Bolthole Index

Oakland County, Michigan

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Clawson, Michigan

Clawson, Michigan requires a building permit before home construction; the city’s Community & Economic Development Department handles building permits and inspections.12 Clawson sets its own zoning, while Oakland County Health Division handles onsite septic permits and inspections inside city limits.34 An RV is not a dwelling under Clawson’s zoning ordinance.5

At a glance

Building permits
Required before home construction; apply to the city12
Zoning
City zoning districts and standards apply3
Septic permits
Oakland County Health Division issues onsite septic permits4
RV living
An RV is not a dwelling; no general residential authorization confirmed5
Minimum home size
R-1 minimum usable floor area: 1,248 sq. ft. per unit6
Minimum lot size
R-1: 5,500 sq. ft. and 50 ft. minimum width7
Owner-builder
Own-use residential-builder licensing exemption; building permits still apply8

Who to call

Building permits

Clawson Community & Economic Development Department

City building permits, inspections, planning and zoning

(248) 435-4500 (Ext. 121)

425 N. Main St., Clawson, MI 48017

Online permits →

Septic permits

Oakland County Health Division

Onsite septic permits and inspections through Environmental Health Services

248-858-1280

[email protected]

1200 N Telegraph Bldg. 34 East Pontiac, MI 48341

Online permits →

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 Clawson means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

These are affiliate links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, Bolthole Index earns from qualifying purchases.

Do you need a building permit in Clawson, MI?

Clawson home construction requires a written building-permit application to the enforcing agency before construction begins, subject to applicable code exemptions.1 Michigan also requires a building permit when a structure’s use or occupancy changes; ordinary repairs are exempt only within the stated safety and structural limits.9

Clawson’s Community & Economic Development Department provides building permits and inspections as well as planning and zoning services.2 Ask that department to identify the building and trade applications for your proposed work before hiring contractors or starting demolition.2

Who is the Clawson building department, and how do you reach it?

Clawson’s Community & Economic Development Department is the city counter for building permits, inspections, planning and zoning.2 The former Building & Planning Department was renamed in January 2026.2 Call the city department using the verified contact listed above to discuss your building project and zoning district.2

Septic approval is a separate county responsibility: Oakland County Health Division’s Environmental Health Services issues onsite sewage disposal permits and conducts construction and final inspections, including for systems inside Clawson.4 Send an onsite sewage proposal to the health division rather than treating a city building permit as septic approval.102

Does Clawson have zoning, minimum lot sizes and setbacks?

Clawson has its own zoning districts and an official zoning map; Oakland County’s lack of county-level zoning does not remove Clawson’s municipal standards.311 In the R-1 single-family district, the minimum lot area is 5,500 square feet and minimum lot width is 50 feet.7 R-1 requires at least 1,248 square feet of usable floor area per unit.6

R-1 setbacks are 25 feet in front and 35 feet at the rear, with at least 5 feet on the narrower side and a combined side-yard total of at least 15 feet.12 Ask Clawson’s Community & Economic Development Department to confirm the parcel’s district before applying these R-1 standards to a proposed home.23

How do septic permits work inside Clawson?

Oakland County Health Division handles onsite sewage disposal systems inside Clawson; onsite disposal is the alternative where municipal sewers do not serve a property.4 New residential systems require a new-system application, while applicable replacement, alteration or repair work requires a repair application.10 The permit identifies any special inspections; when none are specified, the required inspection is the final inspection before covering the system.13

County septic applications can be submitted through the Citizen Access Portal after registering an account, or at county offices.14 Clawson’s council may require a private drain connection to a public sewer or drain when necessary for public health, so confirm sewer service before planning an independent sanitation system.15

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

Clawson’s zoning ordinance says a travel trailer, motor home, automobile, tent or other portable building defined as a recreational vehicle cannot be considered a dwelling.5 The ordinance allows the Zoning Board of Appeals to approve qualifying temporary buildings, structures and uses for no more than 6 months, subject to conditions; that provision does not establish general permission to live in an RV.5

We could not confirm an express Clawson tiny-home occupancy rule; ask the Community & Economic Development Department about the proposed dwelling and parcel.2 For a proposed home in R-1, the verified minimum usable floor area is 1,248 square feet per unit, so a small-house plan must address that district standard.6

Building a home in Clawson: what are the steps in order?

  1. Ask Clawson’s Community & Economic Development Department to confirm the zoning district and applicable development standards for the parcel.23
  2. Confirm sewer availability; if an onsite system is needed, apply to Oakland County Health Division for septic approval.410
  3. Submit the building-permit application, scaled plans and site plan to the appropriate enforcing agency before construction.1
  4. Arrange the required construction inspections with the enforcing agency, and any septic inspections with the health division.1613

For a curb cut, Clawson requires an agreement to install the driveway apron within 90 days after completing the cut.17 For land outside city limits, consult the Oakland County guide: local planning and zoning belong to the applicable municipality.11

Watch-outs

  • Clawson’s R-1 dimensions are district-specific; confirm the parcel’s zoning with the Community & Economic Development Department.32
  • Michigan’s own-use owner-builder exception concerns residential-builder licensing and does not remove building-permit, zoning or inspection obligations.8
  • We could not confirm Clawson’s temporary private-land camping or accessory-dwelling rules; ask the Community & Economic Development Department before relying on either use.2

Sources

  1. Stille-DeRossett-Hale Single State Construction Code Act, MCL 125.1510 (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  2. Clawson Community & Economic Development Department (cityofclawson.com)
  3. City of Clawson Zoning Ordinance (Clawson), quoted and re-checked
  4. Onsite Sewage Disposal System (Septic) (Clawson), quoted and re-checked
  5. City of Clawson Zoning Ordinance (Clawson), quoted and re-checked
  6. City of Clawson Zoning Ordinance (Clawson), quoted and re-checked
  7. City of Clawson Zoning Ordinance (Clawson), quoted and re-checked
  8. Frequently Asked Questions – Residential Builder (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. Building Permit Information (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. Onsite Sewage Disposal System (Septic) (Clawson), quoted and re-checked
  11. Local Community Planning & Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  12. City of Clawson Zoning Ordinance (Clawson), quoted and re-checked
  13. Onsite Sewage Disposal System (Septic) (Clawson), quoted and re-checked
  14. Onsite Sewage Disposal System (Septic) — applications and fees, quoted and re-checked
  15. Clawson Charter, Sec. 11.03, Private drains (Clawson), quoted and re-checked
  16. courts.michigan.gov (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  17. Clawson Code, Sec. 66-123, Driveway apron (Clawson), 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 Clawson

Clawson’s own rules

  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    Electrical installation, alteration, or repair by a homeowner in a single-family home and accompanying outbuildings owned and occupied or to be occupied by that homeowner.

    • The exemption is limited to electrical work described in Sec. 34-241(c)(7).
    • It does not establish a general exemption from building, plumbing, mechanical, zoning, inspection, or certificate-of-occupancy requirements.
    “Any installation, alteration, or repair of electrical equipment by a homeowner in a single-family home and accompanying outbuildings owned and occupied or to be occupied by the person performing the installation, alteration, or repair of electrical equipment.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Zoning districts and district standards inside Clawson city limits.

    • The ordinance lists R-1, R-2, RM-1, RM-2, O-1, O-2, B-1, B-2, B-3, CC, CMD, CR, BRD-1, BRD-2, WG, I-1, I-2, VP, and PUD districts.
    • The zoning map is included in the official ordinance and the city separately links a zoning map.
    “For the purpose of this chapter, the City of Clawson is hereby divided into the following zones:”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Use or occupancy of recreational vehicles, trailers, vans, or similar portable vehicles on land inside Clawson city limits.

    • The zoning ordinance states a travel trailer, motor home, automobile, tent, or other portable building defined as a recreational vehicle is not a dwelling.
    • Temporary buildings, structures, and uses may be permitted by the zoning board of appeals for no more than six months if requirements and conditions are met.
    • Mobile homes, mobile or temporary offices, trucks, truck trailers, vans, or other passenger vehicles or trailers may not be used for storage, warehousing, retail sales, service, or offices except with zoning board of appeals approval and conditions.
    • The cited provisions do not establish a general residential RV-occupancy authorization.

    temporary use maximum: 6 months (subject to zoning board of appeals approval and conditions)

    “In no case shall a travel trailer, motor home, automobile, tent or other portable building defined as a recreational vehicle be considered a dwelling.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    Private drains and premises inside Clawson city limits when the city council determines connection to a public sewer or drain is necessary for public health.

    • The city council may require owners and occupants to construct private drains connecting to a public sewer or drain.
    • Oakland County sewer connection permits and county requirements may also apply to connections to county sanitary or combined sewers.
    • The cited municipal provision does not establish a water-connection requirement.
    “Whenever the city council shall deem it necessary for the public health, it may require the owners and occupants of lots and premises to construct private drains therefrom to connect with some public sewer or drain, and thereby to drain such lots and premises; and to keep such private drains in repair and free from obstructions and nuisances;”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision and condominium development inside Clawson city limits.

    • Final preliminary condominium plans require evidence that necessary state and county approvals have been obtained for utilities, water supply, sewage disposal, drainage, wetlands, and roads.
    • The planning commission reviews and may approve, deny, or approve with conditions.
    “The final preliminary plan shall include all the information required in the approved preliminary plan and shall also include any additional information required in the subdivision control ordinance for final approval of a preliminary subdivision plat and evidence that all necessary state and county agency approvals have been obtained with respect to any aspect of the proposed development, including without limitation, utilities, water supply, sewage disposal, drainage, wetlands, and roads.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Curb cuts and driveway access work inside Clawson city limits.

    • A curb-cut permit requires an agreement to install a driveway apron.
    • The apron must be installed within 90 days after completion of the cut.

    driveway apron installation deadline: <= 90 days (after completion of the curb cut)

    “No permit to cut any curb shall be issued by the building official unless the applicant shall agree in such application, as a condition of the issuance of the permit, to install a driveway apron within 90 days after the completion of the cut.”

Rules another office applies inside Clawson

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

  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    R-1 Single-family residential-1 district inside Clawson city limits.

    • The ordinance states to see Section 3.6 for notes to the development standards.
    • The cited standard is for minimum usable floor area per unit.

    minimum usable floor area per unit: >= 1248 sq. ft.

    “Minimum usable floor area per unit: 1,248 sq. ft.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    R-1 Single-family residential-1 district inside Clawson city limits.

    • The ordinance also requires a minimum lot width of 50 feet.

    minimum lot area: >= 5500 sq. ft. · minimum lot width: >= 50 ft.

    “Minimum lot area: 5,500 sq. ft. Minimum lot width: 50 ft.”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    R-1 Single-family residential-1 district inside Clawson city limits.

    • The two side yards must total at least 15 feet.

    front setback: >= 25 ft. · rear setback: >= 35 ft. · least side setback: >= 5 ft. · combined side setbacks: >= 15 ft.

    “Minimum front yard setback: 25 ft. Minimum rear yard setback: 35 ft. Minimum side yard setback: Least one: 5 ft. Total of two: 15 ft.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    R-1 Single-family residential-1 district inside Clawson city limits.

    • The ordinance states the height is measured under the ordinance's applicable measurement provisions.

    maximum building height: 2.0 stories or 25 ft.

    “Maximum building height: 2.0 stories or 25 ft.”
  • Who permits septicCounty

    On-site sewage disposal systems serving land inside Clawson city limits.

    • Oakland County Environmental Health Services issues permits and conducts construction and final inspections.
    • Municipal sewer infrastructure is the alternative where available; on-site sewage disposal is described as the alternative where municipal sewers do not service the area.
    “The Environmental Health Services Unit protects land resources by offering the following services: Issues permits and conducts construction and final inspections for the installation of residential and non residential on-site sewage disposal systems.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    New, replacement, alteration, or repair of applicable on-site sewage disposal systems inside Clawson city limits.

    • A new residential system permit is required for vacant property, property where the structure burned down or was demolished, or extensively remodeled property.
    • A repair permit is required for replacement, alteration, or repair where the existing structure remains intact or remodeling does not increase bedrooms or sewage flows.
    • Commercial replacement permits are not required where sewage flows are greater than 10,000 gallons per day, according to the county page's stated exception.

    commercial sewage-flow exception: < 10000 gallons/day (the county page states a new commercial permit is required unless flows are less than 10,000 gallons/day and a replacement permit is required unless flows are greater than 10,000 gallons/day)

    “A Repair Onsite Sewage Disposal System Permit Application is required for any replacement, alternation, or repair of an existing onsite sewage disposal system.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    On-site sewage disposal systems inside Clawson city limits subject to Oakland County Health Division permitting.

    • Special inspections are required when noted on the permit.
    • If special inspections are not noted, the final before-covering inspection is the only inspection needed.
    “Yes, inspections needed are noted on the permit. If special inspections are not noted, then a final "before covering" inspection is the only one needed.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    On-site sanitation inside Clawson city limits where municipal sewer service does not serve the property.

    • Oakland County states on-site sewage disposal is the only viable alternative in areas not serviced by municipal sewers.
    • Applicable new, replacement, alteration, or repair permits and inspections remain required.
    • The county page does not authorize arbitrary untreated or unpermitted waste disposal.
    “The use of sewers and municipal sewage treatment plants is limited to areas where infrastructure exists. On-site sewage disposal is the only viable alternative in areas not serviced by municipal sewers.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Clawson or Oakland County directly.

  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Clawson city limits.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Clawson city limits.
  • Manufactured homes — Manufactured-home occupancy inside Clawson city limits.
  • Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling units inside Clawson city limits.
  • Agricultural exemption — Agricultural or farm-building exemption inside Clawson city limits.
1 more unanswered
  • 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 Clawson publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Oakland County’s page lists the county offices to call.

← All of Oakland County: county rules, score and offices