Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Springfield Township, Michigan

Springfield Township’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Construction inside Springfield charter township; the township building department issues the permits

  • The FAQ says a building permit is not required for sheds under 200 square feet, unless electrical is being run to the structure.
  • Applications require a valid septic permit and a valid well permit (see separate claims).

  “a building permit is not required for sheds under 200 square feet, unless electrical is being run to the structure.”

• InspectionsRequired

  Permitted construction inside Springfield charter township

  • Inspection services are provided by the township building department under the Michigan building codes.
  • The source does not state inspection stages or fees.

  “the building department provides the construction permits and inspection services as required under the michigan building codes.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Springfield charter township (Davisburg, Oakland County, Michigan), which has its own zoning ordinance in its code of ordinances

  • The building department directs applicants to the zoning section of the township code of ordinances for complete zoning requirements.
  • Setback and lot-coverage limits depend on the zoning district and parcel size.

  “for complete zoning requirements and restrictions you should refer to zoning section of the springfield township code of ordinances.”

• SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Structures on private parcels inside Springfield charter township

  • Setbacks are set by the zoning district that applies to the parcel.
  • The numeric setback distances were not located in this research.

  “all structures must adhere to property line setbacks for the applicable zoning district, which can be found here.”

• Lot coverageSpecified

  Accessory buildings on parcels inside Springfield charter township

  • Total floor area of all attached and detached accessory buildings on a parcel is limited based on parcel size.
  • The building department says to call it for the actual size limits.

  “the total of all attached and detached accessory buildings located on a parcel are subject to maximum lot coverage requirements and restrictions in floor area based on parcel size.”

• Driveway accessRequired

  Building permit applications for lots on a public road inside Springfield charter township

  • Required only if the road is public; the source does not address private-road access.

  “a driveway permit (if road is public), and a soil erosion permit, if necessary”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Building permit applications inside Springfield charter township, by a licensed contractor or homeowner

  • Applications are reviewed in order of date received.
  • The applicant is notified when the permit is ready or when more information is required.
  • Applications are reviewed for township ordinance and Michigan construction code compliance.

  “the applications are reviewed in order of date received.”

Rules another office applies inside Springfield Township

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

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Construction inside Springfield charter township, enforced by the township building department

  • The State of Michigan building codes apply and the township building department enforces them.
  • Specific code editions were not identified in this research.

  “the township building department is responsible for enforcement of the state of michigan building codes.”

• Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

  Septic systems for homes inside Springfield charter township; the Oakland County Health Division administers this, which applies inside the township because the township directs residents to it

  • The township FAQ directs residents to the county health division for septic permits.
  • The county service area itself was not separately opened.

  “contact the oakland county health division at (248) 858-1280, which issues well and septic permits.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Septic systems for homes inside Springfield charter township; issued by the Oakland County Health Division

  • A valid septic permit must accompany a township building permit application.
  • Permit terms, fees and inspections are not stated in the township sources.

  “a valid septic permit, a valid well permit, a driveway permit (if road is public), and a soil erosion permit, if necessary.”

• Well permitRequired

  Private wells for homes inside Springfield charter township; issued by the Oakland County Health Division

  • A valid well permit must accompany a township building permit application.
  • Permit terms, fees and inspections are not stated in the township sources.

  “a valid septic permit, a valid well permit, a driveway permit (if road is public), and a soil erosion permit, if necessary.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder permit exemption inside Springfield charter township
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for new homes inside Springfield charter township
• Zoning districts — Zoning district map and district list inside Springfield charter township
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in the main single-family residential district inside Springfield charter township
• Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size in the main single-family residential district inside Springfield charter township

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.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Springfield Township means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

• Water Crystal Quest Filter any source — well, rain, or creek — to drinking-clean.
• Power Bluetti Solar generators and home battery backup for living off the grid.
• Septic Soil percolation test kit Run your own perc test before paying an engineer — the first thing a septic office asks about.
• Water Well water test kit Bacteria, nitrates, hardness — know what the well on a parcel is really pumping.

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