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

Bloomingdale Township’s own rules

• Building code adoptedAdopted

  New construction and alterations inside Bloomingdale township limits

  • Adopts the state building, mechanical and plumbing codes by reference under Ordinance #7-90, passed 06/20/1990, effective immediately.
  • Designates the township building official as enforcing agency under the state construction code act (Act 230 of 1972, as amended).

  “bloomingdale township hereby adopts by reference the state building, mechanical and plumbing codes.”

• InspectionsRequired

  Site-built, mobile and modular homes constructed or located inside Bloomingdale township

  • Occupancy may not occur until all construction is complete under township building codes and ordinances and has been inspected and approved.
  • Used mobile or modular homes must pass township inspection before placement in the township and must bear a HUD sticker; homes needing repairs must be approved by the township building and electrical inspectors.

  “occupancy may not occur in a site built, mobile or modular home until all construction has been completed in accordance with township building codes and ordinances and has been inspected and approved.”

• Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

  Single-family residences (site-built, mobile and modular) inside Bloomingdale township; no zoning district found, so the rule applies township-wide

  • Applies from and after October 1, 1999 to new construction and to homes relocated or replaced within the township.
  • Addition square footage is not counted toward the minimum.
  • Exception: does not apply when located in a mobile home park.

  minimum floor area: >= 720 square feet (except when located in a mobile home park) · minimum width or length dimension: >= 14 feet (except when located in a mobile home park)

  “all site-built homes constructed and all mobile and modular homes located within bloomingdale township for single-family residences shall have a floor area of no less than 720 square feet and width or length dimension of no less than 14 feet, except when located in a mobile home park.”

• Camping on your landLimited

  Camping with campers/RVs on private parcels inside Bloomingdale township

  • Camper/RV placement is permitted only subject to the conditions of Ordinance 140 (registration with township clerk, seasonal window, setbacks, no hookups, trash rules).
  • Failure to register is subject to a fine (OCR reads $150 per day); civil fines up to $500 first offense and $1,000 each additional offense per Section 6.
  • Tents are listed in the camper/RV definition (tent campers).

  “campers/rvs, as as defined defined above, above, shall shall be be permitted on on parcels parcels within bloomingdale bloomingdale township township”

• Manufactured homesAllowed (with conditions)

  Mobile and modular homes placed inside Bloomingdale township for single-family residence use

  • Minimum 720 square feet and 14 feet width or length, except within a mobile home park.
  • Permanent foundation: a full cement slab or other sub-surface construction complying with the building code, same length and width as the home.
  • Set up per the manufacturer's instructions meeting Michigan Mobile Home Commission rules, anchored, wheels removed, and skirted.
  • Used homes must pass township inspection and bear a HUD sticker.
  • Sanitary permit from the Van Buren county health department before placement.

  minimum floor area: >= 720 square feet (except when located in a mobile home park)

  “all such mobile or modular homes shall be set on a permanent foundation which shall consist of a full cement slab”

• Short-term rentalsLimited

  Dwelling units rented for fewer than 30 nights inside Bloomingdale township

  • Short-term rental certificate required before renting for less than 30 nights; issued within 30 days of a complete application; valid one year; nullified by sale of the dwelling.
  • Certificate fee $100 per year.
  • Rental must be a complete single-family dwelling unit or the only short-term rental portion on the parcel; multiple-family dwelling units excluded.
  • Responsible person must be reachable and within 30 minutes travel; issues resolved within 2 hours of notice.
  • Quiet hours 11:00 pm to 7:00 am; campfire rules apply.
  • Violations are municipal civil infractions; fines up to $500 per day of violation.
  • Visitors of a renter between 7:00 am and 11:00 pm are not counted as renters under the definition.

  short-term rental certificate fee: 100 USD per year · rental period threshold requiring certificate: < 30 nights

  “an owner of any dwelling unit located anywhere within bloomingdale township shall not rent or allow to be rented, a dwelling unit or a portion thereof to another person for less than thirty (30) nights at a time”

Rules another office applies inside Bloomingdale Township

Bloomingdale 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)

  Septic systems serving homes built or placed inside Bloomingdale township (Van Buren/Cass District Health Department service area)

  • Ordinance 121 refers to the Van Buren County health department; the county resource sheet names the Van Buren/Cass District Health Department as the permit office for well and septic construction permits.
  • The resource sheet is dated 09.01.2021; contact details unverified against the department's own site.

  “well water & septic system construction permits van buren/cass district health department t: 269-621-3143”

Still unanswered

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

• Building permit — Whether a building permit is required for new residential construction inside Bloomingdale township
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption for residential construction inside Bloomingdale township
• Local zoning — Whether Bloomingdale township adopts and administers its own zoning ordinance for land inside the township
• Minimum lot size — Minimum lot or parcel size for a single-family dwelling inside Bloomingdale township
• Setbacks — Building setbacks for dwellings inside Bloomingdale 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.