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

Davison Township’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  New buildings, renovations, additions and similar structural work inside Davison township limits, issued by the Davison Township building department.

  • Permit is required before construction begins; the page lists work that needs a permit, including building a garage, deck or utility shed over 200 square feet.
  • Sheds under 200 square feet do not need a building permit, but a separate township zoning permit for sheds up to 200 sq. ft. is required under a June 2022 township notice ($30.00 fee).
  • State plumbing, electrical and mechanical permits must be filed with the state of Michigan.

  “you must obtain a building permit before you do any of the following: construct a new building”

• InspectionsRequired

  Permitted construction inside Davison township, inspected by township building inspectors (electrical, plumbing and mechanical inspectors are listed).

  • Inspector requires at least 24 hours notice to book an inspection.
  • Inspections are needed before final inspections, approvals and occupancy permits are issued.

  “a building inspector reviews projects during key stages of construction to ensure work complies with the building code and the plans originally submitted for review.”

• Certificate of occupancyRequired

  Buildings in Davison township that receive township building inspections; occupancy permits are issued by township building inspectors.

  • State-filed plumbing, electrical and mechanical permits must be filed prior to final inspections and occupancy permits.
  • The page does not describe a separate certificate of occupancy form or fee.

  “these permits must be filed with the state of michigan prior to final inspections, approvals and occupancy permits being issued by township building inspectors.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Davison township limits (Genesee County, Michigan), administered by the Davison Township Planning Department and zoning code; not the City of Davison and not the county's unincorporated area.

  • The township planning page states its zoning code regulates development standards and land use, and that site plans must be submitted for any development within Davison Township.
  • Specific district standards (lot area, setbacks, height, coverage) were not verified from an official township source in this run; see the dimensional claims.
  • The Zoning Ordinance No. 16 text located during search was hosted on a third-party site (energyzoning.org) and was not cited as official evidence.

  “specific development standards are contained in the zoning code. The zoning code regulates development standards and establishes specific types of land use allowed at any particular location.”

Rules another office applies inside Davison Township

Davison 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 code adoptedAdopted

  New construction and renovation inside Davison township limits; the Michigan state building code applies through the township building department.

  • The township building page says building permit plans must comply with the state code, local zoning laws and other applicable laws.
  • The township planning page says zoning does not specify minimum construction standards, which are set in separate building codes.

  “plans must comply with the state of michigan building code, local zoning laws and other applicable laws and regulations.”

• Driveway accessRequired

  Driveways connecting to roads inside Davison township; the permit is issued by the Genesee County Road Commission, not the township.

  • Permit is required from the Genesee County Road Commission for driveways, curbs and ditching work, per the township planning page.
  • Driveway permit details (width, spacing, fees) were not opened in this run.

  “you will also need permits from the following entities: genesee county road commission (for roads, curbs, driveways, ditching, etc)”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder construction in Davison township
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling floor area for the main single-family residential district in Davison township
• Minimum lot size — Minimum lot area for the main single-family and agricultural/rural-residential districts in Davison township
• Setbacks — Front, side and rear setbacks by district in Davison township
• Lot coverage — Maximum lot coverage by district in Davison 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.