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

James Township’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  New residential construction inside James township limits

  • Plans and specifications must accompany the application for plan examination and fee before a permit can be issued, except as listed on the form.

  “a building permit will not be issued for new construction until the following (check list) information is provided and returned with building permit application.”

• InspectionsRequired

  Permitted construction inside James township limits; building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing inspections by the township

  • Permit holder must stake the lot and building location, post the permit visible from the road, and call for each inspection stage (footing, foundation, rough-in, final).
  • A re-inspection fee is charged if the job is not ready for an called inspection.

  “there are a number of inspections required in each of the four codes (building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing); therefore, you must call us when you are ready for each type of inspection.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside James township limits: the township administers its own zoning ordinance (the 10 Nov. 2008 James Township Zoning Ordinance, per a third-party host, not an official township page) through its zoning board of appeals.

  • The township's official zoning ordinance text was not opened on an official host; the 2008 ordinance copy found on energyzoning.org is third-party and was not used as evidence.
  • Township planning commission minutes from 2025 indicate ongoing zoning revisions; the current adopted text must be confirmed with the township.

  “the current zoning ordinance allows for one horse on 5 acres.”

• Permit processPartial

  Building permit process for new construction inside James township

  • Plans must be submitted with an application for plan examination and the appropriate fee before a permit can be issued.
  • A drainage plan is required, showing where water run off is directed.
  • Soil erosion permit: if there is an earthchange of one (1) acre or more, or if the project is within five hundred (500) feet of a lake, stream or county drain.

  “plans must be submitted with an application for plan examination and the appropriate fee before a permit can be issued, except as listed below.”

Rules another office applies inside James Township

James 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 sewage disposal for new homes inside James township limits where no public sewer is available

  • The Saginaw County Health Department administers the Saginaw County environmental health code for onsite wastewater systems.
  • The township permit form lists the septic permit as a county-issued requirement.

  “(1) septic system permit: (for new house) must be issued by the saginaw county health dept.”

• Septic permitRequired

  New home sites inside James township not served by public water and sewage disposal

  • Site must be evaluated by the health department (soil borings, water table, drainage) and a permit issued only if site conditions are acceptable.
  • Minimum sizes and locations are set in the permit; changes must be approved by the health department before installation.
  • Septic installers must be registered with the Saginaw County Health Department.
  • Application is acted upon within ten days after the completed application, copy of registered deed, fees, and notice of completed soil borings are received.
  • Permit is valid for two years.

  permit validity: 2 years

  “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 inspectionRequired

  Onsite septic systems installed for new homes inside James township

  • The health department inspects the system before it is covered, and collects a well water sample and inspects the well installation where a well is used.

  “make a complete inspection of the completed onsite wastewater treatment and disposal system prior to covering to ensure that the system has been properly installed”

• Well permitRequired

  New or replacement wells on property inside James township not served by public water

  • If a well exists and is replaced, the old well must be properly abandoned unless it meets well construction code and the owner keeps it in use.
  • Well must be installed by a state-licensed well driller; health department collects a water sample and inspects installation.
  • Fee must be submitted with the application.

  “a permit is required to install a new or replacement well on your property.”

• Driveway accessRequired

  New driveway access to a new house inside James township

  • Driveway approach must be approved by the Saginaw County Road Commission (or MDOT on a state highway) and completed before house construction starts.
  • A passable driveway to the building site must be approved by the township building inspector before construction starts.

  “driveway permit: must be issued by the saginaw county road commission. (ph. 989-752-6140).”

• Building in a floodplainLimited

  Development on land inside James township that is in a regulated floodplain

  • Applies only if the property is in the floodplain; not required for land outside the floodplain.

  “(5) (egle) fill permit: is required by the department of environment, great lakes, and energy (ph. 989 280-1632) if property is in the floodplain.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder work on a home inside James township limits
• Certificate of occupancy — New dwelling inside James township limits
• Zoning districts — Zoning districts of James township
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside James township, single-family residential district
• Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size inside James township, main single-family residential district and any agricultural or rural-residential district

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.