Bolthole Index

Livingston County, Michigan

Building permits, zoning and septic in Conway Township, Michigan

Conway Township, Michigan requires a building permit before construction, with township land use approval and Livingston County building review.12 Conway Township administers zoning in Livingston County, while Livingston County Environmental Health handles septic systems and well permit applications.345

At a glance

Building permits
Required before construction; Livingston County building process12
Zoning
Township zoning and land use approval32
Septic
County soil evaluation approval, then septic permit before installation6
Wells
County Environmental Health permits or waivers where applicable5
Minimum home size
District minimum floor space applies; garage space does not count7
Owner-builder
Own-use licensing exemption does not remove building permit or zoning requirements8
Occupancy
Certificate of use and occupancy required before moving in9

Who to call

Zoning

Conway Township Zoning Administration

Township zoning and land use approval

517-223-0358

[email protected]

8015 N. Fowlerville Road

Building permits

Livingston County Building Department (LCBD)

Building permits and inspections for most of Livingston County under the State Building Code

(517) 546-3240

2300 E Grand River Ave, Howell, MI 48843

Septic permits

Livingston County Health Department — Environmental Health Division

Septic (on-site sewage) permits, soil evaluations and inspections for Livingston County under the Livingston County Sanitary Code

(517) 546-9858

2300 E Grand River Ave Suite 102, Howell, MI 48843

Roads & driveways

Livingston County Road Commission — Permit Office

Driveway approach, road approach and right-of-way permit applications and fees

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 Conway 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 Conway Township, MI?

Conway Township construction requires a building permit application to the appropriate enforcing agency before work begins; changing a building’s use or occupancy also requires a building permit.1 Livingston County’s residential building process applies inside Conway Township, alongside township land use approval.2 Ordinary repairs may be exempt, but the exemption does not cover structural, egress, plumbing, electrical, mechanical or other work affecting public health or general safety.1 Michigan’s owner-builder licensing exemption covers qualifying construction for the owner’s own use and occupancy on the owner’s property; building permits, inspections and zoning requirements still apply.8

Who handles building permits and zoning in Conway Township?

Conway Township Zoning Administration is the starting point for township land use approval and zoning questions; Livingston County Building Department handles the residential building application process.32 The township land use form requires township-stamped blueprints before submission to the county building department.10 A township land use permit does not waive building, driveway or health permits.10 Livingston County publishes building fees and requires payment when submitting the building permit application; plan review fees are nonrefundable unless the application is withdrawn before review.11 Ask the building department for the fees applicable to the complete project.11

Does Conway Township have zoning, and what about tiny homes?

Conway Township administers its own zoning ordinance, so county building review does not replace township zoning approval.32 In Conway Township’s Agricultural Residential and Residential districts, each dwelling must meet the minimum floor-space requirement of its district, and attached or detached garage space does not count toward dwelling area.7 Conway Township dwellings must also comply with construction, fire, health and safety codes enforced by county building and health departments and Michigan.12 We could not confirm a tiny-home-specific occupancy rule, the numerical district floor-space minimums, or the main residential lot-size and setback schedules; ask Conway Township Zoning Administration about the parcel’s district and proposed dwelling.37

How do septic permits and wells work in Conway Township?

Conway Township septic systems require an approved soil evaluation before applying for a septic permit, and the permit must be obtained before installation.6 Livingston County Environmental Health administers the sanitary code and inspects septic installation inside Conway Township.413 Changes from the original septic plans must be approved before excavation or construction begins.14 Private well permit applications go through Livingston County Environmental Health, and the residential building application requires well and septic permits or waivers where applicable.5 Going off grid does not eliminate sewage disposal requirements: Michigan requires household sanitary sewage to go to municipal sewer or an onsite septic system.15

Can you live in an RV on land in Conway Township?

We could not confirm whether Conway Township allows living in an RV on private land or temporary camping while a home is being built; ask Conway Township Zoning Administration about the proposed use before relying on an RV as accommodation.3 A township zoning answer and a county building approval serve different purposes: Conway Township controls land use, while the residential building process requires township approval before the county application proceeds.32 A completed home cannot be occupied until a certificate of use and occupancy has been issued, with required inspections, applicable township zoning compliance and final well or septic approval completed.9

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

Follow the residential building sequence for Conway Township projects.2

  1. Obtain a driveway permit through Livingston County Road Commission.16
  2. Obtain Conway Township land use approval, the approved site plan and township-stamped plans where applicable.2
  3. Acquire an address through the county GIS office where applicable.2
  4. Submit the county building application with ownership proof, project information, plans, applicable soil erosion permits or waivers, septic and well permits or waivers, and identification or builder licensing information.2

Livingston County schedules required building inspections, and occupancy requires the final certificate rather than just a building permit.179 For land outside Conway Township, consult the Livingston County guide and the applicable local zoning administrator because local requirements vary.18

Watch-outs

  • Conway Township district minimum dwelling area excludes garage space; ask the zoning administrator for the applicable numerical requirement.7
  • We could not confirm RV occupancy, temporary camping or accessory dwelling allowances in Conway Township; ask Township Zoning Administration before buying for those uses.3
  • Septic soil evaluation approval comes before the septic permit application, not after installation.6

Sources

  1. Building Permit Information (Conway Township), quoted and re-checked
  2. Residential Building Permits - Livingston County, MI (Conway Township), quoted and re-checked
  3. Conway Township - Zoning Administration (Conway Township), quoted and re-checked
  4. Septic Services - Livingston County, MI (Conway Township), quoted and re-checked
  5. Residential Building Permits - Livingston County, MI (Conway Township), quoted and re-checked
  6. Septic Services - Livingston County, MI (Conway Township), quoted and re-checked
  7. Code of Ordinances: Sec. 34-467. Supplemental regulations—Residential dwelling units in the agricultural residential and residential districts (Conway Township), quoted and re-checked
  8. Frequently Asked Questions – Residential Builder (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. Certificate of Occupancy - Livingston County, MI (Conway Township), quoted and re-checked
  10. Conway Township Zoning Administration (conwaymi.gov)
  11. Fees - Livingston County, MI (Conway Township), quoted and re-checked
  12. Code of Ordinances: Sec. 34-467. Supplemental regulations—Residential dwelling units in the agricultural residential and residential districts (Conway Township), quoted and re-checked
  13. Septic Services - Livingston County, MI (Conway Township), quoted and re-checked
  14. Septic Permits - Livingston County, MI, quoted and re-checked
  15. Disposal of residential wastewater such as swimming pool water (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  16. Residential Building Permits - Livingston County, MI (Conway Township), quoted and re-checked
  17. Building Department Directory - Livingston County, MI (Conway Township), quoted and re-checked
  18. Residential Building Permits, 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 Conway Township

Conway Township’s own rules

  • Building code adoptedPartial

    Dwelling units inside Conway Township.

    • The township ordinance requires compliance with construction, fire, health, and safety codes enforced by Livingston County building and health departments and the State of Michigan.
    • This is an incorporation/enforcement rule, not evidence that Conway Township independently adopted a separate building code.
    “All dwelling units in the township shall be constructed according to the construction, fire, health and safety codes enforced by the county building and health departments, and the state.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Conway Township land; the township administers its own zoning ordinance.

    • Zoning questions are handled by the township zoning administrator.
    • The township page links the Conway Township Zoning Ordinance and zoning applications.
    “Zoning Administrator - Russ Cesarz [...] If you have any zoning related questions please contact our Zoning Administrator [...] Conway Township Zoning Ordinance”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Dwelling units in Conway Township's Agricultural Residential and Residential districts; the applicable district minimum floor-space requirement must be consulted.

    • The ordinance requires each dwelling unit to conform to the minimum floor-space requirement of its district.
    • Garage space, whether attached or detached, does not count toward the required dwelling area.
    • The numerical district schedule was not among the opened sections.
    “The size of each dwelling unit shall conform to the minimum floor space requirement of the district in which it is located. Garage space whether in an attached or detached garage shall not be considered as part of a dwelling for meeting area requirements.”

Rules another office applies inside Conway Township

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

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction, or a change in use or occupancy, of a building or structure inside Conway Township.

    • Applications go to the appropriate enforcing agency.
    • Ordinary repairs may be made without a permit, but not structural, egress, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, or other work affecting public health or general safety.
    • Construction documents may be waived by the building official when code compliance can be determined from the application description.
    “Before construction of a building or structure, an owner, or the owner's builder, architect, engineer, or agent, shall submit an application in writing to the appropriate enforcing agency for a building permit. A permit is also required when the use or occupancy of a structure or portion thereof is changed.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Building projects inside Conway Township handled through the Livingston County Building Department.

    • Inspections are scheduled through the county's inspection system.
    • The county page lists building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical inspectors.
    “All required inspections are done and approved.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Use or occupancy of structures inside Conway Township subject to the Livingston County building-enforcement process.

    • All required inspections must be approved.
    • Township zoning compliance, if required, must be approved and submitted.
    • Final county Environmental Health approval is required for a well and septic system, or both, where applicable.
    • Outstanding fees must be paid.
    “A building or structure hereafter constructed shall not be used or occupied in whole or in part until a certificate of use and occupancy had been issued by the appropriate enforcing agency.”
  • Who permits septicCounty

    On-site sewage systems inside Conway Township.

    • Systems are governed by the Livingston County Sanitary Code.
    • Livingston County Environmental Health conducts installation inspections.
    “Septic systems must be permitted and installed according to the Livingston County Sanitary Code. During the installation process, an Environmental Health Specialist will conduct inspections.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Installation of any septic system inside Conway Township.

    • A soil evaluation must be completed and approved before applying for a septic permit.
    • The permit must be obtained before installation.
    “A soil evaluation must be completed and approved before you can apply for a septic permit. [...] A septic permit must be obtained prior to installing any septic system.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Installation of septic systems inside Conway Township.

    • A Livingston County Environmental Health Specialist conducts inspections during installation.
    • The county also investigates complaints of failing septic systems.
    “During the installation process, an Environmental Health Specialist will conduct inspections. Environmental Health Specialists also investigate all complaints of failing septic systems.”
  • Well permitRequired

    Private water-supply wells associated with building projects inside Conway Township.

    • Well permit applications are handled by Livingston County Environmental Health.
    • The county residential permit sequence requires septic and well permits or waivers where applicable.
    “Septic & Well Permit(s) or Waivers [...] Obtained from the Livingston County Environmental Health Department”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Residential building projects inside Conway Township.

    • A driveway permit must be obtained through the Livingston County Road Commission before the residential permit sequence proceeds.
    “Follow These Steps In Order: [...] 1. Obtain a Driveway Permit [...] Apply for a driveway permit through the Livingston County Road Commission.”
  • Permit feesPublished

    Livingston County building permits used for projects inside Conway Township.

    • Fees are due when submitting a Building Permit Application.
    • Plan review fees are non-refundable unless the application is withdrawn before plan review.

    new residential building permit: per 150 USD per unit (attached and detached condominiums included) · addition permit: 150 USD · remodel or finished basement: 100 USD · deck: 150 USD · pole barn: 75 USD · storage building including garages: 75 USD · modular home: 100 USD · mobile home in park or on acreage: 100 USD

    “New Residential (Incl. Attached/Detached Condos) [...] $ 150.00 each unit [...] Addition [...] $150.00 [...] Remodel & Finished Basement [...] $100.00 [...] Deck [...] $150.00 [...] Pole Barn [...] $75.00 [...] Storage Building (Includes Garages) [...] $75.00 [...] Modular Home [...] $100.00 [...] Mobile Home (In Park/On Acreage) [...] $100.00”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Residential building-permit process for projects inside Conway Township.

    • Obtain a driveway permit through the Livingston County Road Commission.
    • Obtain township land use approval, approved site plan, township-stamped plans if applicable, tax code number, and lot and section numbers.
    • Acquire an address from GIS where applicable.
    • Submit the building application, ownership proof, project information, plans, soil-erosion permits or waivers, septic and well permits or waivers, and identification/builders license information as applicable.
    “Residential Permit Sequence [...] Follow These Steps In Order: [...] 1. Obtain a Driveway Permit [...] 2. Obtain Land Use From the Township [...] 3. Acquire an Address From the Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Office”

Still unanswered

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

  • Minimum lot size — Single-family residential and agricultural-residential lots inside Conway Township.
  • Setbacks — Single-family residential and agricultural-residential lots inside Conway Township.
  • Lot coverage — Residential and agricultural-residential lots inside Conway Township.
  • Building height — Residential and agricultural-residential buildings inside Conway Township.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Conway Township.
4 more unanswered
  • Tiny 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 Conway Township publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Livingston County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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