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

Yates Township’s own rules

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Yates township limits (Lake County, Michigan): the township's own Zoning Ordinance, Resolution No. 2024-05-R, governs use and dimensional rules in its zoning districts.

  • The ordinance states it is effective May 23, 2024.
  • Section 3.05 says no lot, yard, setback, parking area or other space may be reduced below the minimum required under the ordinance.
  • Use must comply with the district rules, and section 3.13 requires a building permit application to be submitted to the building inspector before a permit is issued.

  “yates township resolution no. 2024-05-r. effective may 23, 2024”

• Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

  Residential dwellings in Yates township. Section 3.14 sets the minimum floor area for dwellings; the RR, RL and RC district sections incorporate it for all residential uses.

  • Applies to one-story single family dwellings, whether seasonal or year-round.
  • Bi-level, tri-level and split-level single family dwellings count as one-story dwellings and combined levels must total at least 1,200 square feet of finished floor space.
  • Section 3.14 also requires every dwelling to be at least 22 feet wide for at least 75 percent of its length.
  • Section 3.06: any dwelling without a full floor above grade level is a basement dwelling and is prohibited (an underground home approved as a special use is excepted).

  minimum floor area, one-story single family dwelling: >= 840 square feet of finished floor space (Bi-level, tri-level and split-level dwellings: combined levels not less than 1,200 square feet of finished floor space)

  “there shall be a minimum floor area of 840 square feet of finished floor space for each one-story single family dwelling, whether a seasonal or year around dwelling.”

• Minimum lot sizeSpecified

  Rural Residential (RR) zoning district in Yates township, residential uses (Article 9, section 9.04 area and dimension regulations).

  • For all other (non-residential) uses in RR the minimum lot area is 64,000 square feet.
  • Section 3.05 and 3.38: lot area excludes private street easements, public right-of-way and bottomlands under a lake, stream or river.
  • Section 3.13: contiguous lots under single ownership are combined into one lot.

  minimum lot area, residential uses: >= 32000 square feet (Non-residential uses in RR: 64,000 square feet) · minimum lot width: >= 150 feet

  “there shall be a lot area of not less than 32,000 square feet for residential uses. for all other uses, there shall be a lot area of not less than 64,000 square feet.”

  One more reviewed finding on this topic

  • Specified — Agricultural 'A' zoning district in Yates township (Article 8, section 8.05 area and dimension regulations).

    “no lot shall be created or utilized that is not at least 2 acres in size. 2. lot width: every lot shall have an average width of at least 200 feet.”

• SetbacksSpecified

  Agricultural 'A' zoning district in Yates township (Article 8, section 8.05).

  • The front yard requirement for the A district was not captured in the opened text.
  • Country clubs, golf courses and private recreational uses must be at least 60 feet from any street easement or right-of-way (section 8.05 a.).

  side yards (two, combined): >= 20 feet each · rear yard: >= 100 feet

  “b. side yard (i.e. side setback): there shall be two side yards of not less than 20 feet each c. rear yard (i.e. rear setback): there shall be a rear yard of at least 100 feet.”

  One more reviewed finding on this topic

  • Specified — Rural Residential (RR) zoning district in Yates township (Article 9, section 9.04).

    “c. rear yard (i.e. rear setback): there shall be a rear yard of at least 60 feet.”

• Building heightSpecified

  Lake Residential (RL) zoning district in Yates township, single-family dwellings (Article 10, section 10.03).

  • The accessory building height limit in section 10.03 was not captured in the opened text.
  • Lake residential district: all setbacks and area rules for RL remain under review.

  principal building height maximum: <= 35 feet (or two and one-half stories, whichever is less)

  “no principal building shall exceed thirty-five (35) feet or two and one-half stories in height, whichever is less.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivisions and site condominium projects in Yates township.

  • Site condominium subdivisions must meet the requirements of the district, including minimum lot size, minimum setbacks and minimum floor area.
  • Site condominium submittals must include information required by the Yates Township subdivision regulations, if in effect.
  • Private roads are permitted but review and approval of private roads requires a special use permit.
  • Clerk and zoning administrator must receive a copy of the recorded master deed; township will not maintain nondedicated portions of private subdivisions.

  “b. all site condominium subdivisions shall meet the requirements of the district in which it is located, including minimum lot size, minimum setbacks and minimum floor area.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder construction in Yates township
• Building code adopted — Building code in Yates township
• Inspections — Building inspection in Yates township
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy in Yates township
• Lot coverage — Lot coverage in Yates township residential districts

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.