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

Coldsprings Township’s own rules

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Coldsprings Township, Kalkaska County, Michigan; zoning is administered under the Kalkaska County Zoning Ordinance.

  • The county identifies Coldsprings among townships under its zoning ordinance.

  “Townships under Kalkaska County Zoning Ordinance Bear Lake Coldsprings Excelsior Kalkaska Oliver Orange Springfield”

Rules another office applies inside Coldsprings Township

Coldsprings 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 of a building or structure inside Coldsprings Township, submitted to the appropriate enforcing agency.

  • A permit is also required when a structure or portion changes use or occupancy.
  • Ordinary repairs do not require a permit, subject to the stated structural, egress, utility, public-health, and safety limitations.

  “Before construction of a building or structure, an owner, or the owner's builder, architect, engineer, or agent, shall submit an application in writing to the appropriate enforcing agency for a building permit.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Construction inside Coldsprings Township subject to Michigan's applicable construction codes.

  • Residential requirements are contained in the Michigan Residential Code.

  Michigan Building Code effective date: 2025-04-09

  “2021 Michigan Building Code-Current Code-Effective April 9, 2025”

• Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

  Private septic systems inside Coldsprings Township, which is in Kalkaska County.

  • DHD#10 evaluates the site, designs the septic system, locates the well-installation area, and inspects final work.

  “District Health Department #10 issues permits for private wells and septic systems. DHD#10 will evaluate the site, design the septic system, locate area for well installation, and inspect the final work.”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  Private septic-system installation inside Coldsprings Township.

  • Twenty-four hours before cover/backfilling, the owner or contractor must contact the local sanitarian for final inspection.
  • If the sanitarian cannot reach the site within 24 hours, the sanitarian may allow a Contractor Affidavit and covering the system.

  contact before cover/backfill: 24 hours (Sanitarian may permit a Contractor Affidavit if unable to make the site within 24 hours.)

  “Twenty-four hours prior to cover/back filling a septic system the owner/contractor must contact the local sanitarian to complete a final inspection. If the sanitarian can not make it to the site within 24 hours then the sanitarian may give the owner/contractor permission to complete a “Contractor Affidavit” and then cover the system.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Building-permit applications for construction inside Coldsprings Township, submitted to the appropriate enforcing agency.

  • Construction documents may be waived by the building official when compliance can be determined from the application description.
  • Online and mail submission are described; mail submission may cause delays.
  • The appropriate enforcing agency may be state, county, or local government.

  “A set of construction documents is required with each application for a permit. The submission of construction documents may be waived by the building official when code compliance can be determined based on the description in the application.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction inside Coldsprings Township.
• Inspections — Building inspections inside Coldsprings Township.
• Certificate of occupancy — Buildings inside Coldsprings Township.
• Minimum dwelling size — Residential dwellings inside Coldsprings Township.
• Minimum lot size — Residential lots inside Coldsprings 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.