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

Rules another office applies inside Zilwaukee Township

Zilwaukee 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 (septic) wastewater system permitting for land inside Zilwaukee township, for sites not served by public water and sewage disposal; administered by the Saginaw County Health Department, which serves the whole county including Zilwaukee township

  • The page describes the Environmental Health Code for Saginaw County and does not name Zilwaukee township specifically; applicability inside the township is inferred from county jurisdiction.
  • Applies only to sites not served by a public water supply and sewage disposal system.
  • The page advises checking with township representatives that plans are acceptable with local regulations.

  “the saginaw county health department will: make an onsite investigation of the conditions of your lot in regards to sewage disposal.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Building a new home or replacing a septic system on a parcel inside Zilwaukee township that is not served by a public water supply and sewage disposal system

  • Applies only to sites not served by a public water supply and sewage disposal system.
  • Permit is issued only if site conditions are acceptable after the health department's soil evaluation; the permit specifies minimum sizes and locations of facilities.
  • Installers must be registered by the Saginaw County Health Department.
  • Any changes to the system must be approved by the health department before installation.
  • Where the property is within or partly within a regulated floodplain or wetland, a state permit must be obtained first (see floodplain claim).
  • Applications should be acted upon within ten days after the completed application, copy of registered deed, appropriate fees and notice of completed soil borings are received.
  • Owner may appeal for a variance from the environmental health code.

  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

  Completed septic (onsite wastewater) system on a parcel inside Zilwaukee township that is not served by public water and sewage disposal, under a county permit

  • Inspection is made by the Saginaw County Health Department before the system is covered.
  • Applies to the county permit path described on the same page; no separate township inspection rule was found.

  “make a complete inspection of the completed onsite wastewater treatment and disposal system prior to covering”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  Private onsite sewage disposal for a home on a parcel inside Zilwaukee township that is not served by public sewer

  • Allowed only with a county wastewater disposal permit, issued after site evaluation.
  • Sizing depends on site soils, water table and surface drainage, and the number of bedrooms.
  • Floodplain or wetland sites also need a state permit first.

  “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

  Building a new home or replacing a water well on a parcel inside Zilwaukee township that is not served by a public water supply and sewage disposal system

  • Applies only to sites not served by a public water supply and sewage disposal system.
  • The page says the well should be installed by a well driller licensed under the state water quality law (Act 368, P.A. of 1978).
  • The health department collects a well water sample and inspects the well installation.

  “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.”

• Building in a floodplainRequired

  Development on a parcel inside Zilwaukee township that is within or partially within a regulated floodplain or wetland, where a county well or septic permit is sought

  • A state permit must be obtained before the county health department will issue its permit.
  • The page names the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality; the statute and agency naming were not opened in this run.

  “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.”

Still unanswered

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

• Building permit — Building permits for new construction in Zilwaukee township
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption for construction in Zilwaukee township
• Building code adopted — Which building code applies to new construction in Zilwaukee township
• Inspections — Building inspections for new construction in Zilwaukee township
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for new homes in Zilwaukee 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.