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

Rules another office applies inside Sherman Township

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

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Sherman township, Isabella County, MI: the county zoning ordinance applies (the township is under Isabella County's zoning jurisdiction); this is the county's ordinance, not a township ordinance

  • Zoning permits are issued by the Isabella County Community Development office, 200 N. Main St., Room 105, Mt. Pleasant.
  • Zoning permits are not required for residential accessory buildings 200 sq ft or less, though district setbacks still apply.

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

• SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Setbacks under Isabella County zoning ordinance, applying inside Sherman township; numbers by district not read

  • Contact zoning administrator for district requirements.

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

• Manufactured homesLimited

  Manufactured homes in zoning districts of Isabella County zoning ordinance, applying inside Sherman township

  • Minimum dwelling width requirements apply in each zoning district.
  • Title must be submitted to show the home's age.

  pre-1976 manufactured homes: not permitted

  “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

  Zoning and land use fees from Isabella County, applying inside Sherman township

  • Page references a zoning and land use fee schedule effective January 21, 2026; building permit fees not found.

  zoning permit application: 75 USD · special land use permit: 350 USD · variance: 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 zoning amendment (text, map, conditional) $650.00 variance, essential public service review and interpretation $350.00”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Zoning permit process for land in Sherman township via Isabella County Community Development

  • Zoning permits needed for new construction, change of use, and erecting or enlarging structures.
  • Well and septic approval and soil erosion evaluation when applicable.

  “zoning permits are needed for: new construction changing the use of a building, structure and/or land erecting, raising, moving, reconstructing, extending or enlarging any building, structure or part thereof”

Still unanswered

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

• Building permit — Building permits in Sherman township
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder in Sherman township
• Building code adopted — Building code in Sherman township
• Inspections — Building inspections in Sherman township
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy in Sherman 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.