Bolthole Index

Oakland County, Michigan

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Huntington Woods, Michigan

Huntington Woods, Michigan requires a building permit before home construction, with applications submitted to the city Building Department.12 Huntington Woods administers its own zoning in Oakland County and prohibits septic tanks and other private sewage-disposal facilities inside city limits.34 Oakland County Health Division handles the county’s onsite sewage program, but that role does not override the city prohibition.54

At a glance

Building permits
Apply to the city Building Department before construction12
Zoning
City zoning applies inside Huntington Woods3
Septic tanks
Construction or maintenance prohibited inside the city4
RV occupancy
At most 7 days, no more often than once in six months; prior public-safety permission required on residential lots6
Minimum home size
District-specific: 1,400 sq ft in R-1A; 1,100 sq ft in R-1E78
Owner-builder
Own-use residential-builder licensing exemption does not waive building permits9

Who to call

Building permits

Huntington Woods Building Department

City building-permit applications and inspection scheduling

248.581.2633

[email protected]

Zoning

Huntington Woods Planning and Zoning Department

City zoning administration and development review

248.581.2637

Septic permits

Oakland County Health Division, Environmental Health Services

County onsite sewage program; city sanitation restrictions still apply

248-858-1312

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

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Do you need a building permit in Huntington Woods, MI?

Huntington Woods home construction requires a written building-permit application before work begins; Michigan law directs the application to the appropriate enforcing agency.1 In Huntington Woods, submit construction documents, building-permit applications and fees to the Building Department in City Hall.2

Huntington Woods approved building permits receive rough and final inspections, scheduled through the Building Department.10 The city issues a certificate of occupancy upon request after final inspection approval and returns the bond upon successful project completion.11 Keep inspection scheduling and the certificate request in your construction plan.1011

Who handles Huntington Woods building permits and zoning?

Contact the Huntington Woods Building Department at 248.581.2633 for inspection scheduling; building-permit applications are submitted to that department in City Hall.12 The city’s development guide directs readers to building applications and the fee schedule under City Services on the municipal website.12

For Huntington Woods zoning and development review, contact the Planning and Zoning Department at 248.581.2637.13 The city asks prospective builders to meet with the Zoning Administrator to determine whether site plan review is needed, and lists new single-family dwellings among projects requiring Planning Commission site plan review.13 Oakland County’s onsite sewage office has a separate role; city law still prohibits private sewage-disposal facilities.144

Does Huntington Woods have zoning, lot-size rules and setbacks?

Huntington Woods administers a zoning ordinance regulating land use and development inside city limits.3 The city’s one-family districts have different dimensional requirements, so identify the parcel’s district before sizing a home or dividing land.1516

In Huntington Woods R-1A, minimum lot area is 30,000 square feet and minimum lot width is 160 feet; in R-1E, the corresponding minimums are 5,000 square feet and 40 feet.1718 R-1A lists a 40-foot front setback, 20-foot least side yard, 40-foot second side yard and 60-foot rear setback, with footnotes modifying front and corner-lot requirements.19 Huntington Woods lot divisions must produce parcels conforming to city ordinances, with public-street or permanent-easement access and necessary utilities available.16

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Huntington Woods?

Huntington Woods allows living, sleeping or housekeeping in recreational equipment only for a period of no more than 7 days, no more often than once in six months on the same property.6 On residential lots, permission from the director of public safety must be obtained before that occupancy.6 That limited exception does not support treating an RV as housing throughout a home-building project.6

Huntington Woods minimum dwelling floor area is 1,400 square feet in R-1A, 1,300 in R-1B and R-1C, 1,200 in R-1D and 1,100 in R-1E.72021228 We could not confirm a separate tiny-home or accessory-dwelling allowance; ask the city Planning and Zoning Department about the proposed dwelling and its district.

How do septic and water rules work inside Huntington Woods?

Huntington Woods prohibits constructing or maintaining a privy, privy vault, septic tank, cesspool or other facility intended or used for sewage disposal inside the city.4 A buyer should therefore not plan a Huntington Woods home around a private septic system.4 Michigan plumbing rules require public-sewer connection where available and a plumbing permit before plumbing work begins.23

Oakland County Health Division administers onsite sewage permits and inspections, but county septic approval does not remove Huntington Woods’ prohibition.144 For land outside city limits, consult the Oakland County guide for the county’s septic-permit process.24 We could not confirm a Huntington Woods-specific private-well requirement; ask Oakland County Environmental Health Services and the city about the proposed water supply.

What are the steps to build a home in Huntington Woods?

  1. Meet with the Huntington Woods Zoning Administrator about the parcel’s district and whether the project needs site plan review; new single-family dwellings are listed for Planning Commission review.13
  2. Submit construction documents, building-permit applications and fees to the Huntington Woods Building Department in City Hall; the city accepts cash, check or credit card.2
  3. Arrange rough and final inspections with the Building Department as construction proceeds.10
  4. Request the Huntington Woods certificate of occupancy after final inspection approval; the city returns the bond after successful completion.11

Michigan’s residential-builder licensing exemption covers a person erecting a home on their own property for their own use and occupancy, while building-permit, inspection and zoning requirements remain applicable.9 Huntington Woods also has a specific homeowner electrical contractor-license exemption for qualifying owner-occupied or intended-to-be-occupied single-family homes and accompanying outbuildings; that is not a general building-permit exemption.25

Watch-outs

  • Huntington Woods prohibits septic tanks inside city limits even though Oakland County operates a septic-permit program.414
  • Huntington Woods temporary RV occupancy on residential lots needs prior permission from the director of public safety.6
  • We could not confirm Huntington Woods rules specifically allowing tiny homes, accessory dwellings or manufactured-home occupancy; ask the city Planning and Zoning Department before buying for that use.13

Sources

  1. Stille-DeRossett-Hale Single State Construction Code Act, MCL 125.1510 (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  2. Huntington Woods Development Guide (Huntington Woods), quoted and re-checked
  3. Huntington Woods Development Guide (Huntington Woods), quoted and re-checked
  4. library.municode.com (Huntington Woods), quoted and re-checked
  5. Onsite Sewage Disposal System (Septic), quoted and re-checked
  6. Section 42-1 - Parking and storage of recreational equipment (Huntington Woods), quoted and re-checked
  7. Section 40-4.03 - R-1A through R-1E: One-Family Districts (Huntington Woods), quoted and re-checked
  8. Section 40-4.03 - R-1A through R-1E: One-Family Districts (Huntington Woods), quoted and re-checked
  9. Frequently Asked Questions – Residential Builder (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. Huntington Woods Development Guide (Huntington Woods), quoted and re-checked
  11. Huntington Woods Development Guide (Huntington Woods), quoted and re-checked
  12. Huntington Woods Building Department (cms9files.revize.com)
  13. Huntington Woods Planning and Zoning Department (cms9files.revize.com)
  14. Oakland County Health Division, Environmental Health Services (oaklandcountymi.gov)
  15. Huntington Woods Development Guide (Huntington Woods), quoted and re-checked
  16. Chapter 20 - Land Divisions and Subdivisions (Huntington Woods), quoted and re-checked
  17. Section 40-4.03 - R-1A through R-1E: One-Family Districts (Huntington Woods), quoted and re-checked
  18. Section 40-4.03 - R-1A through R-1E: One-Family Districts (Huntington Woods), quoted and re-checked
  19. Section 40-4.03 - R-1A through R-1E: One-Family Districts (Huntington Woods), quoted and re-checked
  20. Section 40-4.03 - R-1A through R-1E: One-Family Districts (Huntington Woods), quoted and re-checked
  21. Section 40-4.03 - R-1A through R-1E: One-Family Districts (Huntington Woods), quoted and re-checked
  22. Section 40-4.03 - R-1A through R-1E: One-Family Districts (Huntington Woods), quoted and re-checked
  23. Michigan Part 7 Plumbing Code Rules (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  24. Onsite Sewage Disposal System (Septic), quoted and re-checked
  25. Section 6-108 - Contractor's license (Huntington Woods), 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 Huntington Woods

Huntington Woods’s own rules

  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    Electrical work by a homeowner in a single-family home and accompanying outbuildings.

    • The person must own and occupy, or intend to occupy, the single-family home.
    • This exemption is specific to the electrical contractor-license requirement and does not establish a general building-permit exemption.
    “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.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Approved building permits inside Huntington Woods city limits.

    • The development guide states approved permits receive at least one rough inspection and a final inspection.
    • Inspection scheduling is through the Building Department.
    “Inspection – approved permits will have at least one rough inspection and a final inspection. To schedule an inspection, call the Building Department at 248.581.2633.”
  • Certificate of occupancyLimited

    City building-permit projects inside Huntington Woods city limits.

    • A certificate is issued upon request.
    • Final inspection approval must occur first.
    • The bond is returned upon successful completion.
    “Certificate of occupancy – a certificate of occupancy will be issued upon request following the approval of the final inspection and the bond will be returned upon successful completion of the project.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Huntington Woods city limits.

    • The city administers its zoning ordinance.
    “Planning is closely related to administration of the zoning ordinance, which regulates the use and development of land within the city.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts inside Huntington Woods city limits.

    • The cited residential district schedule covers R-1A through R-1E one-family districts.
    • The development guide separately links to the city's zoning map and zoning ordinance.
    “The intent of the R-1A through R-1E Districts is to provide areas for single-family dwellings with the primary distinction being a range of densities and bulk provisions, implemented through varying lot sizes. [...] The following dimensional requirements shall apply to the R-1A through R-1E Districts:”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    R-1A one-family district.

    • Minimum floor area is per dwelling unit.

    minimum floor area: 1400 sq ft

    “R-1A | 30,000 | 160 | 2 | 30 | 40 | 20 | 40 | 60 | 1,400”
    4 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    R-1A one-family district.

    • Minimum size is per dwelling unit.
    • Minimum lot width is 160 feet.

    minimum lot area: 30000 sq ft · minimum lot width: 160 ft

    “R-1A | 30,000 | 160 | 2 | 30 | 40 | 20 | 40 | 60 | 1,400”
    4 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • SetbacksSpecified

    R-1A one-family district.

    • Front 40 feet; least side yard 20 feet; second side yard 40 feet; rear 60 feet.
    • Footnotes modify front and corner-lot setbacks.

    front setback: 40 ft · least side setback: 20 ft · second side setback: 40 ft · rear setback: 60 ft

    “R-1A | 30,000 | 160 | 2 | 30 | 40 | 20 | 40 | 60 | 1,400”
  • Building heightSpecified

    R-1A one-family district.

    • Maximum height is two stories and 30 feet.
    • Section 40-6.04 contains height exceptions.

    maximum stories: 2 stories (height exceptions in Sec. 40-6.04) · maximum height: 30 ft (height exceptions in Sec. 40-6.04)

    “R-1A | 30,000 | 160 | 2 | 30 | 40 | 20 | 40 | 60 | 1,400”
    4 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Temporary living, sleeping, or housekeeping in recreational equipment inside Huntington Woods city limits.

    • Use is limited to no more than seven days and not more often than once in six months on the same property.
    • Prior permission from the director of public safety is required on residential lots.

    maximum duration: 7 days (not more often than once in six months on the same property)

    “No such equipment shall at any time be used for living, sleeping or housekeeping purposes, except for a period not to exceed seven days and not often than once in six months on the same property. Permission for such occupancy of recreational equipment on residential lots shall be obtained from the director of public safety prior to such occupancy.”
  • Off-grid sanitationProhibited

    Privies, septic tanks, cesspools, and other sewage-disposal facilities inside Huntington Woods city limits.

    “It shall be unlawful to construct or maintain any privy, privy vault, septic tank, cesspool, or other facility intended or used for the disposal of sewage, within the city.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Lot partitions, divisions, and resultant parcels inside Huntington Woods city limits.

    • Resultant parcels must conform to city ordinances.
    • Parcels must have or be capable of obtaining public-street or permanent-access-easement access.
    • Parcels must be or be capable of being served by necessary utilities.
    • Recorded-plat integrity must not be adversely affected.
    • Unpaid taxes or special assessments are prohibited.
    “Each resultant parcel shall be in conformity with all pertinent ordinances of the city, shall have access to a public street or permanent access easement, shall be or can be served by necessary utilities, and shall not in any way adversely affect the integrity of the recorded plat.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Building permit applications inside Huntington Woods city limits.

    • Submit construction documents, permit applications, and fees to the Building Department in City Hall.
    • Fees may be paid by cash, check, or credit card.
    • Approved permits receive at least one rough and one final inspection.
    • Certificate of occupancy is issued upon request after final inspection approval.
    “Submit construction documents, the permit application(s) and fees – permit applications are available on the City’s website and must be submitted to the Building Department in City Hall. Fees can be paid in cash, by check or by credit card.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Huntington Woods city limits.
  • Manufactured homes — Manufactured-home occupancy inside Huntington Woods city limits.
  • Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling units inside Huntington Woods city limits.
  • Well permit — Private drinking-water wells inside Huntington Woods city limits.
  • Agricultural exemption — Agricultural or farm-related construction inside Huntington Woods city limits.
2 more unanswered
  • 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 Huntington Woods publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Oakland County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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