Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Long Lake Township, Michigan

Long Lake Township’s own rules

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Long Lake township limits (Grand Traverse County): the township's own zoning ordinance and zoning department

  • The township's zoning office states it administers its zoning ordinance; the ordinance text itself was not retrieved from an official page, so district rules are not confirmed here.

  “the zoning department administers several township ordinances – primarily the zoning, short term rental, nuisance, and private road ordinances.”

• Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

  On-site septic systems inside Long Lake township: the county health department issues permits, and the township runs its own sale-inspection program

  • County permits are required for properties without access to municipal systems.
  • The township's septic inspection report is required before sale of a property with an on-site septic system.

  “the grand traverse county health department (gtchd) environmental health division is responsible for issuing permits and designing and ensuring the proper installation of on-site septic systems for residential and commercial properties.”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  Sale of property with an on-site septic system inside Long Lake township

  • The inspection must be performed by an inspector approved by Long Lake township on the township's standardized inspection form.
  • The seller arranges the inspection with an approved inspector.
  • The report must be given to the buyer and the township before closing.
  • The page says exceptions exist and that a 'when no inspection required' worksheet is available; the exception rules were not opened.

  “the report must be provided to the buyer of the property and the township prior to closing on a sale of the property.”

Rules another office applies inside Long Lake Township

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

• Septic permitRequired

  New or replacement on-site septic systems on properties inside Long Lake township that do not have access to municipal systems (Grand Traverse County Health Department service area)

  • Applications are submitted through the county's online permitting system EPIC GT.
  • The county page says it can take up to 30 days for permit issuance and site evaluations.
  • Installation is by a contractor the applicant chooses after the permit is issued.

  “sanitarians conduct field evaluations, review plans, and consult with homeowners and contractors to issue on-site septic permits for properties that do not have access to municipal systems.”

• Well permitRequired

  New private drinking water wells on properties inside Long Lake township (Grand Traverse County Health Department service area)

  • Applications are submitted through EPIC GT.
  • The permit is supplied to a registered well driller chosen by the applicant, who must follow state and county rules.
  • The page lists a 2026 well fee schedule.

  “to obtain a permit for the construction of a new well, applications may be submitted through our online permitting system, epic gt.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Septic permit fees for properties inside Long Lake township (county health department)

  • The county says the fee schedule must be reviewed before submitting an application, and that payment is due at submission.
  • The page lists a 2026 well fee schedule separately; the amounts were not opened.

  “please take a look at the 2026 fee schedule before submitting your permit application, as payment is due at the time of submission.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Septic permit applications inside Long Lake township, processed through the county's online system EPIC GT

  • The same online system (EPIC GT) is named for well permits.
  • Building permit process is listed as a county page, but its steps were not opened.

  “to obtain a permit for the installation of a new or replacement septic system, applications may be submitted through our online permitting system epic gt.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Long Lake Township or Grand Traverse County directly.

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption for homes inside Long Lake township
• Building code adopted — Building code adopted for construction inside Long Lake township
• Inspections — Building inspections for construction inside Long Lake township
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for new homes inside Long Lake township
• Zoning districts — Zoning districts inside Long Lake 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.