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

Mastodon Township’s own rules

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Mastodon township's limits is governed by the township's own zoning ordinance (titled Zoning Ordinance 2018 per search-result metadata; the PDF itself could not be opened).

  • The township zoning page says all owners must comply with the local zoning ordinance; the ordinance PDF (mastodontownship.com/PDF/Zoning-Ordinance.pdf) returned HTTP 404 when opened, so its text was not read.
  • The township planning commission page lists a 'zoning ordinance public hearing' and 'proposed changes to the mastodon township zoning ordinance (pdf)' on its 2025 schedule; the adopted outcome was not verified, so current text may differ.

  “you must be in compliance with our local zoning ordinance.”

• Zoning districtsPartial

  Zoning districts of Mastodon township (land inside the township's limits).

  • The township page names six districts but the zoning map and the district section text were not opened; district boundaries and district-by-district uses are not confirmed here.
  • The zoning map is linked from the township zoning page but was not opened.

  zoning districts named on township page: 6 districts · district names: agricultural, residential, resort residential, industrial, commercial, multiple use forest

  “there are 6 zoning districts: agricultural, residential, resort residential, industrial, commercial, and multiple use forest.”

• SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Setbacks on land inside Mastodon township, by zoning district.

  • The numeric setback distances are in the zoning ordinance, which could not be opened; no distances are recorded.

  “depending upon what you may want to do on your property, each district has its own setbacks, limits, and rules.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Land divisions in Mastodon township.

  • The township planning commission handles land division decisions; the land division standards were not read.
  • Land divisions are also subject to state law, which was not reviewed here.

  “the planning commission handles the ordinance and land division issues and decisions and meets the first wednesday of every month at 5 pm.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Zoning and building-related permit fees for construction in Mastodon township.

  • The schedule is posted as a PDF ('permits, fines, and fee schedule') and is also available at the township hall; the amounts were not read.
  • Fees for special meetings and attorney costs are charged to the property owner per the township page.

  “zoning ordinance, permits, fees, and fines schedule are available from the township hall (906-875-6232) or on this website.”

• Permit processPartial

  Permit sequence for construction in Mastodon township.

  • Step 1: Township zoning compliance application approved by the township.
  • Step 2: Iron County building permit obtained.
  • Call the township before starting any work.
  • Full application forms and the fee and fine schedule are in PDFs that could not be opened.

  “call the township for this before you start any work.”

Rules another office applies inside Mastodon Township

Mastodon 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 in Mastodon township requires an Iron County building permit, which is issued only after the township's zoning compliance application is approved.

  • Per the township page, the township zoning compliance approval must come before the county permit; construction may proceed after the permit is issued.
  • Property owners are responsible for permits and fees even if a contractor handles the work.

  “you need a mastodon township zoning compliance application to be approved before obtaining an iron county building permit.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder permit exemption in Mastodon township.
• Building code adopted — Building code adopted for construction in Mastodon township.
• Inspections — Building inspections for construction in Mastodon township.
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for new buildings in Mastodon township.
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in Mastodon township, by district.

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.