Bolthole Index

Oakland County, Michigan

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Holly Township, Michigan

Holly Township, Michigan requires building permits for residential construction and enforces the state construction code.12 Holly Township sets local zoning in Oakland County, while Oakland County Health Division issues septic permits and inspects onsite systems.34 RV living is restricted to occasional visitor use lasting no more than 2 continuous weeks.5

At a glance

Building permits
Required; township enforces the state construction code12
Zoning
Holly Township zoning applies3
Septic permits
Oakland County Health Division4
RV occupancy
Occasional visitors only, up to 2 continuous weeks5
Accessory buildings
Building permit required above 200 square feet6
Owner-builder
Own-use licensing exemption does not waive building permits7
Wells
Ask Environmental Health about the local permit or notification requirement8

Who to call

Building permits

Holly Township Building Department

Township enforcement of the Michigan construction code and building-code appeals

(248) 634-9331 Ext. 301

[email protected]

102 Civic Drive, Holly, MI 48442

Building permits

Holly Township Building Permit Applications

Submission of building permit applications

2486349331

[email protected]

102 Civic Drive, Holly, MI 48442

Zoning

Holly Township Planning & Zoning

Contact for township zoning and parcel-specific district questions

(248) 634-9331

[email protected]

102 Civic Drive, Holly, MI 48442

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

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Do you need a building permit in Holly Township, MI?

Holly Township residential construction requires a building permit under Michigan’s statewide permit rule, and the township enforces the state construction code.12 Holly Township also expressly requires a building permit for construction or placement of accessory buildings larger than 200 square feet, with a detailed site sketch showing zoning compliance.6 Michigan’s own-use owner-builder exemption concerns residential-builder licensing; the exemption does not remove building-permit, inspection or zoning obligations.7 Ask the Building Department for the application requirements for your particular house or outbuilding.

Who handles Holly Township building permits and zoning approval?

Holly Township’s Building Department is the local contact for construction-code enforcement.2 The township’s building page directs applicants to email permit applications to [email protected].9 For parcel zoning questions, contact Holly Township Planning & Zoning through the township office.10 Oakland County does not control local planning or zoning in townships, so county-level absence of zoning does not make Holly Township land unrestricted.113 Septic permits remain with Oakland County Health Division rather than the township building or zoning office.4

Does Holly Township have zoning, and what setbacks apply?

Holly Township has local zoning, including R-1 and R-2 districts intended primarily for single-family residential uses and compatible accessory uses.3 Ask Planning & Zoning to identify the parcel’s district and provide its lot-area, frontage, setback and coverage schedule before choosing a house location. We could not confirm the general residential dimensional schedule or minimum dwelling size; ask Holly Township Planning & Zoning for those requirements. Holly Township’s farming provision allows accessory-building size flexibility for legitimate farming operations but retains yard requirements and does not establish a general permit exemption.12

How do septic permits work inside Holly Township?

Oakland County Health Division issues septic permits and conducts construction and final inspections for onsite sewage disposal systems serving Holly Township.4 A new residential onsite system needs a new-system application; replacement, alteration or repair of an existing system needs a repair application under the stated residential conditions.13 Required inspections appear on the septic permit; absent special inspections, the county requires a final inspection before covering the system.14 Oakland County’s soil data rate only 9.8% of soils as not limited for conventional drain fields; that countywide figure supports getting a site evaluation, not assuming septic is impossible on a Holly Township lot.15

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Holly Township?

Holly Township prohibits using an RV for living, sleeping or housekeeping except occasional visitor occupancy of no more than 2 continuous weeks.5 Parking or storing an RV on vacant land requires zoning-administrator approval during construction of a single-family dwelling; that storage exception does not authorize residential occupancy.5 Outside RV storage generally belongs in a side or rear yard at least 5 feet from the lot line, with a conditional front-yard exception.5 We could not confirm a specific tiny-home or accessory-dwelling occupancy rule; ask Holly Township Planning & Zoning about the proposed dwelling type before buying.

Building a home in Holly Township: what should you do first?

Start by asking Holly Township Planning & Zoning to confirm the parcel’s district and permitted residential use.3 Arrange the septic application with Oakland County Health Division for a proposed new onsite system.13 Ask Environmental Health whether the private well needs a permit or notification before drilling under the applicable county ordinance.8 For projects requiring township site-plan development review, Planning Commission and final-plan approval precede engineering review, a pre-construction meeting and building-permit application; construction must wait for all required permits.16 Ask the Building Department which review steps apply to an individual house, rather than assuming the full development process applies.

What should you check before buying Holly Township land?

Ask Holly Township Planning & Zoning for written answers about the intended house, accessory buildings and temporary accommodation. The township’s zoning fee resolution allows review escrow in addition to administrative fees and withholds application processing, inspections and permit issuance until required escrow is deposited.17 For a driveway onto a state trunkline highway, Michigan requires an MDOT driveway permit.18 Ask the township and EGLE about floodplain review before selecting a building footprint; Michigan regulates qualifying river and stream floodplains.19 For land outside Holly Township, consult the Oakland County guide and identify the responsible local zoning office.20

Watch-outs

  • Holly Township approval to park an RV on vacant land during home construction does not override the limit on RV living, sleeping or housekeeping.5
  • Holly Township development-review escrow can delay application processing and permit issuance until deposited.17
  • Michigan requires residential sanitary sewage to go to a municipal sanitary sewer or an onsite septic system; ask Oakland County Environmental Health before planning alternative off-grid sanitation in Holly Township.21

Sources

  1. Stille-DeRossett-Hale Single State Construction Code Act, MCL 125.1510 (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  2. Holly Township Building Department (hollytownship.gov)
  3. Single-family residential districts (R-1 and R-2) (Holly Township), quoted and re-checked
  4. Onsite Sewage Disposal System (Septic), quoted and re-checked
  5. Outdoor storage of recreational vehicles (Holly Township), quoted and re-checked
  6. Accessory buildings and uses (Holly Township), quoted and re-checked
  7. Frequently Asked Questions – Residential Builder (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  8. Before you start a well drilling business (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. Holly Township Building Permit Applications (hollytownship.gov)
  10. Holly Township Planning & Zoning (hollytownship.gov)
  11. Local Community Planning & Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  12. Accessory buildings and uses (Holly Township), quoted and re-checked
  13. Proposed Use of Septic (Holly Township), quoted and re-checked
  14. Onsite Sewage Disposal System (Septic), quoted and re-checked
  15. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  16. Site Plan Review Application and Guidelines (Holly Township), quoted and re-checked
  17. Holly Township Resolution 2023-23 zoning fee schedule (Holly Township), quoted and re-checked
  18. Infrastructure permits (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. Floodplains (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  20. Local Community Planning & Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  21. Disposal of residential wastewater such as swimming pool water (Michigan statewide rule), 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 Holly Township

Holly Township’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction or placement of an accessory building or structure greater than 200 square feet inside Holly Township.

    • The application must include a detailed site sketch sufficient to determine compliance with zoning requirements.
    • The permit is required under the single state construction code.

    area threshold: > 200 square feet

    “The construction or placement of any accessory building or structure greater than 200 square feet shall require a building permit under the single state construction code.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Holly Township under the township zoning ordinance.

    “The intent of the R-1 and R-2 districts is to provide districts in which the main use is single-family residential, plus its normal accessory and compatible supportive uses.”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Mobile-home parks in Holly Township's MHP district.

    • Screening is required along boundaries abutting existing residential development and public rights-of-way.
    • The landscaping must provide a continuous screen at maturity unless an alternative screening device conceals the park as effectively.

    minimum setback from public right-of-way: >= 50 feet

    “The minimum setback for mobile home parks shall be 50 feet from a public right-of-way.”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Recreational vehicles on residential property inside Holly Township.

    • Storage or parking is not permitted on vacant lots or parcels except as approved by the zoning administrator during construction of a single-family dwelling.
    • Outside storage must be in the side or rear yard at least five feet from the side or rear lot line, subject to the front-yard exception for inaccessible or insufficient side/rear yards.
    • An RV may not be used for living, sleeping, or housekeeping except occasional visitor use not exceeding two continuous weeks.
    • An RV may not be stored on a public street, right-of-way, or private road easement.

    occasional visitor occupancy limit: <= 2 weeks continuous · side/rear storage setback: >= 5 feet (Front-yard parking may be allowed by the zoning administrator when side/rear access or clearance is insufficient.)

    “No recreational vehicle shall be used for living, sleeping, or housekeeping purposes on the premises, except for occasional living purposes to accommodate visitors not to exceed a continuous period of two weeks.”
  • Camping on your landProhibited

    Temporary campgrounds inside Holly Township.

    • The campground section separately regulates Type I or II campgrounds and Type III camp buildings providing temporary living quarters on a daily, weekly, or seasonal basis.
    • Campgrounds must comply with current state laws and requirements.
    “Temporary campgrounds are strictly prohibited.”
  • Agricultural exemptionConditional

    Accessory buildings associated with a legitimate farming operation inside Holly Township.

    • All yard requirements must still be complied with.
    • The exception concerns accessory-building size and does not establish exemption from building, health, or other permits.
    “Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to affect the size of accessory buildings in conjunction with a legitimate farming operation as defined in this chapter, provided that all yard requirements are complied with.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Agricultural-tourism special uses inside Holly Township.

    • Customer ingress and egress must be from a public road.
    • Applicants must obtain all necessary permits from applicable agencies, including the Road Commission for Oakland County.
    “All customer ingress and egress shall be from a public road.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Township zoning and related application review inside Holly Township.

    • An escrow fee may be required in addition to the administrative fee.
    • No application is processed and no certificate of occupancy, inspection, or permit is issued before the required escrow is deposited.
    • If escrow is depleted, an additional deposit must restore at least $500 or a greater amount determined necessary.
    • Unpaid additional review expenses may result in stop-work action after 14 days.

    minimum escrow restoration: >= 500 USD (The Zoning Administrator or Clerk may require a greater amount.)

    “No application(s) shall be processed and no Certificate of Occupancy(s), inspections, or permit(s) shall be issued prior to the required escrow fee having been deposited with the Township Clerk.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Site-plan development review inside Holly Township.

    • A completed and signed application, 14 physical plan sets measuring 24 by 36 inches, digital plans, and applicable evidence of submission to other agencies are required.
    • The plan must be submitted at least 21 days before the Planning Commission meeting for regular-agenda consideration.
    • After Planning Commission approval and final-plan approval, engineering review and a pre-construction meeting precede building-permit application.
    • Construction may not begin until all required permits are obtained.

    regular-agenda submission lead time: >= 21 days

    “After receiving Planning Commission approval and having the final plans approved, the applicant must submit an Engineering Review application to the Township. All items required to be addressed during the Engineering Review must be completed before a pre-construction meeting can be scheduled. After the pre-construction meeting, the applicant can then apply for building permits. Construction shall not begin until all required permits are obtained.”

Rules another office applies inside Holly Township

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

  • Septic permitRequired

    Construction or installation of a new onsite sewage disposal system serving residential property inside Holly Township.

    • Residential property that is vacant, has burned down, has been demolished, or is extensively remodeled is treated as new.
    • A repair permit is required for replacement, alteration, or repair of an existing residential onsite system where the structure remains intact or remodeling does not increase bedrooms or sewage flows.
    “All sanitary sewage treatment and disposal systems proposed to serve residential property that is vacant, has burned down, has been demolished or is extensively remodeled is considered New. A New Onsite Sewage Disposal Permit Application is required for construction or installation of a new onsite sewage disposal system.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — An owner acting as builder for construction inside Holly Township.
  • Inspections — Building construction inside Holly Township.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Buildings and new residential construction inside Holly Township.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Single-family dwellings in Holly Township residential districts.
  • Lot coverage — Residential development inside Holly Township.
8 more unanswered
  • Tiny homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Subdividing land
  • 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 Holly Township publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Oakland County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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