Mackinac County, Michigan
Mackinac Island is a city in Mackinac County, Michigan. Mackinac Island adopts its own zoning, so inside its limits Mackinac Island’s rules apply, not the county’s. 16 rules below are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked, most recently on November 12, 2026. Rules for unincorporated land are on the Mackinac County page.
Construction requiring a permit under the city construction code inside Mackinac Island city
“No building permit required under the city construction code (Ord. No. 210) shall be issued until first, the applicant obtains a zoning permit from the zoning administrator”
Construction inside Mackinac Island city
“All design, construction and materials must satisfy appropriate State of Michigan construction codes adopted by the City of Mackinac Island.”
Land inside Mackinac Island city
“No building permit required under the city construction code (Ord. No. 210) shall be issued until first, the applicant obtains a zoning permit from the zoning administrator”
R-1 Low Density Residential district, Mackinac Island city
minimum lot area: >= 15000 square feet · minimum width at building line: >= 100 feet
“the lot size for this district shall not be less than 15,000 square feet, nor less than 100 feet wide at the building line.”
“The lot size for this district shall not be less than 5,000 square feet, nor less than 50 feet wide at the building line.”
“the lot size in this district shall not be less than one acre.”
R-1 Low Density Residential district, Mackinac Island city
front yard: >= 25 feet (or in line with adjacent residences) · side yard: 5 feet on one side and 10 feet on the other · rear yard: >= 25 feet
“1. front yard. minimum 25 feet or in line with the adjacent residences.* 2. side yard. minimum five feet on one side and ten feet on the other. 3. rear yard. minimum 25 feet.”
“1. front yard. twenty-five feet minimum. 2. side yards. fifteen feet minimum. 3. rear yard. twenty-five feet minimum.”
CD Cottage district, Mackinac Island city
maximum lot coverage: <= 30 percent
“the maximum permitted lot coverage by impermeable surfaces shall be 30 percent.”
“the maximum permitted lot coverage by impervious surfaces (such as roofs, cement and asphalt areas, etc.) shall be 35 percent.”
CD Cottage district primary dwellings, Mackinac Island city
minimum height: 24 feet and two stories · maximum height: 40 feet and three stories
“no primary dwelling building shall be less than 24 feet and two stories nor higher than 40 feet and three stories, in height.”
“no principal building shall be less than 12 feet in height, nor shall any building exceed 35 feet, or 2½ stories, in height.”
Storage of or residence in recreational vehicles anywhere in Mackinac Island city
“the storage of, or residence within, a recreational vehicle is prohibited within the city.”
Overnight camping on any land in Mackinac Island city
“no person shall camp overnight on any land in the city. the term "camping" shall mean and include the use of temporary buildings or tents or other structures as living quarters for persons.”
Residential accessory buildings under 100 square feet inside Mackinac Island city (zoning permit only)
size threshold: < 100 square feet
“an accessory building or structure of less than 100 square feet or area shall not require a zoning permit provided that said building or structure meets all yard requirements for accessory buildings.”
Subdivision of condominium units inside Mackinac Island city
“Any subdivision of an individual condominium unit shall conform to the requirements of this ordinance for minimum lot width, lot area and building setback requirements.”
We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Mackinac Island or Mackinac County directly.
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 Mackinac Island publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Mackinac County’s page lists the county offices to call.
Off-grid gear
Going off-grid in Mackinac Island means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:
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