Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Big Prairie Township, Michigan

Big Prairie Township’s own rules

• Local zoningPresent

  Land inside Big Prairie Township, Newaygo County, Michigan

  • Township zoning manual adopted February 2009, amended September 2023 per township zoning page; zoning administrator issues zoning compliance permits

  “the zoning administrator shall have the authority to issue zoning compliance permits in accordance with the requirements of this ordinance.”

• Living in an RVLimited

  RV camping on a lot inside Big Prairie Township

  • Camping up to 14 days per calendar year; zoning administrator may permit 14 to 30 days
  • Never more than 30 days per lot per year, and not within the C, LI or PUD districts unless otherwise provided
  • Applies to lots in residential districts and vacant land per section title

  camping limit without permit: <= 14 days per calendar year (permit may extend to 30 days)

  “recreational vehicles and equipment and tents may be used for camping purposes on a lot for a period not exceeding fourteen (14) days during any calendar year.”

• Camping on your landLimited

  Temporary camping with RVs or tents on a lot inside Big Prairie Township

  • Permit from zoning administrator needed for 14 to 30 days; 30 day annual maximum per lot

  camping limit without permit: <= 14 days per calendar year (permit may extend to 30 days)

  “the zoning administrator (or such other official as the township board may designate) may issue a permit to allow camping to occur on a lot for between fourteen (14) and thirty (30) days during any calendar year.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Land divisions and lot splits inside Big Prairie Township

  • Review covers lot area, frontage, depth-to-width ratio (max 4:1), access
  • Must also comply with Michigan Land Division Act

  “the division of a lot into two (2) or more lots or parcels (as well as the alteration of lot lines) shall require the approval of the township board”

• Permit processPartial

  Zoning compliance permit for new uses, buildings and structures inside Big Prairie Township

  • Zoning compliance permit is a zoning approval; building code permits not verified
  • Fees set by township board fee schedule (not located)

  “it shall be unlawful to commence a use, build a building or structure, or change the type of use of land, or change the type of use or type of occupancy of any building,”

Still unanswered

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

• Building permit — Building permits inside Big Prairie Township
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption inside Big Prairie Township
• Building code adopted — Building code inside Big Prairie Township
• Inspections — Building inspections inside Big Prairie Township
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy inside Big Prairie 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.