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

Bridgeport Township’s own rules

• Building code adoptedAdopted

  Construction in Bridgeport charter township, enforced by the township building department

  • Existing buildings and dwellings not under construction are inspected under the International Property Maintenance Code.
  • The state revises and updates these codes every three years.

  “the building department is responsible for enforcing the building and other codes of the state of michigan.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Bridgeport charter township's limits, under the township's own Bridgeport Charter Township Zoning Ordinance

  • The copy reviewed is hosted on energyzoning.org, a third-party host, and is dated 12/21/2016. The township's current amended text and official zoning map were not located on an official township page.
  • The township's codified Code of Ordinances reserves Appendix A (zoning) and does not contain the zoning text; the standalone zoning ordinance is the operative text.

  “chapter 1 - purpose, introduction and districts”

• Zoning districtsPublished

  Zoning districts of Bridgeport charter township under its zoning ordinance

  • Section 105 lists districts AG, RA, R-1, R-2, R-3, C-1, C-2, C-3, M-1 and M-2. The zoning map is said to be on file with the township clerk; it was not retrieved.
  • The district list comes from the energyzoning.org copy dated 12/21/2016, which is not an official township host.

  “the bridgeport charter township is hereby divided into the following districts:”

• Subdividing landLimited

  Land divisions and plats in Bridgeport charter township

  • The code gives the planning commission the subdivision and land division recommendation role. The township's subdivision or land division ordinance was not located.
  • The zoning ordinance copy also says a split request handled as a consent agenda item must be approved by the planning commission before any official split or building permit issues.

  “sec. 2-128. subdivision and land division recommendations. (a) the planning commission may recommend to the township board provisions of an ordinance or rules governing the subdivision of land.”

Rules another office applies inside Bridgeport Township

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

• Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

  Onsite wastewater (septic) systems on sites not served by public water and sewer inside Bridgeport charter township; the Saginaw County Environmental Health Code applies countywide, including inside the township

  • The county page does not name Bridgeport charter township; the countywide code is the rule that applies there.
  • No township septic ordinance was located.

  “onsite wastewater treatment and disposal (septic) systems and onsite water wells are covered under the saginaw county environmental health code.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Planned new or replacement septic systems at sites inside Bridgeport charter township that are not served by a public water supply and sewage disposal system

  • Applies only where the site is not served by a public water supply and sewage disposal system.
  • The permit issues only if site conditions are acceptable; it is valid for two years and states minimum construction standards.
  • Any changes to the system must be approved by the county before installation.
  • Septic system installers must be registered by the Saginaw County Health Department.

  “if you own property and are planning to build or need to replace a well or septic system at a site which is not served by a public water supply and sewage disposal system, you are required to obtain a well permit and/or a wastewater disposal permit from this office.”

• Septic inspectionLimited

  Onsite septic systems at sites inside Bridgeport charter township that are not served by public water and sewer

  • The page describes a site evaluation by a county Department of Public Health representative before a permit issues. It does not describe a separate construction inspection schedule.
  • The permit states minimum construction standards that must be followed.

  “each site must be evaluated by a department of public health representative to accurately determine the characteristics of the soil layers which exist below the land surface”

• Well permitRequired

  New or replacement private wells at sites inside Bridgeport charter township that are not served by a public water supply

  • Applies only where the site is not served by a public water supply and sewage disposal system.
  • The page says the well should be installed by a well driller licensed by the state, to meet the water quality law (Act 368, P.A. of 1978).

  “if you own property and are planning to build or need to replace a well or septic system at a site which is not served by a public water supply and sewage disposal system, you are required to obtain a well permit and/or a wastewater disposal permit from this office.”

Still unanswered

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

• Building permit — New construction in Bridgeport charter township
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder construction of a home in Bridgeport charter township
• Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy certificates for new homes in Bridgeport charter township
• Minimum lot size — Single-family lots in Bridgeport charter township, including the main single-family district
• Lot coverage — Lot coverage in Bridgeport 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 Bridgeport 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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