Bolthole Index

Oakland County, Michigan

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Novi, Michigan

Novi, Michigan requires a building permit for a new home under Michigan’s construction code, with building permits handled by the city’s Community Development Department.12 Novi has its own zoning ordinance; Oakland County Health Division handles septic permits inside the city.34 Recreational equipment cannot be used for living or housekeeping on residential premises in Novi.5

At a glance

Building permits
Apply to Novi Community Development before constructing a home12
Zoning
City zoning; setbacks depend on district and neighborhood36
Septic permits
Oakland County Health Division, including specified additions on septic properties47
RV living
Living or housekeeping in recreational equipment is prohibited on residential premises5
Owner-builder
Homeowners can act as general contractor using the Homeowner Permit Policy form8
Occupancy approval
Residential additions require a certificate of occupancy before occupancy9

Who to call

Building permits

Novi Community Development Department

Building permits, code compliance, local zoning and development plan review

248-347-0415

45175 Ten Mile Road Novi, MI 48375

Zoning

Novi Planning Division

Zoning, land-use planning, environmental and subdivision regulations

248-347-0475

Septic permits

Oakland County Health Division, Environmental Health Services

Permits and construction and final inspections for residential and nonresidential onsite sewage disposal systems

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

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Do you need a building permit in Novi, MI?

A new home in Novi needs a building-permit application before construction, subject to the exceptions in Michigan’s construction code.1 Novi administers the applicable State Construction Code, and the city’s Community Development Department handles building permits and code compliance.102 The state application requirements include scaled plans, specifications and a site plan showing proposed and existing structures.1

A Novi homeowner wishing to serve as general contractor and obtain their own building permits must complete the city’s Homeowner Permit Policy form.8 Michigan’s own-use and own-occupancy builder-licensing exemption does not eliminate building permits, inspections or zoning requirements.11

Who is the Novi building department, and who handles zoning?

Contact Novi Community Development for building permits, code compliance, local zoning and development plan review.2 The building-permit counter’s contact details and official page are listed above.2 For parcel zoning and land-use questions, contact Novi’s Planning Division, which administers zoning, environmental regulations and subdivision regulations.12

Keep septic work on a separate track: Oakland County Health Division issues septic permits and conducts construction and final inspections for onsite sewage disposal systems.13 Buyers considering land outside Novi should use the Oakland County guide for the county’s separate authority information; Oakland County’s absence of county zoning does not establish an absence of municipal or township zoning.14

Does Novi have zoning, and what are the setback rules?

Novi has its own zoning ordinance for land inside city limits.3 Novi setbacks depend on the zoning district, and a neighborhood may have additional requirements or arrangements to preserve wetlands and woodlands.6 The city directs applicants to the zoning ordinance’s Schedule of Regulations for district-specific setback information.6

Before choosing a house footprint, ask Novi Planning to identify the parcel’s district and the standards that apply to the proposed use.12 We could not confirm numeric minimum lot size, minimum dwelling size, lot coverage or height limits for a particular Novi district; ask Novi Planning for the applicable schedule before relying on a listing’s description of buildable land.12

How do septic permits work inside Novi?

Oakland County Health Division issues septic permits for new systems and for applicable replacements, alterations and repairs inside Novi.15 Novi also requires an Oakland County Health permit on septic-field properties when work adds a bedroom or bathroom, substantially increases building area, or modifies or repairs the septic system.7 A trench within 5 feet of the septic field or a basement within 10 feet also triggers the city’s stated Health permit requirement.7

Oakland County lists a $325 new residential septic permit fee for vacant land and a $221 residential repair permit fee.16 Septic inspections follow the permit; without special inspections, the final inspection is required before covering the system.17 Michigan requires a public sewer connection where available, or an approved private sewage disposal system otherwise.18

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on land in Novi?

Novi prohibits using recreational equipment for living or housekeeping on residential premises and prohibits connecting that equipment to water or sanitary sewer facilities.5 The temporary parking allowance of up to 72 consecutive hours is for loading, unloading, trip preparation or minor routine maintenance and repair; that allowance does not authorize residential occupancy.5

Novi’s rules also prohibit occupancy of a mobile home parked or stored under the cited residential-premises provision.19 We could not confirm a specific Novi tiny-home or accessory-dwelling occupancy rule; ask Novi Planning and the Building Division how the proposed structure would be classified and approved before purchasing it.122

Building a home in Novi: what are the steps, in order?

  1. Ask Novi Planning to confirm the parcel’s zoning district, permitted use and applicable setback requirements before finalizing the site layout.126
  2. Establish sewer availability or pursue Oakland County Health approval for an onsite sewage system; Michigan requires public sewer connection where available or an approved private system otherwise.1815
  3. Submit the building-permit application, scaled plans, specifications and site plan to Novi Community Development before construction; homeowners serving as their own general contractor should complete Novi’s Homeowner Permit Policy form.128
  4. Arrange required construction inspections with the enforcing agency and septic inspections with Oakland County Health, including the before-covering inspection specified by the septic permit.2017
  5. Obtain the required occupancy approval before moving in; Novi explicitly requires a certificate of occupancy before occupying residential additions.219

What should you check before buying land in Novi?

Ask Novi Planning about the parcel’s zoning and environmental requirements, especially where wetland or woodland preservation affects the proposed building location.126 Michigan prohibits new residential construction in the floodway, and qualifying river, stream or drain floodplain work requires EGLE review.22

For a proposed private well, ask Oakland County Health which local permit or notification requirement applies before drilling; Michigan’s requirements depend on county ordinances.23 Oakland County’s soil rating shows only 9.8% of soils rated not limited for a conventional septic drain field; this countywide figure calls for a site evaluation and does not mean septic is impossible on a particular Novi lot.24

Watch-outs

  • Novi’s temporary RV parking allowance does not permit living or housekeeping in the equipment.5
  • Adding a bedroom or bathroom on a Novi septic-field property requires an Oakland County Health permit under the city’s residential requirements.7
  • We could not confirm a Novi agricultural exemption from building permits or zoning; ask Community Development before treating farm-related construction as exempt.2

Sources

  1. Stille-DeRossett-Hale Single State Construction Code Act, MCL 125.1510 (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  2. Novi Community Development Department (cityofnovi.org)
  3. Code of Ordinances and City Charter - City of Novi (Novi), quoted and re-checked
  4. Residential Addition Requirements - City of Novi (Novi), quoted and re-checked
  5. Ordinance Guide 2023 - City of Novi (Novi), quoted and re-checked
  6. FAQ - City of Novi (Novi), quoted and re-checked
  7. Residential Addition Requirements - City of Novi (Novi), quoted and re-checked
  8. Forms and Permits - City of Novi (Novi), quoted and re-checked
  9. Residential Addition Requirements - City of Novi (Novi), quoted and re-checked
  10. Novi Code § 7-34 - Referenced codes (Novi), quoted and re-checked
  11. Frequently Asked Questions – Residential Builder (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. Novi Planning Division (cityofnovi.org)
  13. Onsite Sewage Disposal System (Septic), quoted and re-checked
  14. Local Community Planning & Zoning (2026 county census)
  15. Onsite Sewage Disposal System (Septic), quoted and re-checked
  16. Onsite Sewage Disposal System (Septic) — applications and fees, quoted and re-checked
  17. Onsite Sewage Disposal System (Septic), quoted and re-checked
  18. Michigan Part 7 Plumbing Code Rules (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. Ordinance Guide 2023 - City of Novi (Novi), quoted and re-checked
  20. MCL 125.1512, Inspection of construction (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. Certificate of Occupancy Request (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  22. Floodplains (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  23. Before you start a well drilling business (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  24. 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

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 Novi

Novi’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Condominium projects and permits issued under Novi's zoning ordinance.

    • The building official may not issue the permit unless the metes-and-bounds survey, zoning compliance, and other applicable ordinance and statutory requirements are satisfied.
    “No building permit required pursuant to Appendix A, "Zoning Ordinance," as amended, shall be issued by the building official unless the following requirements are met:”
  • Owner-builder exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    A Novi homeowner wishing to act as their own general contractor and obtain their own permits.

    • The homeowner must complete the city's Homeowner Permit Policy form and comply with applicable permit requirements.
    “If you are a homeowner wishing to act as your own general contractor and to obtain your own permits, please complete this form.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Building-code enforcement inside Novi city.

    • The city administers and enforces the applicable versions of the State Construction Code.
    “References to the International Building, Existing Building, Fuel Gas, Mechanical and Plumbing Codes, and the list of those ICC Codes in chapter 8 of the International Property Maintenance Code, 2009 Edition, are amended to refer to the versions of those codes that are part of the State Construction Code that is administered and enforced in the city as provided in article II of Chapter 7 of the City of Novi Code of Ordinances.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Construction work requiring Novi inspections.

    • Inspection requests must be scheduled before 3:30 PM the day before the requested inspection date.
    • The city portal requires an assigned permit number.
    • The city lists building, electrical, plumbing, and heating inspections.

    inspection scheduling deadline: 3:30 PM the day before the requested inspection date

    “The minimum required inspections shall be footings/foundations, slab on grade, rough building/electrical/mechanical/plumbing/fireplace, brick veneer flashing and weepholes, insulation, final building/electrical/mechanical/plumbing/fireplace and grade.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Residential additions and occupancy of applicable buildings inside Novi.

    • A certificate of occupancy must be obtained from the Community Development Department before occupancy.
    “Note that a certificate of occupancy shall be obtained from the Community Development Department prior to occupancy.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Novi city limits.

    • The city identifies its own City of Novi Zoning Ordinance as part of its code.
    “The City of Novi Zoning Ordinance has been reorganized and reformatted to be more user-friendly and accessible.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts and zoning standards inside Novi city limits.

    • The city's official site links its Zoning Ordinance and directs users to the zoning map and Appendix A zoning provisions.
    • District-specific setback information is published through the zoning ordinance schedule of regulations.
    “The City of Novi Zoning Ordinance has been reorganized and reformatted to be more user-friendly and accessible.”
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Development inside Novi city limits; setback requirements depend on the applicable zoning district and may also reflect neighborhood-specific requirements or wetland/woodland-preservation options.

    • The city directs applicants to Appendix A, Article 24, Schedule of Regulations.
    • Neighborhood-specific requirements may apply.
    “While each zoning district does have specific setback information, your neighborhood may have been designed with requirements unique to that development or options to preserve the wetlands and woodlands.”
  • Living in an RVProhibited

    Use of recreational equipment, including recreational vehicles and trailers, for living or housekeeping on residential premises in Novi.

    • Recreational equipment may be temporarily parked or stored for up to 72 consecutive hours for active loading, unloading, trip preparation, or minor routine maintenance and repair.
    • The same equipment's presence within seven days may constitute a violation unless removal is established.
    • Equipment may not be connected to water or sanitary sewer facilities.

    temporary parking/storage limit: <= 72 consecutive hours (Active loading, unloading, trip preparation, or minor routine maintenance and repair.)

    “At no time shall recreational equipment be used for living or housekeeping purposes, nor may it be connected to water or sanitary sewer facilities.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Mobile/manufactured homes parked or stored on residential premises in Novi.

    • Except where otherwise permitted, parking a mobile home for more than 24 hours on land not approved for mobile homes or mobile home parks is prohibited.
    • The Building Official may issue a temporary rear-yard permit for up to two weeks.
    • A parked or stored mobile home may not be connected to sanitary facilities or occupied.

    ordinary parking period before prohibition: > 24 hours (Building Official may issue a temporary rear-yard permit not exceeding two weeks.) · temporary permit maximum: <= 2 weeks (Rear yard on private property.)

    “Any such mobile home so parked or stored shall not be connected to sanitary facilities and shall not be occupied.”
  • Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

    Properties inside Novi with septic fields.

    • Novi's own residential requirements expressly require an Oakland County Health permit for specified septic-related work.
    “If you have a septic field, an Oakland County Health permit is required when:”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Existing septic-field properties in Novi when specified work is proposed.

    • An Oakland County Health permit is required when a bedroom or bathroom is added, there is a substantial increase in building area, construction/modification/repair is performed on the septic system, a trench is within five feet of the septic field, or a basement is constructed within ten feet of the septic field.

    trench distance from septic field: <= 5 feet · basement distance from septic field: <= 10 feet

    “If you have a septic field, an Oakland County Health permit is required when: a) A bedroom and/or a bathroom is added b) Substantial increase in building area c) Any construction, modification, or repair performed on the septic system d) A trench within five (5) feet of the septic field e) A basement constructed within ten (10) feet of the septic field”

Still unanswered

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

  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Novi city limits.
  • Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size inside Novi city limits.
  • Lot coverage — Lot coverage inside Novi city limits.
  • Building height — Building height inside Novi city limits.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Novi city limits.
6 more unanswered
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Septic inspection
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land
  • 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 Novi publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Oakland County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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