Bolthole Index

Kent County, Michigan

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Kentwood, Michigan

Kentwood, Michigan requires a city building-permit application for residential construction, reviewed against building-code requirements and city ordinances.1 Kentwood applies its own zoning requirements; on-site septic systems remain under the Kent County Health Department, including inside city limits.23 Living in a parked RV in Kentwood residential areas is prohibited, although the zoning administrator may permit sleeping accommodations for up to 2 weeks.4

At a glance

Building permits
City residential application and code/ordinance review1
Zoning
City zoning applies, including accessory-structure approval2
Septic
Kent County Health Department; public-sewer discharge is exempt35
RV living
Prohibited in residential areas; sleeping-only permit up to 2 weeks4
Minimum home size
R1-A: 1,040 sq. ft.; R1-B: 850 sq. ft.; district conditions apply6
Owner-builder
Own use and occupancy; minimum occupancy declaration of 1 year7
Wells
County approval for on-site well installation8

Who to call

Building permits

City of Kentwood Inspections Department

Building applications, building codes and inspections

616.554.0700

[email protected]

Zoning

City of Kentwood Planning Department

Accessory-building sizes, locations and setbacks; zoning questions

616.554.0707

Roads & driveways

City of Kentwood Engineering Department

Driveway and earth-change applications

(616) 554-0737

Septic permits

Kent County Health Department -- Environmental Health Division

On-site septic and well permits, site evaluations, and well/septic evaluations

(616) 632-7100

700 Fuller Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

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 Kentwood means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Kentwood, MI?

Kentwood’s residential building application must be complete and is reviewed for building-code and city-ordinance compliance; the required documents include site plans or a survey, blueprints, section details, truss drawings and an energy-code form.1 Do not begin work until Kentwood has issued the building permit.9 A one-story detached accessory structure of 200 square feet or less is exempt from the building permit but still needs zoning administrator approval.2 Kentwood’s owner-builder declaration requires the owner’s own use and occupancy and a minimum occupancy period of 1 year; the licensing exemption does not remove the building-permit requirement.7

Who handles building permits and zoning questions in Kentwood?

For Kentwood building applications and building-code questions, contact the City Inspections Department at [email protected] or 616.554.0700.10 For accessory-building sizes, locations and setbacks, call Kentwood Planning at 616.554.0707.11 Kentwood’s Engineering Department handles the driveway application listed in the residential building procedures and can be reached at (616) 554-0737.9 These city approvals are separate from on-site septic and well approvals, which come from the Kent County Health Department.38 We could not confirm a complete current Kentwood building-fee schedule; request the project-specific fees from Inspections.1

Does Kentwood have zoning, and how does it affect a small home?

Kentwood’s building permits and certificates of occupancy must comply with the city’s codes and zoning ordinance.2 Kentwood’s R1-A district requires a dwelling of at least 1,040 square feet, including at least 650 square feet on the main floor; R1-B requires at least 850 square feet, including 600 square feet on the main floor.6 Maximum lot coverage, including main and accessory structures, is 20% in R1-A, 25% in R1-B and R1-C, and 30% in R1-D.12 Ask Kentwood Planning to identify the parcel’s district and applicable setbacks before choosing a house footprint.11 We could not confirm a distinct tiny-home occupancy rule or accessory-dwelling permission; ask Planning about the proposed use.11

How do septic permits and wells work inside Kentwood?

The Kent County Health Department administers on-site sewage rules throughout Kentwood; a property discharging all sewage directly into public sewer through enclosed piping is exempt from the county septic-permit requirement.35 For an on-site system, obtain the county septic permit before construction, repair, enlargement or relocation; a new building requiring such a system cannot receive its city construction permit first.5 New-construction septic applications need a detailed site plan and floorplans.13 Leave the permitted septic installation accessible for final inspection and health approval unless the Health Officer waives inspection.14 On-site well installation also requires county approval.8 Kentwood lots in R-2, R-3 and R-4 must use public sanitary sewer and public water, so an off-grid utility plan is not an alternative there.15

Can you live in an RV on your land in Kentwood?

Kentwood prohibits using stored, parked or placed recreational vehicles for living purposes in residential areas and prohibits fixed connections to electricity, water, gas or sanitary sewer.4 The zoning administrator may issue a permit for sleeping accommodations only, for no more than 2 weeks.16 That limited sleeping permission does not authorize using an RV as a home during construction.4 A small permanent dwelling faces a separate set of district requirements: Kentwood’s R-5 manufactured housing district specifies at least 720 square feet of floor area, with 600 square feet on the main floor, excluding garage, basement or porch.17 We could not confirm a separate tiny-home approval route; ask Kentwood Planning before buying a unit for occupancy.11

Building a home in Kentwood: what are the steps, in order?

  1. Identify the Kentwood zoning district and fit the proposed footprint to the district’s dwelling-size and lot-coverage requirements; ask Planning about accessory-building setbacks.61211
  2. Establish utility service: public water and sewer are mandatory in R-2, R-3 and R-4; where the home is not served by city water and sewer, obtain county well and septic approvals.15
  3. Assemble Kentwood’s complete residential application with site plans, building drawings, energy documentation, applicable driveway and earth-change approvals, and utility hookup-fee receipts.1
  4. Wait for the city building permit before starting, arrange construction inspections with the enforcing agency, and meet all applicable codes and ordinances before the city issues a certificate of occupancy.9182

What should you check before buying land in Kentwood?

For a Kentwood parcel needing on-site utilities, request a Kent County Health Department site evaluation to determine suitability for the proposed development and well/septic systems.13 County septic and well services require MISS Dig utility marking before the site visit, and county permits and site evaluations are valid for 2 years and are non-transferrable.19 Confirm driveway and earth-change application requirements with Kentwood Engineering before committing to access or grading plans.9 Michigan floodplain authority can also apply to watercourses with drainage areas of at least 2 square miles; we could not confirm Kentwood’s complete local floodplain approval requirements.20 For land outside city limits, use the Kent County guide to identify the separate local zoning authority: Kent County itself has no unified zoning ordinance.21

Watch-outs

  • Kentwood’s small-accessory-structure building-permit exemption still requires zoning administrator approval; it does not authorize dwelling occupancy.2
  • A Kentwood RV sleeping permit is limited to 2 weeks and sleeping accommodations only.16
  • We could not confirm Kentwood permission for non-septic off-grid sanitation; ask Planning and the Kent County Health Department before designing that system.1113

Sources

  1. Residential Building Permit Procedures (Kentwood), quoted and re-checked
  2. Section 22.04. Building permits and certificates of occupancy (Kentwood), quoted and re-checked
  3. Sewage Disposal Regulations for Kent County, MI (Kentwood), quoted and re-checked
  4. Section 86-108. Occupation of stored, parked or placed recreational vehicles or recreational equipment (Kentwood), quoted and re-checked
  5. Sewage Disposal Regulations for Kent County, MI (Kentwood), quoted and re-checked
  6. library.municode.com (Kentwood), quoted and re-checked
  7. Residential Building Permit Procedures (Kentwood), quoted and re-checked
  8. Septic & Well (Kentwood), quoted and re-checked
  9. City of Kentwood Engineering Department (cms6.revize.com)
  10. City of Kentwood Inspections Department (cms6.revize.com)
  11. City of Kentwood Planning Department (cms6.revize.com)
  12. library.municode.com (Kentwood), quoted and re-checked
  13. Kent County Health Department -- Environmental Health Division (kentcountymi.gov)
  14. Sewage Disposal Regulations for Kent County, MI (Kentwood), quoted and re-checked
  15. Section 6.03. Development requirements (Kentwood), quoted and re-checked
  16. Section 86-108. Occupation of stored, parked or placed recreational vehicles or recreational equipment (Kentwood), quoted and re-checked
  17. library.municode.com (Kentwood), quoted and re-checked
  18. MCL 125.1512, Inspection of construction (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. Septic & Well | Kent County, MI, quoted and re-checked
  20. Floodplains (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. 2025 Kent County Fair Housing Analysis & Equity Plan, 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 Kentwood

Kentwood’s own rules

  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    An owner applying for residential self-contracting in Kentwood.

    • The owner must perform the work for the owner's own use and occupancy.
    • The owner declares a minimum occupancy period of one full year.
    • The exemption concerns licensing requirements and does not eliminate the building permit requirement.

    minimum occupancy: 1 year

    “Home herewith declares that the work is to be done by me for my own use and occupancy as the owner of the above described property. I certify that I am exempt from the requirements of the Public Acts of 1967, numbered 153. I have received information regarding electrical, mechanical, and plumbing rules. I declare that my minimum period of occupancy will be one full year.”
  • Certificate of occupancyLimited

    Certificates of occupancy issued by Kentwood for buildings and accessory structures.

    • A certificate of occupancy cannot be issued unless the project complies with all applicable codes and ordinances.
    • One-story detached accessory structures of 200 square feet or less do not require a building permit, but require zoning administrator approval.

    accessory structure floor area: <= 200 sq. ft. (one-story detached accessory structures)

    “No building permit or certificate of occupancy shall be issued by the city except in compliance with all codes and ordinances including this ordinance.”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Residential dwellings in Kentwood R-1 districts.

    • R-1 standards vary by district: R1-A, R1-B, R1-C, and R1-D.
    • The R1-A entry is 1,040 square feet minimum and 650 square feet minimum on the main floor.
    • The R1-B entry is 850 square feet minimum and 600 square feet minimum on the main floor.
    • The supplied table shows no separate value in the R1-C and R1-D columns.

    minimum dwelling size in R1-A: 1040 sq. ft. (650 sq. ft. minimum on main floor) · minimum dwelling size in R1-B: 850 sq. ft. (600 sq. ft. minimum on main floor)

    “Minimum dwelling unit size 1,040 sq. ft. minimum 650 sq. ft. on main floor 850 sq. ft. minimum 600 sq. ft. on main floor See chapter 2, floor area, main definition for split level buildings.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Residential uses in the Kentwood R-5 manufactured housing district.
      “Minimum floor area 720 sq. ft. minimum 600 square feet on main floor Not applicable Minimum floor area is exclusive of garage, basement or porch”
  • Lot coverageDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Residential lots in Kentwood R-1 districts.

    • Coverage includes the area of lots covered by main and accessory buildings and structures.
    • Maximum coverage varies by R1-A through R1-D.

    R1-A maximum lot coverage: 20 percent · R1-B maximum lot coverage: 25 percent · R1-C maximum lot coverage: 25 percent · R1-D maximum lot coverage: 30 percent

    “Maximum lot coverage 20% 25% 25% 30% Includes area of lot covered by main and accessory buildings and structures.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Residential and nonresidential buildings in Kentwood's R-5 manufactured housing district.

    • Residential maximum is two stories or 25 feet.
    • Nonresidential maximum is 2.5 stories or 35 feet.
    • Section 3.03 also applies.

    residential maximum height: two stories or 25 ft. · nonresidential maximum height: 2.5 stories or 35 ft.

    “Maximum building height Two stories 25 feet 2.5 stories 35 feet See section 3.03”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Stored, parked, or placed recreational vehicles and recreational equipment in residential areas inside Kentwood city limits.

    • Recreational vehicles may not be occupied or used for living purposes.
    • They may not have fixed connections to electricity, water, gas, or sanitary sewer.
    • A zoning administrator permit may allow sleeping accommodations for no more than two weeks.

    maximum sleeping-accommodation period: <= 2 weeks (permit from zoning administrator)

    “At no time shall any stored, parked or placed recreational vehicle and/or recreational equipment be occupied or used for living purposes, nor shall any such recreational vehicle and/or recreational equipment have fixed connections to electricity, water, gas or a sanitary sewer. A permit for sleeping accommodations only, not to exceed two weeks, may be obtained from the zoning administrator.”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Temporary sleeping in stored, parked, or placed recreational vehicles inside Kentwood city limits.

    • Only sleeping accommodations are potentially permitted.
    • A zoning administrator permit is required.
    • The period may not exceed two weeks.

    maximum period: <= 2 weeks (zoning administrator permit)

    “A permit for sleeping accommodations only, not to exceed two weeks, may be obtained from the zoning administrator.”
  • Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

    On-site sewage disposal inside Kentwood city limits where the property is not served by public sewer; Kent County Health Department is the administering authority.

    • The county regulations apply to premises within Kent County.
    • Public-sewer discharges are exempt from the county septic permit requirement.
    “The responsibility for administration and enforcement of these Regulations shall reside with the Director of the Kent County Health Department. The Regulations shall be in full force and effect throughout all areas of Kent County, incorporated and unincorporated.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Construction, repair, enlargement, or relocation of an on-site sewage facility serving premises inside Kentwood city limits.

    • Permit is required before the work.
    • No permit is required when all sewage discharges directly into a public sewer through enclosed piping.
    • Other exceptions apply for state or federal jurisdiction and minor actions determined unnecessary by the Health Officer.
    • A city construction permit for a new building requiring a sewage facility cannot issue until the septic permit is obtained.
    “Before any person shall construct, repair, enlarge, or relocate any sewage disposal facility serving any premise within Kent County, he shall first obtain a permit authorizing such action from a Health Officer.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Permitted on-site sewage facilities inside Kentwood city limits.

    • Final inspection occurs before approval.
    • The facility cannot be covered or made inaccessible before final inspection and Health Officer approval.
    • The Health Officer may waive final inspection if adequacy is verified by other means.

    inspection response target: <= 2 working days (the Health Officer shall attempt to respond)

    “All work authorized by a permit issued by the Health Officer shall be subject to a final inspection before such work shall be approved. No sewage disposal facility or component thereof shall be given a final cover, or otherwise rendered inaccessible, until a final inspection has taken place, and the Health Officer has given his approval.”
  • Well permitRequired

    Installation of on-site water-supply wells for premises inside Kentwood city limits.

    • The Kent County Health Department page states that a permit is required for installation of on-site water-supply well systems.
    • The City permit packet requires Kent County well and septic approvals when a new home is not serviced by city water and sewer.
    “Required permit for installation of on-site water supply (well) systems.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    New residential development inside Kentwood city limits.

    • All lots in R-2, R-3, and R-4 must be served by public sanitary sewer and public water.
    • In R-1, lot-area requirements vary depending on whether public water and sanitary sewer are available.
    • For homes not served by city water and sewer, the city permit packet requires Kent County well and septic approvals.
    “All lots in the R-2, R-3 and R-4 districts must be served by public sanitary sewer and public water.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Residential building projects inside Kentwood city limits requiring a driveway.

    • A driveway permit from the Kentwood Engineering Department is listed as required in the residential building permit procedures.
    “Driveway Permit from Kentwood Engineering Department – (616) 554-0737.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Residential building permit applications inside Kentwood city limits.

    • The application must be complete.
    • Site plans or surveys must show distances to lot lines, rights-of-way, and other structures.
    • Blueprints, section details, truss drawings, and an energy-code form are required.
    • Well/septic approvals, driveway and earth-change permits, and applicable water/sewer hookup-fee receipts are required when applicable.
    • The application is reviewed for compliance with Michigan 2021 Building Code and City ordinances.
    “The following ITEMS ARE REQUIRED when submitting a building permit:”

Still unanswered

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

  • Inspections — Building inspections for construction inside Kentwood city limits.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Kentwood city limits.
  • Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling units inside Kentwood city limits.
  • Off-grid sanitation — Off-grid sanitation systems inside Kentwood city limits.
  • Agricultural exemption — Agricultural buildings or uses inside Kentwood city limits.
3 more unanswered
  • 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 Kentwood publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Kent County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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