Bolthole Index

Oakland County, Michigan

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Farmington Hills, Michigan

Farmington Hills, Michigan requires a building permit for a new home, and the city reviews construction permits for zoning compliance.12 Inside Farmington Hills, septic permits and inspections remain with Oakland County Health Division.3 We could not confirm residential RV or tiny-home occupancy rules; ask the city Planning Office before relying on either as housing.4

At a glance

Building permits
City building permit required for a new home1
Zoning
City zoning ordinance; construction reviewed for compliance2
Septic permits
Oakland County Health Division issues septic permits and inspects systems3
Owner-builder
Conditional homeowner permits; notarized affidavit for a new home5
Accessory structures
RA-1 accessory buildings: maximum height 14 feet; district-specific setbacks67
Wells
Local health department permit or notification required before drilling under county ordinances8

Who to call

Building permits

Farmington Hills Building Division

City building and trade permits, plan review and inspections

248-871-2450

31555 W. Eleven Mile Road Farmington Hills, MI 48336

Zoning

Farmington Hills Planning Office

City planning and zoning questions

248-871-2540

31555 W. Eleven Mile Road Farmington Hills, MI 48336

Septic permits

Oakland County Health Division, Environmental Health Services

Septic permits and construction and final inspections

Well permits

Oakland County Environmental Health

Environmental health contact for well requirements

248-858-1312

[email protected]

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

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Do you need a building permit in Farmington Hills, MI?

Farmington Hills requires a building permit for a new home.1 The Farmington Hills Building Division reviews construction plans, issues building and trade permits, and inspects new and renovated structures.9 Driveways and poured concrete without footings do not require a building permit under the city’s examples, but right-of-way permits may be required.1 A building-permit exemption does not remove zoning compliance: the city lists patios, playhouses and certain other work as exempt from building permits but still subject to zoning.1

Who is the Farmington Hills building department, and how do you apply?

Contact the Farmington Hills Building Division at 248-871-2450 for building permits and construction inspections.9 Farmington Hills publishes a BS&A Online application process: select the property, enter the work details and applicant information, estimate fees, attach required documents, and submit the application.10 Contractors need a BS&A account linked by the city or a Web Pin.10 The city links a Building Fee Schedule; applicants estimate fees during application and pay the invoice after processing.11 Use the city process for construction inside Farmington Hills rather than treating Oakland County as the building-permit counter.9

Does Farmington Hills have zoning, lot-size rules and setbacks?

Farmington Hills administers its own zoning ordinance and checks construction permits for zoning compliance.2 For detached accessory buildings in RA-1, the city information sheet specifies a rear-property-line setback of 6 feet, separation of 10 feet from the main building and a maximum height of 14 feet.7 Detached accessory structures may not occupy the front yard, exterior side yard, required side-yard setback, easements or rights-of-way.7 These measurements apply to accessory structures in that district, not the principal house.7 We could not confirm the principal-house minimum floor area or residential minimum lot-size schedule; ask the Farmington Hills Planning Office for the parcel’s district requirements.4

How do septic permits work inside Farmington Hills?

Oakland County Health Division issues septic permits and conducts construction and final inspections for onsite systems inside Farmington Hills.3 A new residential system requires a New Onsite Sewage Disposal System Permit Application; qualifying replacement, alteration and repair work requires a repair application.12 The county lists a new residential septic permit on vacant land at $325 and a residential repair permit at $221.13 Required inspections appear on the septic permit; without special inspections, the final before-covering inspection is the required inspection.14 Michigan requires buildings with plumbing fixtures to connect to public sewer where available or an approved private sewage disposal system otherwise.15

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Farmington Hills?

We could not confirm a complete Farmington Hills rule allowing or prohibiting residential RV occupancy, tiny-home occupancy or accessory dwelling units; ask the Farmington Hills Planning Office about the intended use on the specific parcel.4 Farmington Hills zoning review applies to construction permits, so an intended dwelling needs a zoning answer as well as a building-permit answer.2 For a new or altered building subject to Michigan’s construction code, occupancy must wait until the code official issues a Certificate of Occupancy.16 Michigan also requires sanitary sewage to go to a municipal sanitary sewer or onsite septic system; an off-grid plan does not establish permission for another disposal method.17

Building a home in Farmington Hills: what are the steps?

  1. Ask the Farmington Hills Planning Office to check zoning compliance for the proposed construction.2
  2. Resolve sewer or approved onsite sewage disposal; for septic, apply to Oakland County Health Division.153
  3. Submit the city building-permit application with required plans and attachments through the published process.10
  4. If applying as a homeowner, meet the city’s legal-owner, primary-residence and residency conditions; a new-home application needs a signed, notarized Homeowner Affidavit.5
  5. Complete construction inspections and obtain the required Certificate of Occupancy before occupying a new or altered building subject to the state code.1816

What should you check before buying land in Farmington Hills?

For a Farmington Hills land division, all new and remaining parcels must meet zoning requirements for width, area, setbacks, open space, access and density.19 If any part of the parcel or tract is within 200 feet of a public water main, the city’s land-division rule requires extension to, across and through each resulting parcel.20 Driveway paving or repaving in the right-of-way may require a city or county right-of-way permit depending on roadway jurisdiction.21 Before drilling a well, Michigan county ordinances require a local-health-department well permit or notification; ask Oakland County Environmental Health which requirement applies.822 For land outside Farmington Hills, use the Oakland County guide and identify the local zoning authority, because Oakland County does not control municipal or township planning and zoning.23

Watch-outs

  • Farmington Hills homeowner permits have residency and ownership conditions; a new-home permit application also requires a notarized Homeowner Affidavit.5
  • RA-1 accessory-building measurements do not establish setbacks or height limits for the principal dwelling.7
  • We could not confirm Farmington Hills-specific floodplain development standards; ask the city Planning Office before buying a parcel with floodplain concerns.4

Sources

  1. When is a Permit is Required (Farmington Hills), quoted and re-checked
  2. Planning Office (Farmington Hills), quoted and re-checked
  3. Onsite Sewage Disposal System (Septic), quoted and re-checked
  4. Farmington Hills Planning Office (fhgov.com)
  5. When is a Permit is Required (Farmington Hills), quoted and re-checked
  6. Accessory Buildings and Structures Info Sheet (Farmington Hills), quoted and re-checked
  7. Accessory Buildings and Structures Info Sheet (Farmington Hills), quoted and re-checked
  8. Before you start a well drilling business (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. Farmington Hills Building Division (fhgov.com)
  10. Building (Farmington Hills), quoted and re-checked
  11. Building (Farmington Hills), quoted and re-checked
  12. Onsite Sewage Disposal System (Septic), quoted and re-checked
  13. Onsite Sewage Disposal System (Septic) — applications and fees, quoted and re-checked
  14. Onsite Sewage Disposal System (Septic), quoted and re-checked
  15. Michigan Part 7 Plumbing Code Rules (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  16. Certificate of Occupancy Request (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  17. Disposal of residential wastewater such as swimming pool water (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. MCL 125.1512, Inspection of construction (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. Requirements for the division or partitioning of land (Farmington Hills), quoted and re-checked
  20. Requirements for the division or partitioning of land (Farmington Hills), quoted and re-checked
  21. FAQs (Farmington Hills), quoted and re-checked
  22. Oakland County Environmental Health (oaklandcountymi.gov)
  23. Local Community Planning & Zoning, 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 Farmington Hills

Farmington Hills’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    New homes and listed construction work inside Farmington Hills city.

    • The city page lists examples; other exemptions and permit categories may apply.
    • Driveways or poured concrete without footings do not require a building permit, but right-of-way permits may be required.
    • Playhouses, playground equipment, wading pools, patios, flag poles, and basketball backboards are listed as examples not requiring a building permit, subject to zoning compliance.
    “The following are examples of instances when a building permit is required: New home.”
  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    A homeowner seeking to pull a building permit in Farmington Hills city instead of a licensed contractor.

    • The homeowner must be the registered legal homeowner.
    • The home must be the primary residence.
    • The homeowner must reside in the house.
    • For a new home build permit, the city requires a signed and notarized Homeowner Affidavit with each permit application.
    “Please note, a homeowner may only pull permits in lieu of a licensed contractor if they are the registered legal homeowner, the home is the primary residence, and they reside in the house.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Farmington Hills city limits; the city administers its zoning ordinance and reviews construction permits for zoning compliance.

    “Additional staff duties are site plan and landscape plan review, site development inspection, city-wide addressing, review of construction permits for Zoning Ordinance compliance, special landscape projects design and implementation and processing of all rezoning and development requests.”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Detached accessory buildings and structures in RA-1 residential zoning district.

    • Detached accessory buildings may not be in the front yard, exterior side yard, required side yard setback, an easement, or a right-of-way.
    • The cited measurements are for accessory structures, not the principal dwelling.

    rear property line setback: 6 feet · distance from main building: 10 feet · maximum height: 14 feet

    “RA-1 10 ft. 15 ft. 6 ft. 10 ft. 14 ft. 25% 40%”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Detached accessory buildings and structures in RA-1 residential zoning district.

    • Detached accessory buildings may not occupy more than 25% of the required rear yard setback or more than 40% of the rear yard in excess of the rear-yard setback.
    • The cited limits are accessory-structure rear-yard limits, not an overall principal-building lot-coverage ratio.

    maximum coverage of rear yard setback: 25 percent · maximum coverage of rear yard in excess of setback: 40 percent

    “No detached accessory buildings or structures may occupy more than 25% of the required rear yard setback nor more than 40% of the rear yard in excess of the rear yard setback.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Detached accessory buildings and structures in RA-1 residential zoning district.

    • The 14-foot maximum is for accessory buildings and structures under the cited city information sheet, not necessarily the principal dwelling.

    maximum height: 14 feet

    “RA-1 10 ft. 15 ft. 6 ft. 10 ft. 14 ft. 25% 40%”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Camps and temporary lodging places regulated by Farmington Hills city parks rules.

    • Permission of the city manager is required.
    “No person shall establish or maintain any camp or other temporary lodging place except by permission of the city manager.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Land divisions and new development inside Farmington Hills city.

    • If any part of a parcel or tract is within 200 feet of a public water main, the water main must be extended to and across and through each resulting parcel.
    • For county sanitary sewer connections, an Oakland County Department of Public Works connection permit is required before connection.
    • The cited land-division section continues into sanitary-sewer requirements beyond the fetched excerpt.

    public water main distance threshold: <= 200 feet (If any part of the parcel or tract is within this distance.)

    “If any part of the parcel or tract is within two hundred (200) feet of a public water main, the water main must be extended to and across and through each resulting parcel.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Division, partition, or combination of lots and parcels inside Farmington Hills city.

    • Divisions must comply with the State Land Division Act.
    • Every resultant parcel must abut a public street and provide minimum zoning-required lot width unless private streets are approved.
    • New and remaining parcels must meet zoning requirements for width, area, setbacks, open spaces, access, and density.
    • Land within existing or future rights-of-way is excluded from parcel area and width calculations.
    • A parcel may be designated not buildable by recorded affidavit or deed restriction; such parcels may not later seek variance relief and may not be developed with a building or aboveground structure exceeding five feet.
    “No land division shall be permitted unless all new and remaining parcels meet all the minimum requirements of the zoning ordinance, including requirements as to width, area, setbacks, open spaces, access, and density.”
  • Driveway accessLimited

    Driveway paving or repaving involving a portion within the City right-of-way.

    • A City Right-of-Way Permit or County Right-of-Way Permit may be required depending on the roadway jurisdiction.
    • The FAQ addresses paving or repaving in the right-of-way, not every driveway-access circumstance.
    “Yes, if the portion you are working on is in the City’s right-of-way (approach). (Please refer to the “Roadway Jurisdiction Map” to determine if you will need a City Right-of-Way Permit or a County Right-of-Way Permit.)”
  • Permit feesPublished

    Farmington Hills city building-permit applications.

    • Applicants estimate fees in the online permit process and pay the invoice after processing.
    • The official building page links a Building Fee Schedule, but the fetched schedule contents were not reproduced here.
    “Building Fee Schedule [...] Step 4: Estimate fees. Locate the fees needed for the permit and enter the quantity.”
  • Permit processPublished

    Farmington Hills city building-permit applications submitted through BS&A Online.

    • Contractors must register for a BS&A Online Account and be linked by the city or receive a Web Pin.
    • Applicants select a property, enter permit details, provide applicant information, estimate fees, attach required documents, submit the application, and pay the invoice after processing.
    • Homeowners performing their own work must submit a signed and notarized Homeowner Affidavit with required plans.
    “Step 1: Select a property. You can search by address, parcel number or owner’s name.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Certificate of occupancy — New construction, alterations, changes of use, and occupancy inside Farmington Hills city.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Principal single-family dwellings inside Farmington Hills city.
  • Minimum lot size — Principal single-family residential lots inside Farmington Hills city.
  • Living in an RV — Long-term or residential occupancy of recreational vehicles on private land inside Farmington Hills city.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Farmington Hills city.
6 more unanswered
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Building in a floodplain
  • 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 Farmington Hills publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Oakland County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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