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

Rules another office applies inside Gilmore Township

Gilmore 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 Gilmore township, Isabella County; the county inspections office reviews building plans for Gilmore township

  • Zoning permit, sewage/well permit and soil erosion permit may also be needed
  • Zoning permits not required for residential accessory buildings 200 sq ft or less (zoning only)

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

• InspectionsRequired

  Building work inside Gilmore township handled by the Isabella County inspections office

  • Final inspections for plumbing, electrical, mechanical and building precede the certificate of occupancy request

  “after all final inspections, including plumbing, electrical, mechanical and building have been completed and approved a request for certificate of occupancy must be submitted to the building official.”

• Certificate of occupancyRequired

  Buildings in Gilmore township under county building-official jurisdiction

  • Issued after all final inspections 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 (with conditions)

  Land inside Gilmore township, Isabella County: Isabella County's zoning ordinance (administered by the county, authority county:26073) applies; the township is listed as under county zoning jurisdiction rather than adopting its own.

  • Zoning permit issued by the Isabella County Community Development office
  • Gilmore township's own zoning ordinance was not located

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

• Zoning districtsPublished

  Isabella County zoning districts, including those covering Gilmore township

  • District information via county zoning maps or interactive web viewer

  “what is the zoning district for my property? please see the county's zoning maps or the county's interactive web viewer for zoning district information.”

• SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Setbacks under Isabella County zoning inside Gilmore township

  • Numeric setbacks not located; contact zoning administrator
  • Accessory structures of 200 sq ft or less need no zoning permit but must meet setbacks

  “setbacks are the distance a building or structure is required to be from the property lines. setbacks vary depending on zoning district.”

• Manufactured homesLimited

  Manufactured homes in zoning districts under Isabella County zoning, which covers Gilmore township

  • Minimum dwelling width requirements in each zoning district
  • Homes built before 1976 not permitted; 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.”

• Permit feesPublished

  County zoning application fees applicable inside Gilmore township

  • Page also references a zoning and land use fee schedule effective January 21, 2026
  • Building permit fees not located

  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

  Zoning permit process for Gilmore township, issued by Isabella County Community Development

  • Application needs plot plan, septic approval and soil erosion permit when applicable

  “if the property is located in a township under isabella county's zoning jurisdiction the isabella county community development office issues the zoning permit.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption inside Gilmore township
• Building code adopted — Building code adoption inside Gilmore township
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Gilmore township
• Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size inside Gilmore township
• Lot coverage — Lot coverage inside Gilmore 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.