Bolthole Index

Kent County, Michigan

Building permits, zoning and septic in Cascade Township, Michigan

Cascade Township, Michigan requires building permits for construction and other covered building work, subject to code exemptions.1 In Kent County, Cascade Township administers its own construction code and zoning, while Kent County Health Department handles septic and well permits inside the township.2345

At a glance

Building permits
Required for covered work; code exemptions apply1
Zoning
Cascade Township regulates uses and district development standards3
Septic permits
Kent County Health Department; site plan and new-construction floorplans required46
Well permits
Required for on-site water supply installation5
Building inspections
New homes require staged inspections through final approval7
Building permit fees
Set by Township Board resolution; paid before issuance8

Who to call

Building permits

Cascade Township Building Inspections

Building plan review, building permits and inspections

616-949-3765

5920 Tahoe Dr. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49546-7123

Planning & zoning

Cascade Township Planning Department

Township land-use reviews, zoning approvals and enforcement

616-949-0224

5920 Tahoe Dr. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49546-7123

Septic permits

Kent County Health Department — Environmental Health Division

Septic and well permits, site evaluations and existing-system reviews

(616) 632-7100

700 Fuller Ave NE Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Codes & inspections

Cascade Township Building Inspections — occupancy requirements

Certificate of occupancy requirements

Roads & driveways

Kent County Road Commission (KCRC)

Permits for work in county road rights-of-way, including driveways

616-242-6920

[email protected]

1900 4 Mile Road NW, Walker, MI 49544

Online permits →

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 Cascade 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 Cascade Township, MI?

Cascade Township requires a building permit before constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving or demolishing a building or structure, or changing its occupancy, subject to code exemptions.1 Cascade Township administers and enforces the Michigan Construction Code locally; a township zoning decision and a building-code decision address separate requirements.23

Ask Building Inspections to classify the proposed work before relying on an exemption.9 Cascade Township building permit fees are established by Township Board resolution, and the fee must be paid to the Township Treasurer before a building permit is issued.8

Who issues building permits in Cascade Township?

Cascade Township Building Inspections reviews construction plans, issues building permits and carries out inspections; reach the department at 616-949-3765.9 The department is at 5920 Tahoe Dr. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49546-7123.9 New building permit applications must first receive zoning approval from the community where the project is located.9

For a Cascade Township parcel, start land-use questions with the township Planning Department at 616-949-0224, which handles land-use reviews, approvals and enforcement.10 Septic and well installation are separate county health approvals inside Cascade Township, so a township building permit does not replace those applications.65

Does Cascade Township have zoning, lot-size rules and setbacks?

Cascade Township has zoning districts that regulate permitted uses, setbacks, building height and lot coverage.3 Cascade Township directs property owners to the Zoning Map and Zoning Ordinance to identify a parcel’s classification and permitted uses.11

Ask Cascade Township Planning for the parcel’s district and the applicable lot-size, setback, height and coverage standards before choosing a house footprint or dividing land.310 We could not confirm current district-specific minimum lot sizes or minimum dwelling sizes; request those requirements from Cascade Township Planning rather than assuming a small house or a large rural parcel qualifies.10

How do septic and well permits work inside Cascade Township?

Kent County Health Department issues the septic approval for installing an on-site sewage disposal system inside Cascade Township; the application needs a detailed site plan and floorplans for new construction.46 On-site water supply wells also require installation permits.5 Kent County offers a site evaluation to determine suitability for development using on-site well and septic systems.12

Arrange the evaluation before committing to a layout that depends on septic.12 Kent County requires MISS Dig utility marking before the site visit, and its permits and site evaluations are valid for 2 years and non-transferrable.13 Divisions under 1 acre, subdivisions and site condominiums using on-site wastewater or individual wells require local health department review.14

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

We could not confirm permission to live in an RV on private land in Cascade Township, including while a home is being built; ask Cascade Township Planning about the proposed occupancy and parcel.10 We also could not confirm current Cascade Township provisions for tiny homes, manufactured homes or accessory dwellings, so request a determination for the specific structure and use before purchasing one.10

Cascade Township zoning controls the types of homes and other uses allowed in each district, while covered construction and occupancy changes require building permits.31 Off-grid sanitation eligibility remains unconfirmed; ask Kent County Health Department about the proposed system alongside the township land-use review.1210

What are the steps to build a home in Cascade Township?

Start with Cascade Township Planning to establish the parcel’s zoning classification and permitted use, then obtain the zoning approval required for a new building permit application.119 If the home will use septic or a well, arrange Kent County Health Department site evaluation and installation permit applications with the proposed layout and required floorplans.1265

Submit the building work to Cascade Township Building Inspections and arrange the job’s required inspections; new homes have pre-pour footing, pre-pour wall, pre-backfill, rough, insulation and final inspections.97 For a certificate of occupancy, all trade and building permits must receive final approval, with energy-code compliance and applicable health department well and septic approvals documented.15

What stays with Kent County when buying in Cascade Township?

Septic and well installation approvals remain with Kent County Health Department for land inside Cascade Township.45 Work in a county road right-of-way, including a residential driveway, requires a Kent County Road Commission permit; contact its Permit Department at 616-242-6920 when county-road access is involved.16 Floodplain construction, filling and grading can also require EGLE approval and applicable Kent County Drain Commission review.17

Cascade Township’s zoning applies to township parcels, while Kent County has no unified county zoning ordinance; use the Kent County guide when evaluating land outside Cascade Township and identify the applicable local jurisdiction.318

Watch-outs

  • Cascade Township zoning approval comes before a new building permit application.9
  • Kent County septic and well permits and site evaluations are non-transferrable; confirm the status of a seller’s approvals with the Health Department.13
  • Kent County Health Department applies a convenience fee to credit and debit card transactions effective October 1, 2026.12
  • We could not confirm Cascade Township’s owner-builder procedure or agricultural construction exemptions; ask Building Inspections before planning to obtain a building permit yourself or omit one for a farm structure.9

Sources

  1. cascadetwp.com (Cascade Township), quoted and re-checked
  2. Chapter 155 Construction Codes (Cascade Township), quoted and re-checked
  3. Zoning (Cascade Township), quoted and re-checked
  4. Septic & Well (Cascade Township), quoted and re-checked
  5. Septic & Well (Cascade Township), quoted and re-checked
  6. Septic & Well (Cascade Township), quoted and re-checked
  7. cascadetwp.com (Cascade Township), quoted and re-checked
  8. Chapter 155 Construction Codes (Cascade Township), quoted and re-checked
  9. Cascade Township Building Inspections (cascadetwp.com)
  10. Cascade Township Planning Department (cascadetwp.com)
  11. Zoning (Cascade Township), quoted and re-checked
  12. Kent County Health Department — Environmental Health Division (kentcountymi.gov)
  13. Septic & Well | Kent County, MI, quoted and re-checked
  14. Septic & Well (Cascade Township), quoted and re-checked
  15. Cascade Township Building Inspections — occupancy requirements (cascadetwp.com)
  16. Kent County Road Commission (KCRC) (kentcountyroads.net)
  17. Site Development Rules: Procedures and Design Standards for Stormwater Management, quoted and re-checked
  18. 2025 Kent County Fair Housing Analysis & Equity Plan, 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 Cascade Township

Cascade Township’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, movement, demolition, or occupancy change involving a building or structure inside Cascade charter township.

    • Section 105.2 exemptions apply.
    • A permit is required before the covered work proceeds.
    “The Michigan Building Code requires a permit be acquired by an owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building or structure. Section 105.2 lists several exemptions to this requirement.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Construction inside Cascade charter township under the Michigan Construction Code administered by the Township.

    • The adopted Construction Code consists of the Michigan Building, Residential, Uniform Energy, Electrical, Mechanical, and Plumbing Codes.
    • The Township Building Official administers and enforces the code and issues permits.
    “Pursuant to the provisions of this Section 8a and 8b of the Act, Cascade Charter Township (the "Township") hereby adopts by reference the Construction Code. The Township assumes responsibility for the administration and enforcement of the Construction Code and the Act within the Township.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    New-home construction inside Cascade charter township.

    • For new homes, inspections listed by the Township are pre-pour footing, pre-pour wall, pre-backfill, rough, insulation, and final.
    • Inspection requirements depend on the particular job.
    “This depends on the particular job. For new homes, we perform the following inspections: pre-pour footing, pre-pour wall, pre-backfill, rough, insulation and final. Please check with the office if you have any questions 616-949-3765.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land-use regulation inside Cascade charter township, including district boundaries, permitted uses, and development standards.

    “Zoning determines how land can be used and developed within Cascade Charter Township. It divides the Township into districts, each with its own rules for the types of homes, businesses, and other uses allowed, as well as standards like how far buildings must sit from property lines, how tall they can be, and how much of a lot they can cover.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts and classifications inside Cascade charter township.

    • The Township directs users to the Zoning Map and Zoning Ordinance for property classification and permitted uses.
    • The current codified eCode360 Chapter 400 states that the Township zoning ordinance is excluded from codification and available from Township offices; the Township's official zoning page identifies the ordinance as the controlling tool.
    “See the Zoning Map and Zoning Ordinance for your classification and permitted uses.”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    Building permits issued inside Cascade charter township.

    • The fee is established by Township Board resolution.
    • No permit may be issued until the fee has been paid to the Township Treasurer.
    • The codified section states it was amended October 24, 2012 by Ordinance No. 7-2012.
    “The fee for any permit issued pursuant to the Construction Code shall be established by resolution of the Township Board pursuant to Section 22 of the Act. [...] No permit shall be issued unless such fee has been paid to the Township Treasurer.”

Rules another office applies inside Cascade Township

Cascade Township 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

    On-site sewage disposal and related well/septic environmental-health review for land inside Cascade charter township.

    • The county page identifies the local health department as the reviewing body for divisions of land under one acre, subdivisions, and site condominiums served by onsite wastewater or individual wells.
    “Required permit for installation of on-site sewage disposal (septic) systems. The application must include a detailed site plan and floorplans if new construction.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Installation of onsite sewage-disposal systems inside Cascade charter township.

    • The application must include a detailed site plan.
    • Floorplans are required if the septic system is associated with new construction.
    “Required permit for installation of on-site sewage disposal (septic) systems. The application must include a detailed site plan and floorplans if new construction.”
  • Well permitRequired

    Installation of residential and other onsite water-supply well systems inside Cascade charter township.

    “Required permit for installation of on-site water supply (well) systems.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Divisions of land under one acre, subdivisions, and site condominiums inside Cascade charter township that will use onsite wastewater or individual water wells.

    • The local health department review requirement is tied to land served by onsite wastewater disposal systems and/or individual water-supply wells.
    • Cascade Township separately provides a Land Division Application through its Planning Department.

    land-division threshold: < 1 acre (divisions under one acre)

    “An evaluation of a proposed division of land to be served by onsite wastewater disposal systems and/or individual water supply wells. The Michigan Land Division Act (Public Act 288 of 1967) requires that all divisions of land under one acre, subdivisions, and site condominiums be reviewed by the local health department.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemptions for construction inside Cascade charter township.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in Cascade charter township residential districts.
  • Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size in Cascade charter township residential and agricultural/rural districts.
  • Setbacks — Building setbacks in Cascade charter township residential and agricultural/rural districts.
  • Lot coverage — Lot coverage in Cascade charter township residential and agricultural/rural districts.
10 more unanswered
  • Building height
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • Short-term rentals

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 Cascade Township publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Kent County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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