Bolthole Index

Kent County, Michigan

Building permits, zoning and septic in Tyrone Township, Michigan

Tyrone Township, Michigan, in Kent County, administers building permits and its own zoning ordinance.12 Township zoning approval must come before a building permit, and new structures requiring a Certificate of Occupancy carry a refundable $500 occupancy fee.34 Kent County Health Department handles septic permits and well permits inside Tyrone Township.56

At a glance

Building permits
Township building office; zoning approval comes first13
Zoning
Township zoning ordinance applies2
Septic permits
Kent County Health Department; obtain approval before a new building served by septic57
Well permits
Required for installation of on-site water-supply wells6
Occupancy fee
$500 refundable fee for new structures requiring a Certificate of Occupancy8
Owner-builder
State licensing exemption for qualifying own-use construction; applicable building permits and inspections still apply9

Who to call

Building permits

Tyrone Township Building Inspector

Tyrone Township Building Inspector

(616) 437-7201

[email protected]

Planning & zoning

Tyrone Township Zoning Application

Tyrone Township Zoning Application

(616) 678-4779

28 E Muskegon St PO Box 275, Kent City, MI 49330

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

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 11, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Tyrone 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 Tyrone Township, Michigan?

Start a Tyrone Township home project with the township Building Inspector, and obtain township zoning approval before a building permit is issued.13 For a new structure requiring a Certificate of Occupancy, Tyrone Township requires a $500 refundable occupancy fee before issuing the building permit.4 The fee is refunded when the certificate is issued, but moving into the building before receiving the certificate forfeits the fee.8 Michigan’s owner-builder licensing exemption applies to qualifying construction for the owner’s own use and occupancy on the owner’s property; the exemption does not remove applicable building permits, inspections or zoning requirements.9

Who handles building permits and zoning in Tyrone Township?

Tyrone Township’s Building Inspector is listed at (616) 437-7201 and [email protected]; the Zoning Administrator is listed at (616) 349-0223 and [email protected].110 Use the zoning contact for parcel-use questions and the building contact for construction questions.110 The township zoning application requires a completed application and approval before issuance of a building permit.3 Building and zoning approval do not replace Kent County Health Department septic and well permits inside Tyrone Township.76

Does Tyrone Township have zoning, and can you live in an RV or tiny home?

Tyrone Township has its own zoning ordinance, and subdivision lots must conform to the requirements of the zone where the plat is located.211 Before buying land for an RV, tiny home or accessory dwelling, ask the Tyrone Township Zoning Administrator to confirm the proposed residential use and the parcel’s district requirements.10 We could not confirm Tyrone Township’s private-land RV occupancy, temporary camping, tiny-home occupancy or accessory-dwelling rules; ask the Zoning Administrator for the applicable ordinance provisions.10 We also could not confirm district-specific minimum lot size, minimum dwelling size or setbacks; request those requirements for the actual parcel.10

How do septic and well permits work inside Tyrone Township?

Kent County Health Department administers septic rules throughout Tyrone Township, and a Health Officer permit is generally required before constructing, repairing, enlarging or relocating a sewage disposal facility.57 A new building served by septic must obtain the sewage-disposal permit before the township construction permit can issue.7 New-construction septic applications need a detailed site plan and floorplans, and on-site water-supply well installation requires a separate well permit.126 Permitted septic components generally must remain uncovered and accessible until final inspection and Health Officer approval.13 Kent County requires MISS Dig utility marking before the site visit.14

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

Follow the approval sequence for a Tyrone Township parcel:

  1. Ask the township Zoning Administrator about the intended use and obtain zoning approval before the building permit.103
  2. For a septic-served new home, obtain the Kent County Health Department sewage-disposal permit before the township construction permit; obtain the well permit for an on-site water supply.76
  3. Coordinate the building application with the township Building Inspector and budget the refundable $500 occupancy fee when a new structure requires a Certificate of Occupancy.14
  4. Arrange construction inspections with the enforcing agency and septic final inspection with the Health Officer.1513
  5. Obtain the required Certificate of Occupancy before moving in to preserve the occupancy-fee refund.8

What should you check before buying land in Tyrone Township?

For an agriculturally zoned Tyrone Township parcel, an agricultural zoning permit is required before constructing any building, structure or storage facility; the site-plan examination fee is $30.4 Do not assume agricultural zoning removes approval requirements.4 For a lot split within a recorded plat, the township process includes a Clerk application, Kent County Health Department information, Planning Commission recommendation and Township Board approval.16 County-road right-of-way work, including driveways, requires a Kent County Road Commission permit.17 Michigan EGLE floodplain review can also apply to river, stream or drain floodplains meeting the state’s drainage-area threshold.18 For land outside Tyrone Township, consult the Kent County guide.2

Watch-outs

  • Tyrone Township’s $500 occupancy fee is forfeited if a building is occupied before its required Certificate of Occupancy is issued.8
  • Off-grid premises in Tyrone Township still need sewage disposal acceptable to the Health Officer; public sewer availability can also trigger a connection requirement.1920
  • We could not confirm an agricultural exemption from Tyrone Township building or zoning requirements; ask the Building Inspector and Zoning Administrator before treating a barn as exempt.110

Sources

  1. Tyrone Township Building Inspector (tyronetownship.org)
  2. Planning Commission Ordinance — Zoning powers (Tyrone Township), quoted and re-checked
  3. Tyrone Township Zoning Application (tyronetownship.org)
  4. State Construction Code; Fee Schedule — Occupancy permit fee (Tyrone Township), quoted and re-checked
  5. Sewage Disposal Regulations for Kent County, MI (Tyrone Township), quoted and re-checked
  6. Septic & Well (Tyrone Township), quoted and re-checked
  7. Sewage Disposal Regulations for Kent County, MI (Tyrone Township), quoted and re-checked
  8. State Construction Code; Fee Schedule — Occupancy permit fee (Tyrone Township), quoted and re-checked
  9. Frequently Asked Questions – Residential Builder (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. Tyrone Township Zoning Administrator (tyronetownship.org)
  11. Planning Commission Ordinance — Zoning powers (Tyrone Township), quoted and re-checked
  12. Septic & Well | Kent County, MI, quoted and re-checked
  13. Sewage Disposal Regulations for Kent County, MI (Tyrone Township), quoted and re-checked
  14. Septic & Well | Kent County, MI, quoted and re-checked
  15. MCL 125.1512, Inspection of construction (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  16. Subdivision Ordinance — Lots (Tyrone Township), quoted and re-checked
  17. Kent County Road Commission (KCRC) (kentcountyroads.net)
  18. Floodplains (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. Sewage Disposal Regulations for Kent County, MI (Tyrone Township), quoted and re-checked
  20. Sewage Disposal Regulations for Kent County, MI (Tyrone Township), 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 Tyrone Township

Tyrone Township’s own rules

  • Building permitLimited

    New structures inside Tyrone Township for which a Certificate of Occupancy is required, and buildings or structures on agriculturally zoned parcels.

    • A $500 refundable occupancy permit fee is required before issuance of a building permit for a new structure requiring a Certificate of Occupancy.
    • An agricultural zoning permit is required before construction of any building, structure, or storage facility on an agriculturally zoned parcel.

    occupancy permit fee: 500 USD (Refunded when the Certificate of Occupancy is issued, except forfeited if the building is occupied before receiving the Certificate of Occupancy.) · agricultural site review fee: 30 USD (For examining the site plan.)

    “A refundable occupancy permit fee of $500.00 shall be paid to the Township prior to the issuance of a building permit for any new structure for which a Certificate of Occupancy is required upon completion.”
  • Certificate of occupancyLimited

    New structures inside Tyrone Township for which a Certificate of Occupancy is required upon completion.

    • The cited ordinance does not establish that every structure requires a Certificate of Occupancy.
    • Occupancy before issuance forfeits the refundable fee.

    occupancy permit fee: 500 USD (Refunded when Certificate of Occupancy is issued; forfeited if building is occupied before receiving it)

    “A refundable occupancy permit fee of $500.00 shall be paid to the Township prior to the issuance of a building permit for any new structure for which a Certificate of Occupancy is required upon completion.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Tyrone Township's limits; the township has an existing zoning ordinance administered through township zoning powers.

    • The Planning Commission Ordinance states that any existing zoning ordinance remains in force unless amended or repealed by the township board.
    “Any existing zoning ordinance shall remain in full force and effect except as otherwise amended or repealed by the township board.”
  • Zoning districtsPartial

    Tyrone Township zoning administration and zoning districts.

    • The fetched code confirms an existing zoning ordinance and zoning powers but did not include the separate zoning-volume district map or complete district schedule.
    • The subdivision ordinance requires lots to conform to the zoning ordinance for the zone in which the plat is located.
    “All lots shall conform to the requirements of the zoning ordinance for the zone in which the plat is located.”
  • Who permits septicCounty

    On-site sewage disposal inside Tyrone Township; Kent County Health Department rules apply within Kent County, including Tyrone Township.

    • The county Health Officer issues or withholds permits for sewage disposal facilities subject to the Health Officer's jurisdiction.
    “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.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision, platting, and lot-split activity inside Tyrone Township.

    • Lots must conform to the zoning ordinance.
    • Preliminary plats must include utility, septic, floodplain, access, setback, and related information.
    • Lot splits in recorded plats require Township Clerk application, Kent County Health Department information, Planning Commission recommendation, and Township Board approval.
    “The Township Clerk shall transmit the application and report from the Kent County Health Department to the Planning Commission, which shall make a recommendation to the Township Board. [...] Upon receiving the recommendation of the Planning Commission, the Township Board shall either approve or reject the application.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Lots created through subdivision inside Tyrone Township.

    • Each lot must have direct access to a public or private street.
    • Subdivision applications must identify streets, rights-of-way, service drives, curb cuts, access easements, and nearby driveways.
    • Corner lots have additional frontage and width requirements.
    “All lots shall face upon, and have direct access to, a public or private street.”
  • Building in a floodplainLimited

    Subdivision preliminary plats inside Tyrone Township when any part of the subdivision lies within or abuts a floodplain.

    • The floodplain established by the state department of natural resources must be shown within a contour line.
    • The contour line must intersect lot sidelines.
    • Sidelines must be dimensioned to the traverse line from the street line and established floodplain contour line.
    • The floodplain area must be clearly labeled on the plat with the words "floodplain area."
    “When any part of the subdivision lies within or abuts a floodplain area: a. The floodplain, as established by the state department of natural resources, shall be shown within a contour line. [...] d. The floodplain area shall be clearly labeled on the plat with the words "floodplain area."”
  • Permit processPartial

    Subdivision and lot-split approval processes inside Tyrone Township.

    • Preliminary plats require specified maps, legal descriptions, ownership information, utilities, septic suitability if not served by public sewer and water, lot dimensions, setback lines, floodplain information, access, drainage, and zoning/use information.
    • Recorded-plat lot splits require Township Clerk filing, Kent County Health Department statement, Planning Commission recommendation, and Township Board action.
    “The following information shall be submitted for tentative approval of the preliminary plat. Maps shall be at a scale of not more than 100 feet to one inch.”

Rules another office applies inside Tyrone Township

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

  • Septic permitRequired

    Construction, repair, enlargement, or relocation of a sewage disposal facility serving premises inside Tyrone Township.

    • No Health Officer permit is required when all sewage discharges directly into a public sewer through enclosed piping or conduits.
    • Other exceptions apply for facilities under state or federal jurisdiction without delegated county authority, or minor work deemed permit-unnecessary by the Health Officer.
    • A township construction permit for a new building served by a sewage disposal facility may not issue until the sewage-disposal 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 sewage disposal facilities inside Tyrone Township before final approval or cover.

    • All work authorized by a Health Officer permit is subject to final inspection before approval.
    • A facility or component may not receive final cover or become inaccessible until final inspection and Health Officer approval.
    • The Health Officer may waive final inspection if adequacy can be verified by other means.
    “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.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    On-site sanitation serving premises inside Tyrone Township.

    • On-site sewage disposal requires a Health Officer permit unless all sewage is discharged directly into a public sewer or another listed exception applies.
    • Final inspection and Health Officer approval are required before permitted facilities may be used.
    “Every premise not served by a public sewer must be served by a sewage disposal facility acceptable to the Health Officer.”
  • Well permitRequired

    Installation of on-site residential, non-residential, test, irrigation, or geothermal water-supply wells inside Tyrone Township.

    • The county page identifies a required permit for installation of on-site water-supply well systems.
    • Type II public-supply wells have separate application requirements.
    “Required permit for installation of on-site water supply (well) systems.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Existing premises inside Tyrone Township where public sewer becomes available.

    • Existing premises may be required to connect by order of the local township when public sewers become available.
    • The Health Department may also require connection when continued on-site sewage disposal would create a public-health hazard or nuisance.
    • The source establishes a sewer-availability rule, not a universal water-connection requirement.
    “Existing premises may be required to connect to public sewers by order of the local city, village or township, upon such public sewers becoming available. Existing premises may also be required to connect to available public sewer by the Health Department when continued use of onsite sewage disposal facilities would constitute a hazard to public health and safety or would result in the creation of a nuisance.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemptions from building permits or inspections inside Tyrone Township.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in Tyrone Township residential or agricultural districts.
  • Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size in Tyrone Township residential or agricultural districts.
  • Setbacks — Building setbacks in Tyrone Township residential or agricultural districts.
  • Lot coverage — Lot coverage in Tyrone Township districts.
8 more unanswered
  • Building height
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Agricultural exemption
  • 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 Tyrone 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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