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

Allis Township’s own rules

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Allis township's limits: zoning permits are issued by Allis township, not by Presque Isle County.

  • The county document is from 2022; the township's currently adopted ordinance was not opened.
  • A NEMCOG notice says the Allis Township Planning Commission would hold a public hearing on June 30, 2026 to recommend a new Zoning Ordinance that would replace the current one in its entirety; the outcome of that hearing was not found, and the NEMCOG page returned HTTP 404 when opened.
  • Zoning approval is required before a building permit is issued in the township.

  “cities of rogers city and onaway, village of posen, and townships of allis, krakow and presque isle are under local zoning jurisdiction.”

Rules another office applies inside Allis Township

Allis 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

  New residential construction inside Allis township (a township inside Presque Isle County); the county building department issues building permits for the entire county.

  • Zoning approval (township-issued in Allis) must be obtained before the county issues a building permit.
  • Septic and well approvals from district health department #4 are required before a building permit can be issued where applicable.
  • Soil erosion permit is required for construction within 500 feet of a lake, river, stream or wetland, or excavation of more than one acre (county policy).
  • Plumbing, mechanical and electrical permits are issued by the State of Michigan for townships, not by the county.

  “presque isle county building department issues building permits for the entire county.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted

  Commercial and non-residential construction inside Allis township, under the state construction code.

  • Residential one- and two-family construction is governed by the Michigan Residential Code, not the building code.
  • LARA's code books page lists the 2015 Michigan Residential Code as current; a 2021 residential update was subject to litigation per other LARA material and was not confirmed as in effect.

  “2021 michigan building code - current code -effective april 9, 2025 note: residential requirements are contained in the michigan residential code.”

• InspectionsRequired

  Permitted construction inside Allis township, inspected by the Presque Isle County building department.

  • Footing inspection before pouring concrete; foundation, framing and rough electrical, mechanical and plumbing inspections before covering or backfilling.
  • Inspectors must be licensed by the State of Michigan in their skilled trade (2026 county policy).

  “a final inspection is required before occupying or using a new or remodeled building.”

• Certificate of occupancyRequired

  New homes inside Allis township that use a well.

  • Well final inspection is required before a certificate of occupancy is issued.
  • A final inspection is required before occupying or using a new or remodeled building.

  “well finals are required before a certificate of occupancy can be issued.”

• Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

  Septic systems for new and replacement homes, bedroom additions and mobile homes in areas not served by municipal water or sewer inside Allis township.

  • Applies only where the property is not serviced by municipal water and/or sewers.
  • Septic approval must be obtained before the county issues a building permit.
  • Plumbing and mechanical permits are issued by the State of Michigan.

  “septic system/well permits for new and/or replacement homes, bedroom additions, and mobile homes, in areas not serviced by municipal water and/or sewers, are secured through the district #4 health department”

• Septic permitRequired

  New or replacement homes, bedroom additions and mobile homes not served by municipal sewer inside Allis township.

  • Septic approval is needed before a building permit can be issued.
  • Health department permit is issued by district health department #4.

  “septic system approvals are needed before a building permit can be issued.”

• Well permitRequired

  New or replacement homes and bedroom additions with a private well inside Allis township, where the property is not serviced by municipal water.

  • Well final is required before a certificate of occupancy is issued.
  • Applies only where municipal water is not available.

  “septic system/well permits for new and/or replacement homes, bedroom additions, and mobile homes, in areas not serviced by municipal water and/or sewers, are secured through the district #4 health department”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Building permit application process for work inside Allis township, handled by the county building department after township zoning approval.

  • Plans for new residential construction require two sets; plan review within 5 business days per county policy.
  • Zoning, soil erosion and health department approvals must be issued before a building permit.
  • Permits generally expire after one year and are void after six months without work or inspections.

  plan review time: <= 5 business days (per county policy section 1.1.2.3)

  “1.1.2.3 plan review will be conducted and completed within 5 business days of application.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption for a homeowner building in Allis township
• Zoning districts — Zoning district map and schedule for Allis township
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Allis township
• Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size in the main single-family residential district of Allis township
• Setbacks — Setbacks in the main single-family residential district of Allis 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.