Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Glen Arbor Township, Michigan

Glen Arbor Township’s own rules

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Glen Arbor Township limits (not the county unincorporated area)

  • The township adopted its own zoning ordinance (Version 5.1, dated November 13, 2025) under Michigan Act 184 of 1943, administered by the township Planning and Zoning department.
  • The planning page notes the township is transitioning to a new zoning administrator and directs inquiries to the township contact.
  • Zoning ordinance versions listed on the township site include 4.9, 5.0 and 5.1; the township page's own 'current' label conflicts with 5.1, so confirm the current version with the township.

  “an ordinance to establish land use and building occupancy districts in the township of glen arbor, county of leelanau, in accordance with the provisions of act 184 of the public acts of 1943, as amended”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Land inside Glen Arbor Township limits: Residential I through VI, Resort Recreational, Business and Agricultural & Residential districts as named in the township ordinance table

  • The district table in ordinance section VII.1 is published, but the opened text did not align its columns, so per-district numeric limits are not stated in this record (see unknown dimensional claims).
  • The Zoning Map is linked from the township planning page as a separate PDF, which was not opened.

  “general land use requirements by district requirement residential i residential ii residential iii residential iv residential v multiple family residential vi resort recreational”

• Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

  Any dwelling that qualifies as a 'residence' under the Glen Arbor Township zoning ordinance definitions, in any district where residences are permitted

  • This is a definitional minimum in the ordinance's definitions section, not a district-by-district dimensional limit; the district table was not resolved for this topic.
  • The definition also requires a bedroom, full bath, kitchen/dining area and living room.
  • Structures below this minimum do not meet the ordinance's 'residence' definition; the opened text does not state their separate use status.

  minimum floor area: >= 480 sq ft · minimum core dimension: >= 20 by 20 feet (400 sq ft core area)

  “residence: a dwelling that is designed and built for human occupancy. the dwelling must have a minimum of 480 sq. ft. and a minimum core dimension of 20 feet by 20 feet (400 sq. ft.)”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Land divisions and property line adjustments inside Glen Arbor Township

  • The planning page lists a township land division application and fee schedule; the state Land Division Act was not opened.
  • Section XI conservation/clustered housing rules apply to clustered development and were not analysed here.

  first division fee: 300 USD · each additional division fee: 75 USD (per division)

  “land division first division fee – $300.00 each additional division fee – $75.00 ea.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Township land division and related zoning applications in Glen Arbor Township

  • The planning page links a printable list of permit fees, which was not opened; the land division fee shown is the only fee text read.
  • Other zoning fees named on the page (zoning board of appeals fee $500, zoning review $50 per parcel) were seen in the page text but not quoted as evidence.

  land division first division fee: 300 USD

  “land division first division fee – $300.00 each additional division fee – $75.00 ea.”

• Permit processPartial

  Land use permit process for new construction in Glen Arbor Township

  • The land use permit requirements list is published, but the planning page says the township is transitioning zoning administrators and to direct inquiries to the township contact.
  • Applications must be electronic only and include construction documents and a site plan; do not apply until other permits are obtained.

  “do not apply for a land use permit until other required permits have been obtained.”

Rules another office applies inside Glen Arbor Township

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

• Driveway accessRequired

  Driveway connections to county roads serving new construction in Glen Arbor Township

  • The township permit list says a driveway permit is issued by the Leelanau County Road Commission; it does not address driveways onto state trunklines or private roads.
  • Soil erosion permit may also apply for driveways with slope of 10% or greater.

  “driveway permit – leelanau county road commission – 231-271-3993”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder construction of a home inside Glen Arbor Township
• Building code adopted — Building code used for new construction inside Glen Arbor Township
• Inspections — Building inspections for new homes inside Glen Arbor Township
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for new homes inside Glen Arbor Township
• Minimum lot size — Main single-family residential districts (Residential I through IV) and Agricultural & Residential district inside Glen Arbor 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.