Bolthole Index

Kalamazoo County, Michigan

Building permits, zoning and septic in Village of Richland, Michigan

Village of Richland, Michigan building permits go through the Kalamazoo Area Building Authority (KABA), under Michigan’s statewide permit requirement for construction subject to the code.12 The village sets zoning, while Kalamazoo County Health and Community Services handles onsite septic systems where public sewer is unavailable.34 RV occupancy on a residential lot needs a village permit and is limited to 6 weeks.5

At a glance

Building permits
KABA handles village building permits; code exceptions need project-specific confirmation.12
Zoning
Village zoning applies; the official map at Village Hall controls.3
Septic permits
County Health and Community Services approval before construction or replacement.46
RV living
Residential-lot permit: maximum 6 weeks, no more often than once in 6 months.5
Home size
R-1 and R-2 single-family dwellings: minimum 1,000 sq ft.78
Lot size
Single-family minimum lot area per dwelling: R-1, 16,500 sq ft; R-2, 13,000 sq ft.910
Owner-builder
Michigan’s own-use licensing exception does not waive building permits.112

Who to call

Zoning

Village of Richland Clerk / Village Hall

Village zoning questions and applications; directs building-permit applicants to KABA.

269-629-9903

[email protected]

Building permits

Kalamazoo Area Building Authority (KABA)

Village building and trade permit applications and construction inspections.

269.216.9511

[email protected]

2322 Nazareth Road Kalamazoo, MI 49048

Online permits →

Septic permits

Kalamazoo County Environmental Health Division

Onsite sewage treatment permits, inspections and installer oversight.

269-373-5210

311 E. Alcott St.

Well permits

Kalamazoo County Environmental Health – Vacant Land Evaluations

Vacant-land evaluations for onsite water and sewage suitability.

311 E. Alcott St.

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 12, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

These are affiliate links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, Bolthole Index earns from qualifying purchases.

Do you need a building permit in Village of Richland, MI?

Village of Richland construction subject to Michigan’s construction code requires a building-permit application before work begins, except where the code provides an exception.2 The village contracts all building permits to KABA, so start with that authority rather than the county planning office.1 Submit the proposed scope to KABA to establish the building and trade applications your project needs.12

Michigan’s owner-builder exception concerns residential-builder licensing for a home built on your property for your own use and occupancy; the exception does not remove the separate building-permit requirement.112 A new or altered building subject to the code must receive a certificate of occupancy before use or occupancy.13

Who handles building permits in Village of Richland?

KABA is the Village of Richland building-permit contact, and the authority processes applications and inspections for its participating jurisdictions.112 Reach KABA at 269.216.9511 or [email protected]; the office is at 2322 Nazareth Road, Kalamazoo, MI 49048.12 KABA accepts applications by email and through its online forms.12

KABA bases building-permit fees on construction value, so request the applicable fee calculation for your plans.12 The permit holder must request required inspections, and KABA requires at least 24 hours’ notice for scheduling.12 For village zoning questions, contact the Village Clerk at 269-629-9903 or [email protected].1

Does Village of Richland have zoning and minimum home sizes?

Village of Richland has its own zoning ordinance, and the official zoning map at Village Hall is the final authority on a parcel’s current zoning.3 Confirm the district before designing a house: single-family dwellings in R-1 and R-2 require at least 1,000 sq ft of floor area per dwelling unit.78 Minimum lot area per single-family dwelling unit is 16,500 sq ft in R-1 and 13,000 sq ft in R-2.910

Those district-specific minimums matter for a proposed tiny house; a small footprint alone does not establish an approved dwelling use.78 Ask the Village Clerk to confirm the district, setbacks and treatment of your proposed dwelling before committing to a design.1

How do septic permits work inside Village of Richland?

Kalamazoo County Health and Community Services administers onsite sewage treatment inside Village of Richland where public sewer is unavailable.4 Obtain county approval before constructing or replacing a septic system; the department reviews the application and evaluates the site before issuing a permit.6 Installation must be by a registered company or the property owner.14

Request the county’s inspection after installation and before covering or operating the system, unless the department grants the allowed inspection waiver before coverage.15 Where a building connects to available public sewer, a sewer connection permit, paid assessments and connection charges, and available capacity are required; private septic facilities must be abandoned upon connection.16 Off-grid plumbing still must discharge to an approved onsite system or public sanitary sewer.17

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Village of Richland?

Village of Richland prohibits RV occupancy on private property except in an authorized recreational campground or under the village’s residential-lot permit.5 Apply to the Village President or Chief of Police within 24 hours after parking; a residential-lot permit allows no more than 6 weeks and cannot be issued more often than once in 6 months for the same lot or parcel.5 The permit allows only 1 RV per address and cannot involve a charge for parking or services.5

Do not plan a long construction stay around that temporary permission.5 For a permanent small dwelling, the R-1 and R-2 single-family minimum is 1,000 sq ft; ask the village about the proposed use and KABA about construction approval.781

Building a home in Village of Richland: what comes first?

  1. Start at Village Hall by confirming the parcel’s official zoning district and checking the applicable dwelling and lot minimums.379
  2. Establish whether the home will connect to public sewer or need county septic approval before finalizing the site layout.166 County Environmental Health offers vacant-land evaluations that identify onsite water and sewage limitations, assess soils and topography, and determine depth to high groundwater.18
  1. Submit construction plans to KABA and arrange the required inspections through the permit holder.212
  2. Obtain the code official’s certificate of occupancy before using a new or altered building subject to the code.13

For land outside village limits, use the Kalamazoo County guide and confirm the appropriate local government’s zoning and building contacts.19

Watch-outs

  • An RV residential-lot permit in Village of Richland is temporary: maximum 6 weeks, no more often than once in 6 months for the same parcel.5
  • Before drilling a well in Village of Richland, ask Kalamazoo County Environmental Health whether the county requires a well permit or notification for your project.2018
  • A driveway constructed or reconstructed within state highway right-of-way needs MDOT driveway approval in addition to applicable local building approval.21

Sources

  1. Village of Richland Clerk / Village Hall (villageofrichland.org)
  2. Stille-DeRossett-Hale Single State Construction Code Act, MCL 125.1510 (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  3. Chapter 34 Zoning (Village of Richland), quoted and re-checked
  4. Kalamazoo County Sanitary Code (Village of Richland), quoted and re-checked
  5. Chapter 16 Manufactured Homes and Recreational Vehicles (Village of Richland), quoted and re-checked
  6. kalcounty.gov (Village of Richland), quoted and re-checked
  7. Village of Richland Zoning Ordinance (Village of Richland), quoted and re-checked
  8. Village of Richland Zoning Ordinance (Village of Richland), quoted and re-checked
  9. webgen1files.revize.com (Village of Richland), quoted and re-checked
  10. webgen1files.revize.com (Village of Richland), quoted and re-checked
  11. Frequently Asked Questions – Residential Builder (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. Kalamazoo Area Building Authority (KABA) (kaba-mi.org)
  13. Certificate of Occupancy Request (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. Kalamazoo County Environmental Health Division (kalcounty.gov)
  15. kalcounty.gov (Village of Richland), quoted and re-checked
  16. ecode360.com (Village of Richland), quoted and re-checked
  17. Kalamazoo County Sanitary Code (Village of Richland), quoted and re-checked
  18. Kalamazoo County Environmental Health – Vacant Land Evaluations (kalcounty.gov)
  19. Zoning & Building Inspection Resources, quoted and re-checked
  20. Before you start a well drilling business (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. Infrastructure permits (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked

Written October 12, 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 Village of Richland

Village of Richland’s own rules

  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Richland village; the Village adopts and maintains its own zoning ordinance.

    • The official zoning map is located at Village Hall and is the final authority as to current zoning status.
    • The 2024 amendment created the OSR Open Space Recreational district, effective October 14, 2024.
    “For the purpose of this ordinance, the Village of Richland is hereby divided into the following zoning districts:”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts inside Richland village.

    • The official zoning map at Village Hall controls current zoning status.
    • The 2024 amendment added OSR Open Space Recreational.
    “For the purpose of this ordinance, the Village of Richland is hereby divided into the following zoning districts:”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    Single-family dwellings in the R-1 Residential, Single-Family district.

    • The Article 10 schedule applies by zoning district and dwelling type.

    minimum floor area per dwelling unit: >= 1000 sq ft (single-family dwelling)

    “PRINCIPAL BUILDING/STRUCTURE R-1 R-2 R-3 R-4 [...] Minimum Floor Area Per Dwelling Unit (Sq Ft) Single-Family [...] 1,000 1,000”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Single-family dwellings in the R-2 Residential, Single- and Two-Family district.
      “PRINCIPAL BUILDING/STRUCTURE R-1 R-2 R-3 R-4 [...] Minimum Floor Area Per Dwelling Unit (Sq Ft) Single-Family [...] 1,000 1,000”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Single-family dwelling lots in the R-1 district.

    • The table states minimum lot area per dwelling unit, not a separate aggregate lot-area rule.

    minimum lot area per dwelling unit: >= 16500 sq ft (single-family dwelling)

    “PRINCIPAL BUILDING/STRUCTURE R-1 R-2 R-3 R-4 [...] Minimum Lot Area Per Dwelling Unit (Sq Ft) Single-Family [...] 16,500 13,000”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Single-family dwelling lots in the R-2 district.
      “PRINCIPAL BUILDING/STRUCTURE R-1 R-2 R-3 R-4 [...] Minimum Lot Area Per Dwelling Unit (Sq Ft) Single-Family [...] 16,500 13,000”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Recreational-vehicle occupancy on private property or public places inside Richland village.

    • Public-place overnight parking is prohibited.
    • Private-property occupancy is prohibited except in an authorized recreational campground or under a residential-lot permit.
    • A residential-lot permit must be applied for within 24 hours after parking.
    • The permit cannot exceed six weeks, cannot occur more often than once in six months for the same lot or parcel, cannot involve a charge for parking or services, and cannot authorize more than one RV per address.

    maximum permitted occupancy: 6 weeks (and no more often than once in six months for the same lot or parcel) · maximum RVs per address: 1 vehicle

    “A permit for the occupancy of a recreational vehicle on a residential lot may be granted by the Village President or Chief of Police upon application of the occupant of such recreational vehicle within 24 hours after the parking of such recreational vehicle.”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Temporary camping or temporary dwelling in recreational vehicles inside Richland village.

    • The Village code permits only the limited residential-lot RV permit described in §16-33 or an authorized recreational campground.
    • The six-week, six-month frequency, no-charge, and one-RV-per-address restrictions apply.
    “No person shall park, or permit the parking of, a recreational vehicle for occupancy on any private property within the Village, except in an authorized recreational campground permitted under the provisions of Sections 12501 — 12516 of Public Act No. 368 of 1978 (MCL 333.12501 — 333.12516).”
  • Manufactured homesAllowed (with conditions)

    Manufactured-home occupancy inside the R-4 Residential Mobile Home Park district and qualifying mobile-home parks inside Richland village.

    • R-4 is designed solely for mobile-home parks.
    • Mobile-home parks must comply with Michigan Public Act 96 of 1987 and its regulations, except where modified by the Village ordinance.
    • The Village dwelling definition requires connection to public sewer and water or private facilities approved by the local health department, with an exception for mobile homes in licensed mobile-home parks to the extent allowed by state law or Village park rules.
    “This district is designed solely for the development of mobile home parks and such accessory structures and uses normally associated therewith, in accordance with those regulations specified by Michigan Public Act 96 of 1987 and all amendments thereto, and consistent with the goals and objectives of the Village Land Use Plan and other requirements specified herein.”

Rules another office applies inside Village of Richland

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

  • Who permits septicCounty

    Onsite sewage treatment administration inside Richland village is assigned to the Kalamazoo County Health and Community Services Department.

    • The County Sanitary Code supplements state and federal public-health laws.
    • The code governs onsite systems where public, municipal, or community sanitary sewer facilities are unavailable.
    ““Health Department” means the Kalamazoo County Health and Community Services Department.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Construction or replacement of an onsite sewage treatment system inside Richland village where onsite treatment is applicable.

    • A permit is not required for servicing or replacing similar mechanical or electrical parts of an approved existing system, pumping septic or holding-tank contents, or installing an approved outlet filter or alternator valve.
    • The Department reviews the application and conducts a site evaluation before issuing a 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

    Permitted onsite sewage treatment systems inside Richland village.

    • The inspection request must occur after installation and before covering or placing the system into operation.
    • The Department may waive the final inspection if proper verification, including a qualifying installer affidavit, is provided and the waiver is granted before coverage.
    • An approved system must be covered within 72 hours unless the Department requires sooner.

    covering deadline 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

    Off-grid sewage disposal inside Richland village.

    • All plumbing fixtures from which sewage emanates must connect to an approved onsite sewage treatment system or public sanitary sewer.
    • A privy cannot be maintained, constructed, or moved where public sanitary sewer is available or where state or local ordinances prohibit it.
    “All toilets, urinals, lavatories, sinks, bathtubs, showers, laundry washing facilities and any other premise plumbing fixture from which sewage emanates, must be connected to an approved onsite sewage treatment system, or to a public sanitary sewer.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    Buildings inside Richland village connecting to the available public sanitary sewer.

    • A sewer connection permit is required.
    • Connection permits require payment of assessments and connection charges and a determination that capacity is available.
    • Private septic tanks, cesspools, and similar facilities must be abandoned when connection is made.
    • The code does not establish a universal public-water connection requirement in the opened passage.
    “Residential permits: for connection of a premises' building sewer to the available public sewer service lead.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Building permit — Building permits for construction inside Richland village.
  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemptions for construction inside Richland village.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy for buildings inside Richland village.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Richland village.
  • Well permit — Private and public well permits inside Richland village.
6 more unanswered
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land
  • Driveway access
  • Building in a floodplain
  • 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 Village of Richland publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Kalamazoo County’s page lists the county offices to call.

← All of Kalamazoo County: county rules, score and offices