Complete zoning applications for a single-family or two-family dwelling, or an associated accessory structure or use, must be acted upon within 15 days.10 That period starts with a complete application, which must include required county, state and federal applications and permits.10 Village zoning fees are paid before processing and are set by the Village Council; ask the Zoning Administrator for the current amount.11

Does the Village of Bellevue have zoning, lot sizes and setbacks?

Bellevue has its own zoning ordinance and district-specific development standards.212 In Bellevue’s AG Agricultural District, the minimum lot area for single-family development is 36,300 square feet; minimum yards are 65 feet in front, 20 feet on each side and 35 feet at the rear.513 Maximum AG lot coverage is 35%, and dwellings and non-farm buildings have a maximum height of 3 stories and 35 feet.1415 Bellevue’s schedule summarizes basic standards, so the applicable district regulations and other ordinance provisions must also be consulted.12 Ask the Village Zoning Administrator to identify the parcel’s district before using the AG standards to design a site plan.712

How do septic permits and water connections work inside Bellevue?

Bellevue requires new public sewer and water connections when capacity is available, so a private well or septic proposal must first account for the Village’s utility-connection rules.3 Qualifying approved private sewage systems existing at the ordinance’s stated date or at annexation have conditional protection until prolonged nonoperation or substantial failure, subject to available public capacity.16 Where municipal wastewater is unavailable, Barry-Eaton District Health Department must evaluate the site and issue a septic permit before installation, then perform final review.417 BEDHD also evaluates and permits installation of private drinking-water wells and requires final review.18 Eaton County’s soil figures show only 0.2% rated not limited for conventional drain fields; that countywide figure supports obtaining a parcel-specific evaluation, not assuming septic is impossible in Bellevue.19

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in the Village of Bellevue?

We could not confirm Bellevue’s rules for occupying an RV on private land, temporary camping, tiny-home occupancy, accessory dwellings or minimum dwelling floor area; ask the Village Zoning Administrator about the proposed use and parcel before buying.7 Bellevue’s zoning approval and construction-code requirements still need to be addressed for a proposed dwelling.1 Bellevue prohibits occupying a structure or use, in whole or in part, before receiving an occupancy permit from the Building Inspector under the construction code.20 A small footprint therefore does not by itself answer whether a home can be occupied legally.201 Ask separately about public water and sewer availability, because new connections are mandatory when capacity is available.3

Building a home in Bellevue: what are the steps, in order?

  1. Ask the Village Zoning Administrator to confirm the zoning district, proposed use and applicable site standards.712
  2. Resolve Bellevue’s public water and sewer connection requirements; if private systems are eligible, obtain BEDHD’s site evaluation and required septic or well approval.3418
  3. Submit the complete Village zoning application and advance zoning fees, including required outside-agency applications and permits.1011
  4. Obtain the required construction-code building permit through Eaton County Construction Codes before starting work, and arrange required inspections as construction proceeds.121
  5. Obtain the occupancy permit before moving in; buildings served by a well or septic system also need documented final health-department approval.20

For land outside village limits, use the Eaton County guide and confirm the applicable local zoning authority rather than extending Bellevue’s ordinance to another jurisdiction.22

Watch-outs

  • Bellevue’s agricultural zoning-permit exemption applies to agricultural buildings on a farm in the AG District; confirm construction-code requirements separately with Eaton County Construction Codes.8
  • Eaton County announced changes to select construction-code permit fees effective October 1, 2026; request the current schedule before budgeting a Bellevue project.9
  • We could not confirm Bellevue’s driveway-approval or local flood-hazard requirements; ask the Village Zoning Administrator about the parcel before committing to a site layout.7

Sources

  1. ecode360.com (Village of Bellevue), quoted and re-checked
  2. Chapter 155: Zoning (Village of Bellevue), quoted and re-checked
  3. Chapter 117: Sewers (Village of Bellevue), quoted and re-checked
  4. On-Site Sewage Systems, quoted and re-checked
  5. Article XV: Schedule of Regulations (Village of Bellevue), quoted and re-checked
  6. Frequently Asked Questions – Residential Builder (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  7. Village of Bellevue Zoning Administrator (bellevuemi.net)
  8. ecode360.com (Village of Bellevue), quoted and re-checked
  9. Eaton County Department of Construction Codes (eatoncounty.org)
  10. ecode360.com (Village of Bellevue), quoted and re-checked
  11. Article XXIV: Administration (Village of Bellevue), quoted and re-checked
  12. Article XV: Schedule of Regulations (Village of Bellevue), quoted and re-checked
  13. Article XV: Schedule of Regulations (Village of Bellevue), quoted and re-checked
  14. Article XV: Schedule of Regulations (Village of Bellevue), quoted and re-checked
  15. Article XV: Schedule of Regulations (Village of Bellevue), quoted and re-checked
  16. ecode360.com (Village of Bellevue), quoted and re-checked
  17. On-Site Sewage Systems, quoted and re-checked
  18. On-Site Drinking Water Wells, quoted and re-checked
  19. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  20. ecode360.com (Village of Bellevue), quoted and re-checked
  21. ecode360.com (Village of Bellevue), quoted and re-checked
  22. Jurisdiction, quoted and re-checked

Written October 12, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Village of Bellevue

Village of Bellevue’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Grading, excavation, construction, alterations, and repairs inside Bellevue village where the Construction Code requires a building permit.

    • A Village zoning permit is generally required first.
    • The Village zoning ordinance contains exceptions for specified wall alterations, agricultural buildings in the AG District, grading or excavation no greater than 12 inches for specified purposes, and structures not exceeding 200 square feet.
    • Eaton County Construction Codes enforces the construction codes in Bellevue village.
    “No grading, excavation, or construction shall be initiated prior to the issuance of a zoning permit except according to the exceptions delineated in § 155-24.02C, and where required by the Construction Code, the Building Inspector certifies proposed structures and buildings comply with the Construction Code through the issuance of a building permit.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Bellevue village limits; Bellevue adopts and administers Chapter 155, Zoning.

    • Zoning permits are administered by the Village under Article XXIV.
    “It is the purpose of this article to provide for the administration and enforcement of this chapter, including the creation of a review and permit process.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Bellevue village zoning districts and dimensional schedule.

    • The table states that it summarizes basic standards and that specific district regulations and chapter text must also be consulted.
    • The listed districts include AG, RA, RB, RC, RD, BOS, CBD, B-2, I-1, I-2, and PUD-related standards.
    “Zoning District | Minimum Lot Area(sq. ft.) | Minimum Lot Width & Frontage(feet) | Maximum Building Height | Minimum Yard Setback(feet) | Maximum Lot Coverage(%)”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Private sewage disposal systems inside Bellevue village.

    • An approved private system existing as of November 1, 2013, or connected at annexation, need not connect until it ceases to operate for more than one year or substantially fails, provided capacity is available.
    • Repair or maintenance is not otherwise prohibited.
    “Any property that, as of November 1, 2013, or any property that is annexed to the Village as of the date of annexation, was connected to a satisfactory private sewage disposal system (i.e., septic tank, cesspool, or other facility intended to be used for the private disposal of sanitary sewage) that has been approved by all applicable state and local governmental agencies, shall not be required to connect to the public wastewater system unless or until the private sewage disposal system ceases to operate for more than one year, or incurs a substantial failure as determined by an appropriate county health department or Village official, and further provided that capacity is available.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupWater and sewer (with conditions)

    New development inside Bellevue village when public water and sewer capacity is available.

    • New sewer and water connections are mandatory when capacity is available.
    • Existing approved private septic or well systems have exceptions for failure or prolonged nonoperation, subject to capacity and other stated conditions.
    “Except as otherwise provided in this section, new sewer connections are mandatory; provided that capacity is available in downstream sewers, lift stations, pumping stations, force mains and the sewage treatment plant, including pollutant-removal capacity for BOD and suspended solids.”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    Village zoning permits, variances, inspections, and other approvals inside Bellevue village.

    • Fees are deposited in advance.
    • The Village Council establishes and may revise fees.
    • Fees are limited to actual Village costs and may include meetings, inspections, notices, postage, photocopying, staff time, mileage, and professional assistance.
    • Professional review fees may be required; unused amounts are refundable, while excess actual costs must be paid before deliberations continue.
    “Fees for the administration and review of development proposals, rezoning requests, actions before the Zoning Board of Appeals, inspections and the issuance of permits required under this chapter shall be deposited with the Zoning Administrator in advance of processing any application. The amount of such fees shall be established by the Village Council and may be revised from time to time.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Village zoning-permit process inside Bellevue village.

    • Single- and two-family dwelling applications are acted on within 15 days after a complete application is submitted.
    • Applications requiring Planning Commission or Village Council action generally have 90-day periods, with a 30-day extension where a public hearing is required.
    • Variance applications generally have a 60-day period.
    • Complete applications must include required county, state, and federal applications and permits.

    single/two-family complete-application decision period: 15 days

    “A complete application for a zoning permit for a single-family or two-family dwelling or an accessory structure or use thereto shall be acted upon by the Zoning Administrator within 15 days of the submittal of a complete application.”

Rules another office applies inside Village of Bellevue

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

  • InspectionsRequired

    Construction inside Bellevue village subject to required building inspections.

    • The Village ordinance also requires inspections and necessary approvals before construction is initiated or continued.
    • Inspection requests are made to Eaton County Construction Codes.
    “No construction shall be initiated and/or continued except where the Building Inspector has completed required inspections and issued the necessary approval including the staking of proposed foundation walls prior to excavation.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Occupancy of any structure or use inside Bellevue village.

    • The permit is issued by the Building Inspector pursuant to the Construction Code.
    • Where a building has a well or septic system, Eaton County's checklist requires documented final health-department approval before an occupancy certificate.
    “No structure or use shall be occupied, in whole or in part, without first receiving a permit for occupancy from the Building Inspector pursuant to the Construction Code.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Single-family development in the AG Agricultural District inside Bellevue village.

    • The schedule notes that specific district regulations and other regulations may add standards.
    • AG minimum lot area is 36,300 square feet.

    minimum lot area: 36300 sq ft

    “AG Agricultural (o) | 36,300 (n) | 110 | 3 | 35 (b) | 65 | 20 | 35 | 35”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Development in the AG Agricultural District inside Bellevue village.

    • AG minimum front yard is 65 feet, each side yard 20 feet, and rear yard 35 feet.
    • The table notes that specific district regulations and other regulations may add standards.

    front setback: 65 ft · each side setback: 20 ft · rear setback: 35 ft

    “AG Agricultural (o) | 36,300 (n) | 110 | 3 | 35 (b) | 65 | 20 | 35 | 35”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Development in the AG Agricultural District inside Bellevue village.

    • Maximum lot coverage is 35 percent.
    • The table notes that specific district regulations and other regulations may add standards.

    maximum lot coverage: 35 percent

    “AG Agricultural (o) | 36,300 (n) | 110 | 3 | 35 (b) | 65 | 20 | 35 | 35”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Development in the AG Agricultural District inside Bellevue village.

    • Maximum height is 3 stories and 35 feet for dwellings and non-farm buildings and structures.

    maximum height: 35 ft (3-story maximum)

    “AG Agricultural (o) | 36,300 (n) | 110 | 3 | 35 (b)”
  • Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    Agricultural buildings on a farm in the AG District inside Bellevue village.

    • The zoning-permit exemption does not necessarily exempt a project from building permits or other construction-code requirements.
    “Agricultural buildings on a farm in the AG District and fences used in association with such agriculture.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Village of Bellevue or Eaton County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption from applicable construction permits inside Bellevue village.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in Bellevue village residential districts.
  • Living in an RV — RV occupancy on private land inside Bellevue village.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping inside Bellevue village.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Bellevue village.
6 more unanswered
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • 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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Village of Bellevue publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Eaton County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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