Bolthole Index

Luce County, Michigan

Building permits, zoning and septic in the Village of Newberry, Michigan

The Village of Newberry, Michigan requires a building permit for construction and changes of use or occupancy.1 Village zoning applications go to the Village Zoning Administrator, while septic construction permits come from LMAS District Health Department.23 In Newberry, available public sewer can require connection instead of a private septic system.4

At a glance

Building permits
Required for construction and changes of use or occupancy1
Zoning approval
Village Zoning Administrator receives zoning-permit applications2
Septic permits
LMAS construction permit; Village sewer availability matters34
Public sewer
Connection required within 3 months after required notices when sewer is available4
Owner-builder
Own-use and own-occupancy licensing exemption; building permits still apply51
Private wells
LMAS construction permit generally required, with repair and other exceptions6

Who to call

Planning & zoning

Village of Newberry Manager’s Office

Municipal contact for parcel questions and referral to the Village Zoning Administrator

906-293-3433

302 E. McMillan Ave

Zoning

Village of Newberry Zoning Administrator

Village zoning applications, zoning compliance and enforcement

Building permits

Michigan Bureau of Construction Codes, Building Trades Section

Building-permit questions and identification of the appropriate enforcing agency

517-241-9313

[email protected]

Septic permits

LMAS District Health Department, Newberry Office

Septic construction permits and site evaluations; private-well questions

(906) 293-5107

14150 Hamilton Lake Rd. Newberry, MI 49868

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 12, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Village of Newberry means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in the Village of Newberry, MI?

Newberry requires a building permit to construct a building or structure, and a permit is also required when a structure’s use or occupancy changes.1 Ordinary repairs are exempt only within the stated limits; structural, egress, plumbing, electrical, mechanical and public-health work can fall outside that exemption.1 Construction documents generally accompany the application, although the building official may waive them when the application description establishes code compliance.7 Michigan’s owner-builder licensing exemption covers construction for the owner’s own use and occupancy on the owner’s property; that exemption does not remove Newberry’s building-permit requirement.51

Who handles building-permit and zoning questions in Newberry?

For Newberry building-permit questions, contact Michigan’s Building Trades Section at 517-241-9313 or [email protected] and confirm the enforcing agency before submitting an application.8 Michigan advises applicants to review its Statewide Jurisdiction List because building-code enforcement can be performed by the state, county or local government.8 For Newberry zoning questions, start with the Village Manager’s Office and request the Village Zoning Administrator; the administrator receives and approves or denies zoning-permit applications.92 Septic construction permits remain a separate LMAS District Health Department responsibility.3

Does the Village of Newberry have zoning?

Newberry has a Village Zoning Administrator responsible for zoning-permit applications and inspections for compliance with issued zoning permits.2 The applicant must furnish approvals from all applicable agencies before the administrator may issue a zoning permit.2 Ask the Village Zoning Administrator to identify the parcel’s district and the applicable lot-size, setback and dwelling-size standards before choosing a house plan.2 Luce County’s Rural Zoning Ordinance excludes the Village of Newberry, so the county’s dimensional standards do not establish the answer for a village lot.10 For property outside village limits, use the Luce County guide.10

How do septic permits and sewer connections work in Newberry?

A Newberry property with no available sanitary or combined sewer may use a private wastewater system only with the health approvals required by the Village ordinance.11 LMAS District Health Department requires construction permits for new, modified or replacement septic systems and evaluates the site before installation.312 Newberry requires sewer connection within 3 months after the required notices when sewer is available.4 Availability means a sewer crosses, joins or abuts the property in a public way, easement or right-of-way and passes within 200 feet of the wastewater-generating structure.4 Before budgeting for septic, ask the Village Manager’s Office about sewer availability and the Village connection permit.911

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Newberry?

We could not confirm Newberry’s rules for long-term RV occupancy, temporary camping or tiny-home occupancy; ask the Village Zoning Administrator about the proposed use before buying a lot or moving a unit onto it.2 Luce County’s rural zoning ordinance excludes Newberry, so county camping and dwelling standards do not establish permission inside the village.10 A proposed Newberry structure or change of occupancy still needs the applicable building permit.1 Unapproved privies, septic tanks and other wastewater-disposal facilities are prohibited in Newberry, and available-sewer connection requirements still apply.13

Building a home in Newberry: what are the steps?

  1. Ask the Village Zoning Administrator about the parcel and proposed use, and request the approvals needed for a zoning permit.2
  2. Ask the Village Manager’s Office whether public sewer is available; Newberry requires a written Village permit for public-sewer connections.911
  3. If private wastewater disposal is applicable, contact LMAS for the septic construction permit and site evaluation.1112
  4. Confirm the building-code enforcing agency with Michigan’s Building Trades Section and submit the building-permit application with the required construction documents.87
  5. Arrange construction inspections with the enforcing agency; Michigan requires periodic inspection of construction undertaken under a building permit.14

What should you check before buying land in Newberry?

Ask LMAS about water-supply approval before proposing a private well in Newberry: Luce County’s health code generally requires a construction permit for private wells and extensive changes, with specific repair, state-permit and emergency exceptions.6 The health code also prohibits plumbing pressurized water to a building without an approved on-site sewage system or available sewer.6 Ask the Village Manager’s Office to identify the right contacts for floodplain questions and driveway or street-access work; we could not confirm Newberry-specific floodplain or general driveway-permit requirements.9 Ask the Village Zoning Administrator to confirm parcel-specific dimensional requirements before committing to a site layout.2

Watch-outs

  • Newberry’s available-sewer rule can require connection even when a buyer prefers private septic.4
  • Luce County’s Rural Zoning Ordinance excludes Newberry; county RV and dwelling standards do not establish village permission.10
  • We could not confirm Newberry-specific RV, camping or tiny-home occupancy rules; ask the Village Zoning Administrator before relying on any of those uses.2

Sources

  1. Building Permit Information (Village of Newberry), quoted and re-checked
  2. Village of Newberry Zoning Administrator (ecode360.com)
  3. Sewage Disposal - Public Health | LMAS District, quoted and re-checked
  4. Chapter 305: Sewers and Sewage Treatment; Stormwater - Village of Newberry, MI (Village of Newberry), quoted and re-checked
  5. Frequently Asked Questions – Residential Builder (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  6. Upper Peninsula Environmental Health Code, quoted and re-checked
  7. Building Permit Information (Village of Newberry), quoted and re-checked
  8. Michigan Bureau of Construction Codes, Building Trades Section (michigan.gov)
  9. Village of Newberry Manager’s Office (villageofnewberry.com)
  10. Rural Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  11. Chapter 305: Sewers and Sewage Treatment; Stormwater - Village of Newberry, MI (Village of Newberry), quoted and re-checked
  12. LMAS District Health Department, Newberry Office (lmasdhd.org)
  13. Chapter 305: Sewers and Sewage Treatment; Stormwater - Village of Newberry, MI (Village of Newberry), quoted and re-checked
  14. MCL 125.1512, Inspection of construction (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked

Written October 12, 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 Village of Newberry

Village of Newberry’s own rules

  • Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

    Private wastewater disposal and septic facilities inside Newberry village.

    • The Village ordinance requires permission and approval from the Luce County Health Department and, where appropriate, the Michigan Health Department and/or Department of Natural Resources.
    • Additional requirements imposed by the Michigan Health Department or Luce County Health Department remain applicable.
    “No person shall construct, maintain or use any privy, privy vault, septic tank, cesspool or other facility intended or used for the disposal of wastewater unless such discharge is specifically permitted and approved by the Luce County Health Department and, where appropriate, the Michigan Health Department and/or Department of Natural Resources.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    A private wastewater disposal system serving a premises inside Newberry village where no sanitary or combined sewer is available.

    • The private system must be permitted and approved by the Luce County Health Department and, where appropriate, the Michigan Health Department and/or Department of Natural Resources.
    • The ordinance also requires a written Village permit for connections to public sewers.
    “private wastewater disposal system permitted and approved”
  • Off-grid sanitationProhibited

    Unapproved privies, septic tanks, cesspools, or other wastewater-disposal facilities inside Newberry village.

    • A private wastewater system may be used only when permitted and approved by the Luce County Health Department and, where appropriate, the Michigan Health Department and/or Department of Natural Resources.
    • Available sewer connection requirements also apply.
    “No person shall construct, maintain or use any privy”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    Any structure in Newberry village in which wastewater originates.

    • Connection is required within three months after certified-mail notice of sewer availability and publication of notice if required by Act 368 of 1978.
    • A sewer is available when located in a right-of-way, easement, highway, street, or public way crossing, joining, or abutting the property and passing not more than 200 feet from the wastewater-generating structure.
    • If the structure is not connected within three months, the Village may proceed under PA 1978 No. 368, § 12754 and the Village Code.

    connection deadline: 3 months (after the required notices) · maximum availability distance: <= 200 feet (from the wastewater-generating structure)

    “Any structure in which wastewater originates lying within the Village shall be connected to any available sanitary sewer or combined sewer within three months after 1) written notice is given to the owner by certified mail by the Village of available of a sanitary sewer or combined sewer and 2) publication of notice of availability if the same is then required by Act 368 of the Public Acts of 1978, as amended. For purposes of this subsection, a sanitary sewer or combined sewer shall be considered to be available when it is located in the right-of-way, easement, highway, street or public way which crosses, joins, or abuts upon the property in question and passes not more than 200 feet at the nearest point from a structure in which wastewater originates.”

Rules another office applies inside Village of Newberry

Village of Newberry 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 of a building or structure in Newberry village.

    • A permit is also required when the use or occupancy of a structure or portion thereof is changed.
    • A permit is not required for ordinary repairs, subject to the stated exclusions for structural, egress, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and public-health work.
    • The application must be submitted to the appropriate enforcing agency.
    “shall submit an application in writing to the appropriate enforcing agency for a building permit.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Building construction and occupancy in Newberry village under the Michigan Building Code and Michigan Residential Code.

    • The Michigan Building Code page states that one- and two-family dwellings are presently covered by the Michigan Residential Code.
    “The Michigan Building Code controls all matters concerning the construction”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Building-permit application process applicable to construction in Newberry village.

    • A building-permit application must be submitted to the appropriate enforcing agency.
    • Construction documents are generally required, though the building official may waive them when code compliance can be determined from the application description.
    • Plans may require an architect or professional engineer seal and signature, subject to stated exceptions for one- and two-family dwellings under 3,500 square feet and certain public works.
    “A set of construction documents is required with each application for a permit.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Village of Newberry or Luce County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builders constructing residential structures in Newberry village.
  • Inspections — Building inspections for construction inside Newberry village.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy for buildings in Newberry village.
  • Lot coverage — Lot coverage inside Newberry village.
  • Living in an RV — Long-term recreational-vehicle occupancy on land inside Newberry village.
8 more unanswered
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Septic inspection
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land
  • Driveway access
  • Building in a floodplain

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 Village of Newberry publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Luce County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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