Bolthole Index

Kalamazoo County, Michigan

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Pavilion Township, Michigan

Pavilion Township, Michigan requires a building permit for construction covered by the Michigan construction code; Associated Government Services (AGS) handles township building and zoning services.12 In Kalamazoo County, septic and new well approvals come from County Environmental Health, and those approvals must precede building approval where private systems are needed.34 Residential trailer use is time-limited, with an exception for active home construction.5

At a glance

Building permits
Required for construction subject to Michigan code; apply through AGS12
Zoning
Township zoning services through AGS2
Septic permits
Kalamazoo County approval before construction or replacement6
Trailer living
14 days per calendar year; up to 18 months during active dwelling construction5
Water wells
County permit required for new wells4
Owner-built homes
Own-use licensing exception does not waive building permits or inspections7

Who to call

Building permits

Associated Government Services (AGS) — Pavilion Township building and zoning services

Building and trade applications, plan reviews, zoning, demolition and onsite sewer inspections for Pavilion Township

269-629-0600

Online permits →

Septic permits

Kalamazoo County Environmental Health Division

Onsite sewage treatment (septic) permits, inspections and registered-installer oversight for Kalamazoo County

269-373-5210

311 E. Alcott St., Kalamazoo, MI 49001

Well permits

Kalamazoo County Environmental Health Division – Water Well & Sewage Treatment System Evaluations

Pre-purchase vacant-land evaluations for well and septic suitability

269-373-5210

311 E. Alcott St., Kalamazoo, MI 49001

Also useful

Kalamazoo County Drain Commissioner's Office

County drain crossing, connection and soil-erosion permits for construction projects

269-384-8117

201 W. Kalamazoo Ave., Kalamazoo, MI 49007

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 11, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Pavilion Township means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Pavilion Township, MI?

Pavilion Township home construction covered by Michigan's construction code requires a written building-permit application before construction begins.1 Michigan requires specifications, scaled plans and a site plan showing proposed and existing structures, together with the enforcing agency's fee.1 Pavilion Township directs building applications and plan reviews to AGS, and a property address is needed before obtaining a building permit.2 An owner building a home on the owner's property for the owner's own use and occupancy may qualify for Michigan's residential-builder licensing exception, but building permits, inspections and other applicable approvals still apply.7

Who handles Pavilion Township building permits and zoning?

Pavilion Township contracts with Associated Government Services for building, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, plan reviews, code enforcement, demolition permits, zoning and onsite sewer inspections.2 Reach AGS at 269-629-0600 and use the AGS forms and information website linked by the township.8 Ask AGS for the current building and trade fees, the inspection sequence and the zoning review needed for the proposed use.2 County Environmental Health remains the septic permitting authority, so the township listing of onsite sewer inspections does not replace the county septic approval required before building construction where public sewers are unavailable.3

Does Pavilion Township have zoning, and what about lot size and setbacks?

Pavilion Township administers zoning services through AGS; the absence of countywide zoning is not an exemption from township review.29 Ask AGS to identify the parcel district and provide its permitted uses, minimum lot area, setbacks, dwelling floor area, height and coverage limits before choosing a house plan.2 We could not confirm the numeric district standards for single-family lots and homes, so obtain those requirements directly from AGS.2 Pavilion Township requires a dwelling erected or moved onto a parcel to connect to public sewer and water or to private facilities approved by the local health department.10

How do septic and well permits work inside Pavilion Township?

Kalamazoo County Environmental Health requires a septic permit before constructing or replacing an onsite sewage treatment system in Pavilion Township, with application review and a site evaluation before approval.6 Where public sewer is unavailable, county septic approval must precede a building permit for a building with plumbing or the commencement of construction.3 A new well also requires a county water-supply construction permit before building approval or construction on land needing a well.4 Request the septic inspection after installation and before covering or operating the system.11 County vacant-land evaluations assess parcel size, topography, soils and high groundwater; arrange that evaluation before committing to an undeveloped parcel.12

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Pavilion Township?

Pavilion Township limits residential use of mobile homes, house trailers and trailer coaches outside camps with adequate water and sanitary facilities to 14 days in a calendar year.5 A resident actively constructing a dwelling on the same premises may use such accommodation for up to 18 months.5 The separate migratory-worker exception allows up to 90 days with a no-cost permit issued before use begins.5 Ask AGS how the ordinance classifies the specific RV or tiny-home design; we could not confirm a township rule specifically authorizing tiny-home occupancy or general temporary camping.2 Off-grid living still requires adequate approved sewage treatment.13

Building a home in Pavilion Township: what are the steps?

  1. Contact AGS for parcel zoning review, building forms and the property-address requirement before applying for a building permit.2
  2. Arrange County Environmental Health site evaluation and obtain the septic and well approvals needed before building approval or construction.1234
  3. Submit the building application, scaled plans, site plan and applicable fee to the enforcing agency.1
  4. Coordinate construction inspections with AGS; Michigan requires periodic inspections of work performed under a building permit.214
  5. Complete required approvals and obtain a certificate of occupancy before occupying a new or altered building subject to Michigan code.15

What stays with Kalamazoo County when buying in Pavilion Township?

County Environmental Health evaluates vacant land for private water and sewage suitability, including soil conditions and depth to high groundwater; the evaluation requires an excavation with Environmental Health present.12 A site subject to flooding or within the 100-year floodplain may be denied a septic permit.16 Projects crossing, modifying or discharging into a county drain need Drain Commissioner approval, and soil erosion approval may also be needed.17 Land divisions using private water or septic systems also receive County Environmental Health review.18 For a parcel outside Pavilion Township, consult the Kalamazoo County guide and the appropriate local government for building and zoning jurisdiction.19

Watch-outs

  • The 18-month trailer exception requires a resident to be actively constructing a dwelling on the premises; buying vacant land alone does not satisfy that condition.5
  • We could not confirm township building-fee amounts or numerical residential lot and setback standards; request those from AGS before finalizing the project budget and layout.2
  • AGS onsite sewer inspections do not substitute for County Environmental Health septic permitting.3

Sources

  1. Stille-DeRossett-Hale Single State Construction Code Act, MCL 125.1510 (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  2. Building Permits -Plumbing | Pavilion Township (Pavilion Township), quoted and re-checked
  3. Kalamazoo County Sanitary Code (Pavilion Township), quoted and re-checked
  4. Kalamazoo County Sanitary Code, Article III - Water Supply Regulations (Pavilion Township), quoted and re-checked
  5. Pavilion Township Code, Section 200.610 - Use of temporary mobile homes (Pavilion Township), quoted and re-checked
  6. Kalamazoo County Sanitary Code (Pavilion Township), quoted and re-checked
  7. Frequently Asked Questions – Residential Builder (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  8. Associated Government Services (AGS) — Pavilion Township building and zoning services (paviliontwpmi.gov)
  9. Zoning & Building Inspection Resources | Kalamazoo County, MI, quoted and re-checked
  10. Pavilion Township Code, Section 200.501 - Dwelling unit construction (Pavilion Township), quoted and re-checked
  11. kalcounty.gov (Pavilion Township), quoted and re-checked
  12. Kalamazoo County Environmental Health Division – Water Well & Sewage Treatment System Evaluations (kalcounty.gov)
  13. Pavilion Township Code, Section 200.501 - Dwelling unit construction (Pavilion Township), quoted and re-checked
  14. MCL 125.1512, Inspection of construction (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  15. Certificate of Occupancy Request (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  16. Kalamazoo County Sanitary Code, Section 6.08 (Pavilion Township), quoted and re-checked
  17. Kalamazoo County Drain Commissioner's Office (kalcounty.gov)
  18. Sewage Treatment | Kalamazoo County, MI, quoted and re-checked
  19. Zoning & Building Inspection Resources, quoted and re-checked

Written October 11, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Pavilion Township

Pavilion Township’s own rules

  • Building code adoptedPartial

    Building-related construction inside Pavilion Township, including plumbing and fire-code enforcement.

    • The cited ordinance expressly designates the Township Building Department and plumbing inspector for the Michigan Plumbing Code.
    • The cited fire ordinance adopts the 1991 Uniform Fire Code and standards; the general building-code adoption was not established by the opened sources.
    “The Township of Pavilion hereby designates the Township of Pavilion Building Department and its plumbing inspector as the enforcing agency to discharge the responsibilities of the Township of Pavilion under the Michigan Plumbing Code which presently consists of the international plumbing code, 2018 edition”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Mobile homes, house trailers and trailer coaches used as residences outside camps with adequate water and sanitary facilities inside Pavilion Township.

    • Maximum is 14 days in a calendar year.
    • If a resident is actively engaged in constructing a dwelling on the premises, maximum is 18 months.
    • A migratory worker may use it for up to 90 days only with a no-cost permit issued before use begins.

    ordinary residential use: 14 days per calendar year (unless construction or migratory-worker exception applies) · construction resident use: 18 months (resident actively engaged in construction of a dwelling on the premises) · migratory-worker use: 90 days (permit required before commencement)

    “Mobile homes, house trailers and trailer coaches which are not within camps therefor having adequate water and sanitary facilities, shall not be used for residence purposes for more than 14 days in any calendar year; unless one of the residents therein is actively engaged in the construction of a dwelling on the premises and in such case the same shall not be used for residence purposes for more than 18 months; or unless one of the residents therein is a migratory worker and in such case such use may be for not more than 90 days, provided there is issued to such migratory worker a permit, without cost, which states the time of commencement of such use, before commencement of such use.”
  • Who permits septicCounty

    Onsite sewage treatment systems inside Pavilion Township; Kalamazoo County Environmental Health is the permitting and sanitary-code authority, while the Township contracts with AGS for onsite sewer inspections.

    • Township building permits may not issue where public sewers are unavailable unless the County Department has issued the onsite sewage treatment permit.
    “No municipality, township or other agency shall issue a building permit for a building with plumbing, or allow commencement of construction on land where public sewers are unavailable unless the Department has issued a permit to construct an onsite sewage treatment system on that land.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Constructing or replacing an onsite sewage treatment system inside Pavilion Township.

    • The permit is issued by the Kalamazoo County Department.
    • A permit is not required for listed servicing, pumping, approved outlet-filter or alternator-valve work where the soil absorption area is not disturbed.
    • The County reviews the application and conducts a site evaluation before issuing the permit.
    “An owner or owner’s designated representative shall obtain a permit from the Department before constructing or replacing any onsite sewage treatment system or part thereof as required.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    New or replacement onsite sewage treatment systems inside Pavilion Township.

    • Inspection must be requested after installation and before covering or operation.
    • The system generally must be covered within 72 hours after approval unless the Department requires sooner.
    • A final-inspection waiver may be granted before covering if proper verification is provided.

    cover after approval: 72 hours (unless the Department requires earlier covering)

    “After completing the installation of all septic tanks, dosing tanks, sewer pipes, and soil absorption system, and before covering any portion of the onsite sewage treatment system or placing any portion of the onsite sewage treatment system into operation, the permit holder or the permit holder’s designated representative shall request that the Department inspect the onsite sewage treatment system.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Private onsite sanitation for dwellings inside Pavilion Township where public sewer is unavailable.

    • Private facilities must be approved by the local health department.
    • Kalamazoo County requires a permit before constructing or replacing an onsite sewage treatment system.
    • No person may occupy premises without an adequate onsite sewage treatment system.
    “No person shall occupy, offer for occupancy, or allow the occupancy of any premise, which does not have an adequate onsite sewage treatment system, which treats all forms of sewage and/or effluent in a sanitary manner.”
  • Well permitRequired

    New water-supply wells serving property inside Pavilion Township.

    • The Kalamazoo County Department issues the permit.
    • A building permit or construction commencement may not proceed on land requiring a water-supply well until the Department has issued the water-supply-system permit.
    • New well installations require Department inspection.
    “From and after the effective date of this Code, no person shall construct any new water supply well within the County of Kalamazoo unless the owner of the water supply system, or his/her/its representative, obtains a water supply system construction permit from the Department.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Every dwelling erected or moved onto premises inside Pavilion Township.

    • The dwelling must be connected to public sewer and water, or to private facilities approved by the local health department.
    • Pavilion Township reports that sewer and water service is handled by several entities, including South County Sewer and Water Authority, Kalamazoo County, City of Portage in some areas such as Long Lake, and the Township.
    “The dwelling is connected to a public sewer and water supply or to such private facilities approved by the local health department.”
  • Building in a floodplainLimited

    Onsite sewage treatment systems proposed on land inside Pavilion Township that is subject to flooding or lies within the 100-year floodplain.

    • The Kalamazoo County Department may deny the onsite sewage permit where the proposed site is subject to flooding or included within the 100-year floodplain.
    • This claim addresses onsite sewage permitting, not every form of floodplain development.

    floodplain threshold: 100-year flood plain

    “Where the proposed site is subject to flooding and/or is included within the 100-year flood plain.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Permit applications and plan reviews for construction and land-use work inside Pavilion Township.

    • Pavilion Township contracts with Associated Government Services for building, mechanical, electrical, plan reviews, plumbing, code enforcement, demolition permits, zoning, and onsite sewer inspections.
    • Permit forms and information are directed to the AGS building-department website.
    • A property address is needed before obtaining a building permit.
    “PAVILION TOWNSHIP CURRENTLY CONTRACTS WITH: ASSOCIATED GOVERNMENT SERVICES (AGS).”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built construction inside Pavilion Township.
  • Inspections — Building inspections for construction inside Pavilion Township.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of newly constructed or altered buildings inside Pavilion Township.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Single-family dwellings in the R-1 and A-1 districts inside Pavilion Township.
  • Minimum lot size — Single-family lots in the R-1 and A-1 districts inside Pavilion Township.
9 more unanswered
  • Setbacks
  • Lot coverage
  • Building height
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land
  • Short-term rentals
  • Permit fees

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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Pavilion Township publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Kalamazoo County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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