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

Rules another office applies inside Jonesfield Township

Jonesfield 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 land inside Jonesfield township that is not served by public sewer; the Saginaw County Health Department administers this under the county Environmental Health Code

  • Applies only to sites not served by a public water supply and sewage disposal system.
  • Septic system installers must be registered with the health department.

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

• Septic permitRequired

  Building or replacing a septic system on a site inside Jonesfield township that is not served by public water supply and sewage disposal

  • Applies only to sites not served by a public water supply and sewage disposal system.
  • Permit must be obtained from the Saginaw County Health Department before construction.
  • If the property lies within or partly within a regulated floodplain or wetland, a Michigan Department of Environmental Quality permit must be obtained before the health department issues its permit.
  • The township's building and zoning approvals are separate; the page says to check with township representatives.

  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

  New or replacement septic systems on sites inside Jonesfield township not served by public sewer

  • Health department performs the inspection before the system is covered.
  • Health department also collects a well water sample and inspects well installation where a well is involved.

  “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 and quality materials in the amounts required have been used.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  Onsite sewage disposal on land inside Jonesfield township that is not served by public water and sewer

  • Onsite systems are allowed only with a Saginaw County Health Department wastewater disposal permit.
  • Permit issued only if site soil and water-table conditions are acceptable; system size depends on bedrooms and soil type.

  “a permit will be issued to you if the conditions found on the site are acceptable for the installation of an onsite wastewater treatment and disposal system.”

• Well permitRequired

  Installing a new or replacement private water well on land inside Jonesfield township, administered by the Saginaw County Health Department

  • Application must include a site plan and the appropriate fee.
  • If an existing well is replaced, the old well must be properly abandoned (plugged) unless it meets well construction code requirements and the owner continues to use it, which must be indicated on the application.
  • Well should be installed by a well driller licensed by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality under Act 368, P.A. of 1978 (per the septic page).

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

• Building in a floodplainLimited

  Wastewater (septic or well) permits for parcels inside Jonesfield township that lie within or partly within a regulated floodplain or wetland

  • Permit from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality must be obtained before the Saginaw County Health Department issues its permit.
  • This states a precondition for the county septic permit only; it is not a general floodplain development rule for the township.

  “if your property is located within or partially in a regulated floodplain or wetland, a permit must be obtained from the michigan department of environmental quality before a permit will be issued by this department.”

• Permit processPartial

  Well permit application process for land inside Jonesfield township, administered by the Saginaw County Health Department; township building permit process not found

  • Forms can be picked up in room 101 of the health department or mailed on request.
  • Fee must be submitted with the application.
  • Township-level building and zoning steps are not covered by this source.

  “instructions for obtaining a water well permit: complete the application form with as much detail as possible, including the site plan.”

Still unanswered

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

• Building permit — New residential construction inside Jonesfield township
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder permit exemption for work on owner-occupied homes inside Jonesfield township
• Building code adopted — Which construction code applies to new dwellings inside Jonesfield township
• Inspections — Building inspections for new dwellings inside Jonesfield township
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for new dwellings inside Jonesfield 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.