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

Rules another office applies inside Broomfield Township

Broomfield 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 inside Broomfield township, permits issued by the Isabella County inspection department

  • Not required for one story detached accessory structures of 200 sq ft or less, fences up to 6 ft, and agricultural buildings not used in retail trade, among other listed exemptions
  • Zoning, sewage/well and soil erosion permits may also be required

  “a permit is required for any construction that physically changes or adds structure to your property.”

• Owner-builder exemptionConditional

  Homeowner building own single-family residence inside Broomfield township (permit from Isabella County)

  • Residence must be the homeowner's own single-family home that they will occupy
  • Homeowner takes on all liability and responsibility of the contractor
  • Homeowner still must obtain the building permit

  “the michigan licensing law gives a homeowner an exemption to act as his or her own general contractor.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted

  Building inspection jurisdiction of Isabella County, which lists Broomfield township, applying inside Broomfield township

  • Effective dates stated: 2021 IBC and IEBC April 9, 2025; 2021 IECC April 22, 2025

  residential code: 2015 Michigan Residential Code

  “the building inspector follows: the 2015 michigan residential code the 2021 international building code (ibc), effective april 9, 2025”

• InspectionsRequired

  Permitted construction inside Broomfield township inspected by the Isabella County building inspector

  • Stages: footing, foundation, framing, rough, final
  • Inspector aims to inspect within 48 hours of the call

  “section 113.2 of the state building code requires the permit holder to notify this office when any portion of the work is ready for inspection.”

• Certificate of occupancyRequired

  Buildings inside Broomfield township permitted through the Isabella County building official

  • Request submitted after all final inspections (plumbing, electrical, mechanical, building) are approved

  “a building or structure shall not be used or occupied until a certificate of occupancy has been issued by the building official.”

• Local zoningPresent

  Land inside Broomfield township: Isabella County, not the township, administers zoning here under the Isabella County zoning ordinance

  • County zoning permits are issued by the Isabella County Community Development office
  • The county ordinance is stated as amended (effective February 15, 1989)

  “isabella county currently has zoning jurisdiction in the following townships: townships broomfield isabella sherman coldwater lincoln vernon denver nottawa gilmore rolland”

• Zoning districtsPublished

  Zoning districts inside Broomfield township under Isabella County zoning

  • Districts viewed on the county zoning maps or interactive map; district list not read

  “please see the county's zoning maps or the county's interactive web viewer for zoning district information.”

• SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Buildings inside Broomfield township under the Isabella County zoning ordinance; numeric setbacks vary by district and were not obtained

  • Even exempt accessory buildings of 200 sq ft or less must keep district setbacks

  “setbacks vary depending on zoning district. contact the zoning administrator for individual property requirements.”

• Manufactured homesLimited

  Manufactured homes inside Broomfield township under the Isabella County zoning ordinance

  • Minimum dwelling width requirements apply in each zoning district
  • Homes built before 1976 are not permitted; a title must be submitted to prove age

  “the isabella county zoning ordinance does not prohibit single wide manufactured homes. however, the zoning ordinance does have minimum dwelling width requirements for each zoning district. manufactured homes built prior to 1976 are not permitted.”

• Septic permitRequired

  New dwellings and new commercial buildings in Isabella County, including Broomfield township

  • Permit issued by Central Michigan District Health Department
  • County page does not name Broomfield township

  “these permits are required for all new dwellings and new commercial buildings.”

• Septic inspectionLimited

  Existing sewage systems evaluated on additions or moves in Isabella County, including Broomfield township

  • Evaluation required for bedroom additions, any addition if zoned lake residential, and when moving a mobile or modular home

  “existing sewage system evaluations are required for all bedroom additions to homes, all additions of any kind if the property is zoned lake residential and anytime you move a mobile or modular home.”

• Well permitRequired

  New dwellings and new commercial buildings in Isabella County, including Broomfield township

  • Permit issued by Central Michigan District Health Department
  • County page does not name Broomfield township

  “these permits are required for all new dwellings and new commercial buildings.”

• Agricultural exemptionConditional

  Agricultural buildings in Broomfield township needing a building permit from Isabella County

  • Building must not be used in the business of retail trade
  • Exemption is from the building permit only; zoning rules may still apply

  “a building incidental to the use for agricultural purposes of the land on which the building is located if it is not used in the business of retail trade.”

• Permit feesPublished

  Zoning fees in Isabella County's zoning jurisdiction, which includes Broomfield township

  • Fee schedule is stated as effective January 21, 2026
  • A separate building permit fee schedule is also published; its amounts were not read

  zoning permit application: 75 USD · special land use permit: 350 USD

  “zoning permit application $75.00 home occupation $100.00 administrative site plan review $125.00 planning commission site plan review $225.00 special land use permit $350.00”

• Permit processPublished

  Building permits inside Broomfield township issued by Isabella County

  • Application accepted weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • Plans and other permits (sewage/well, zoning, soil erosion) may be required

  “typically it takes about 3 to 4 business days for a building permit to be issued.”

Still unanswered

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

• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Broomfield township
• Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size inside Broomfield township
• Lot coverage — Lot coverage inside Broomfield township
• Building height — Building height inside Broomfield township
• Living in an RV — RV occupancy inside Broomfield 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.