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

Columbus Township’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Construction of buildings and structures inside Columbus township, including barns, homes, garages, additions, decks and ponds per the township's list of typical permits.

  • The typical permits issued are for barns, homes, garages, additions, decks and ponds.
  • Refer to the zoning ordinance for site and use requirements.
  • Building permit is obtained following site plan approval for most development other than individual single-family homes.
  • Mechanical, electrical or plumbing permits may also be required; check with the township.
  • Agriculturally exempt buildings still require zoning, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical permits.

  “columbus township is a zoned community requiring building permits.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Buildings and structures inside Columbus township's limits.

  • The state building code requirements apply to buildings and structures, except agriculturally exempt buildings.
  • Township building inspectors enforce the state code guidelines.

  “the township board adopted the state of michigan building codes and we must follow the states rules and guidelines.”

• InspectionsRequired

  Buildings and structures inside Columbus township that require building permits.

  • Inspections are requested through the township office during regular business hours and written up for the inspector.
  • A re-inspection fee is charged if the site is not ready at the time of the requested inspection.
  • Electrical, plumbing and mechanical inspections are also requested through the township office during office hours.

  re-inspection fee: charged if not ready at requested time

  “our building inspectors are required to inspect buildings to meet the state code and enforce the guidelines set forth in the code.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Columbus township's limits: the township states it is a zoned community that administers its own permits for development.

  • Most development other than individual single-family homes requires site plan approval.
  • Site plan review takes place before the Columbus township planning commission, which meets monthly on the first tuesday.
  • The page refers to the zoning ordinance for site and use requirements; the ordinance text itself was not opened. A third-party copy (energyzoning.org) shows a Columbus Township Zoning Ordinance effective March 8, 2017 and amended through June 1, 2022, but it is not an official township page and was not verified.

  “columbus township is a zoned community requiring permits for development. most development other than individual single-family homes requires site plan approval.”

• Agricultural exemptionConditional

  Buildings on land inside Columbus township that are agriculturally exempt from the state building code.

  • Agriculturally exempt buildings are exempt from the state building code requirements only.
  • Zoning, mechanical, plumbing and electrical permits are still required for agriculturally exempt buildings.
  • Call the township office for zoning requirements on ag exempt buildings.

  “the state building code requirements also apply to buildings and structures (except agriculturally exempt). even if agriculturally exempt, zoning, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical permits are required.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Building permit application fee for construction inside Columbus township.

  • The $75.00 application fee is applied to the permit fees.
  • The township building page does not publish a full permit fee schedule for other permit types.

  building permit application fee: 75 USD (applied toward permit fees)

  “an application fee of $75.00 is required when turning in building permits which will be applied to your permit fees.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Building permit application process inside Columbus township.

  • Applications are available in the township office during regular business hours or can be printed from the township site.
  • Plumbing, electrical and mechanical permit applications are available at the township office and online.
  • Site plan approval precedes building permits for most development other than individual single-family homes.
  • Plan review delays occur when building plans and site plan drawings are incomplete.

  “applications to build are available in the office during regular business hours, or can be printed from the links below.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption for building permits inside Columbus township.
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for new buildings inside Columbus township.
• Zoning districts — Zoning district map and district list for Columbus township.
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size for single-family homes inside Columbus township.
• Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size in the single-family residential district inside Columbus 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.