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

Oakfield Township’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Construction of any structure, building, or fence inside Oakfield township limits.

  • Permit applications are submitted to PCI (Professional Code Inspections), the township's contracted inspection firm; contact PCI to confirm permits before construction begins.

  “oakfield township requires a permit to be obtained prior to the construction of any structure, building, fence, or any other activity that will affect the landscape of the township.”

• InspectionsRequired

  Building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing inspections in Oakfield township.

  • Inspections are performed by PCI (Professional Code Inspections), Rockford, MI, under the township's contract; the building inspector has no office hours at the township.

  “all building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing inspections are performed by professional code inspections (pci).”

• Local zoningPresent

  Land inside Oakfield township limits (Kent County, MI) is governed by the township's own zoning ordinance.

  • The chapter 20 page of the ordinance states the ordinance was adopted October 11, 2016 and became effective November 15, 2016.
  • The ordinance page lists chapters 1 through 20 including R-R Rural Residential and Agricultural, MFR, MHC, L-R Lakes Residential, C, C-1 and I-1 districts; dimensional standards were not retrieved.
  • The ordinance amendment history on the chapter 20 page lists dates through October 2024 (10-8-24).

  “this ordinance was adopted by the township board on october 11, 2016 and it became effective on november 15, 2016.”

• Zoning districtsPublished

  Zoning districts inside Oakfield township limits.

  • Districts listed in the table of contents: R-R Rural Residential and Agricultural (ch. 5), MFR Multiple-Family (ch. 6), MHC Manufactured Housing Community (ch. 6a), L-R Lakes Residential (ch. 7), C General Commercial (ch. 8), C-1 Neighborhood Commercial (ch. 9), I-1 Light Industrial (ch. 10), and Residential PUD (ch. 11).

  “chapter 5: r-r rural residential and agricultural district chapter 6: mfr multiple-family district chapter 6a: mhc manufactured housing community district chapter 7: l-r lakes residential district chapter 8: c general commercial district chapter 9: c-1 neighborhood commercial district chapter 10: i-1 light industrial district chapter 11: residential planned unit development district”

• Subdividing landRegulated

  Land divisions inside Oakfield township limits.

  • Township Chapter 15 is the Land Division Ordinance; the Michigan Land Division Act review by the local health department applies to divisions under one acre (see Kent County septic page), not verified in the township text.

  “chapter 15: land division ordinance chapter 16: prohibition of public nudity ordinance”

• Permit processPublished

  Building and zoning permit applications for land inside Oakfield township.

  • Applications may be dropped off at PCI or the township office, or mailed to PCI at 6581 Belding Rd/M-44, Suite 101, Rockford, MI 49341.
  • Fees are paid to PCI by check payable to Oakfield Township, cash, or credit card.
  • Zoning questions go to PCI at 616-407-4980.

  “applications for permits can be dropped off at pci or the oakfield township office or mailed to: pci 6581 belding rd/m-44, suite 101 rockford, mi 49341”

Rules another office applies inside Oakfield Township

Oakfield 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 (septic) systems on land inside Oakfield township (Kent County, MI).

  • The Kent County page does not name Oakfield township; it describes county-run on-site septic permits and evaluations, so applicability inside the township rests on that county program covering the county.
  • Township does not regulate septic in the sources retrieved.

  “on-site sewage disposal required permit for installation of on-site sewage disposal (septic) systems.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Installation of septic systems on land inside Oakfield township (Kent County, MI).

  • Application must include a detailed site plan and floor plans for new construction (Kent County page).
  • Kent County page does not name Oakfield township specifically; applies through the county program.

  “on-site sewage disposal 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 on-site water supply (well) systems on land inside Oakfield township (Kent County, MI).

  • Kent County page does not name Oakfield township specifically; applies through the county program.

  “water supply permit required permit for installation of on-site water supply (well) systems.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption for building permits inside Oakfield township.
• Building code adopted — Which building codes Oakfield township adopts.
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for new homes inside Oakfield township.
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in the main residential district inside Oakfield township.
• Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size in the main single-family district (R-R Rural Residential and Agricultural, chapter 5) inside Oakfield 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.