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

Rules another office applies inside Metz Township

Metz 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 and commercial construction inside Metz township, permitted by the Presque Isle County Building and Zoning Department.

  • Permits are required before work begins; the county 2022 PDF includes manufactured structures brought to the site.
  • Zoning approval and a septic approval must precede the building permit where applicable.
  • The 2022 PDF does not state its revision date; the 2026 policy governs where they differ.

  “permits are required before work begins on all new construction, commercial and residential, including manufactured structures (brought to the site).”

• Building code adoptedAdopted

  New construction and alterations inside Metz township, administered by the Presque Isle County Building and Zoning Department under the Michigan building code.

  • The Michigan Building Code applies in Metz through county permitting, per the county policy.
  • Plumbing and mechanical permits are issued by the state of Michigan for all townships (2022 county PDF), so those are not county-issued.

  “no building permits shall be issued until all of the following items are submitted in accordance with pa 230, the michigan building code, and the presque isle county ordinances.”

• InspectionsRequired

  Permitted construction inside Metz township.

  • Footing, foundation, framing and rough inspections are required before covering work; a final inspection is required before occupying or using new or remodeled buildings.

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

• Certificate of occupancyRequired

  New homes inside Metz township served by a private well.

  • Well final inspections are required before a certificate of occupancy; a final inspection is required before occupying a new building.

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

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Metz township, Presque Isle County, Michigan: zoning permits are issued under the county's PIC zoning ordinance (county zoning applies in Metz; the township does not run its own zoning office in the sources found).

  • The county 2022 construction permit PDF lists Metz among townships whose zoning permits fall under the PIC zoning ordinance.
  • The county 2026 policy lists the townships it refers to other zoning officials (not Metz): allis, krakow, presque isle, plus the villages of millersburg and posen and the cities of onaway and rogers city.
  • Zoning approval is required before a building permit is issued for new construction.
  • No Metz Township-hosted zoning ordinance or official township zoning statement was located; the county zoning ordinance text itself was not opened.

  “zoning permits for townships under the pic zoning ordinance include: bearinger, belknap, bismarck, case, metz, moltke, north allis, ocqueoc, posen, pulawski and rogers.”

• Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

  Septic and well approvals for new and replacement homes in areas of Metz township not served by municipal water and/or sewer.

  • Applies where municipal water and/or sewer does not serve the parcel; municipal service inside Metz was not found in the sources.

  “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, 106 east huron avenue, rogers city”

• Septic permitRequired

  New and replacement homes, bedroom additions and mobile homes in Metz township not served by municipal water and/or sewer.

  • Septic system approval is needed before a building permit can be issued.

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

• Well permitRequired

  New and replacement homes, bedroom additions and mobile homes in Metz township not served by municipal water.

  • Well final inspection is required before a certificate of occupancy.

  “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, 106 east huron avenue, rogers city”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Building permit process for construction inside Metz township, administered by the Presque Isle County Building and Zoning Department.

  • Permits are issued after zoning approval, soil erosion approval where needed, and health department approval.
  • Plan review generally takes 5 business days and PA 230 sets 10 business days for issuance once documents and fees are paid.

  “no building permits shall be issued until all of the following items are submitted in accordance with pa 230, the michigan building code, and the presque isle county ordinances.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder construction inside Metz township.
• Zoning districts — Zoning district map and list for land in Metz township under the PIC zoning ordinance.
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in Metz township.
• Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size in the main residential district in Metz township.
• Setbacks — Yard setbacks in the main residential district in Metz 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.