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

Tallmadge Township’s own rules

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land in Tallmadge Charter Township subject to the Township zoning ordinance.

  • The ordinance states that it governs the unincorporated portions of Tallmadge Charter Township.

  “The Charter Township of Tallmadge is hereby divided into the following zoning districts:”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Land governed by the Tallmadge Charter Township Zoning Ordinance.

  • District locations and boundaries are shown on a zoning map adopted by the Township Board.

  “The location and boundaries of the zoning districts are shown on a map adopted by the Township Board.”

• Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

  Each dwelling unit in Tallmadge Charter Township, except migratory housing for temporary occupancy.

  • Migratory housing for temporary occupancy is excepted.
  • Minimum area varies by number of stories and bedrooms.

  one-story dwelling, two bedrooms or less: >= 960 square feet · one-story dwelling, three or more bedrooms: >= 1120 square feet · one-and-one-half-story dwelling: >= 1260 square feet (First floor must be at least 840 square feet.) · dwelling over one-and-one-half stories: >= 1400 square feet (First floor must be at least 780 square feet.)

  “Each dwelling unit, except for migratory housing for temporary occupancy, shall have the following minimum floor areas:”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Building-permit applications inside Tallmadge Charter Township.

  • Completed building applications must first be provided to the Township office for zoning review.
  • Other permits may be submitted directly to PCI.

  “All completed Building applications must first be turned into the Tallmadge Township office for zoning review. All other permits may be submitted directly to PCI.”

Rules another office applies inside Tallmadge Township

Tallmadge 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 permitRequired

  Construction, alterations, repairs, moves, demolition, occupancy changes, and regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, and plumbing work inside Tallmadge Charter Township.

  • For completed building applications, the Township requires initial submission to the Township office for zoning review; other permits may be submitted directly to PCI.
  • The quoted provision applies to work regulated by the Michigan Building Code.

  “shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit.”

• Minimum lot sizeSpecified

  Single-family dwellings in the R-1 and R-2 districts in Tallmadge Charter Township.

  • Lots not served by both public water and public sanitary sewer must have a minimum area of one acre and width of 120 feet.
  • Corner lots should be larger to accommodate setback requirements.

  minimum lot area: >= 22500 square feet (Single-family dwellings and non-residential uses in R-1/R-2; different standard applies if not served with public water and sewer.) · minimum lot width: >= 100 feet (Single-family dwellings and non-residential uses in R-1/R-2.) · minimum lot area without public water and sanitary sewer: >= 1 acre (All cases in R-1/R-2.)

  “For single family dwellings and non-residential uses, the minimum lot area shall be twenty-two thousand five hundred (22,500) square feet, with a minimum lot width of one hundred (100) feet.”

• SetbacksSpecified

  Buildings and structures in the R-1 and R-2 districts in Tallmadge Charter Township.

  • Corner-lot side yard adjacent to a street must be at least 50 feet.
  • Property abutting the Grand River must maintain a 150-foot yard, and Flood Plain Overlay District provisions may apply.

  front yard: >= 50 feet · side yard: >= 10 feet (A corner-lot side yard adjacent to a street must be at least 50 feet.) · rear yard: >= 50 feet

  “There shall be a front yard of not less than fifty (50) feet.”

• Lot coverageSpecified

  Lots and parcels in the R-1 and R-2 districts in Tallmadge Charter Township.

  maximum building and structure coverage: <= 35 percent

  “No more than thirty-five percent (35%) of the total land area of a lot or parcel of land shall be covered with buildings or structures.”

• Building heightSpecified

  Buildings and structures in the R-1 and R-2 districts in Tallmadge Charter Township.

  • Section 3.14 contains exceptions to height regulations.

  maximum height: <= 35 feet (Also may not exceed two and one-half stories; whichever is less.)

  “No building or structure shall exceed two and one-half (2-1/2) stories or thirty-five (35) feet in height, whichever is less.”

• Manufactured homesLimited

  Mobile homes in the R-4 Mobile Home District in Tallmadge Charter Township.

  • Mobile home parks must comply with applicable state laws, rules, regulations, and the Township ordinance.
  • No trailer, recreational vehicle, or other dwelling may be used as a dwelling in a mobile home park.

  “No trailer, recreational vehicle, or dwelling other than a mobile home shall be permitted to be used as a dwelling in a mobile home park.”

• Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

  On-site sewage-disposal systems inside Tallmadge Charter Township, which is in Ottawa County.

  • The permit site evaluation must meet the Ottawa County Environmental Health Code.

  “Prior to the issuance of a permit, the site must be evaluated to ensure that it meets all of the requirements of the Ottawa County Environmental Health Code.”

• Septic permitRequired

  New and repair on-site sewage-disposal systems inside Tallmadge Charter Township.

  • Before permit issuance, the site must be evaluated and meet the Ottawa County Environmental Health Code.

  “Permits are required for the installation of all new and repair sewage disposal (septic) systems.”

• Septic inspectionLimited

  Existing septic systems inside Tallmadge Charter Township when property ownership is transferred.

  • The source limits the stated evaluation requirement to transfers of ownership.

  “Before transferring ownership, a septic system and/or water supply system evaluation must be done.”

• Well permitRequired

  New and repair on-site water wells inside Tallmadge Charter Township.

  • Before issuance, the site must be evaluated to meet the Ottawa County Environmental Health Code.

  “Permits are required for the installation of all new and repair on site water wells.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction inside Tallmadge Charter Township.
• Building code adopted — Construction inside Tallmadge Charter Township.
• Certificate of occupancy — Buildings inside Tallmadge Charter Township.
• Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy in Tallmadge Charter Township.
• Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling units in Tallmadge 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 Tallmadge 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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