Bolthole Index

Van Buren County, Michigan

Building permits, zoning and septic in the Village of Paw Paw, Michigan

The Village of Paw Paw, Michigan requires a building permit before new construction, building excavation, relocation, or changes to building dimensions or use.1 In Van Buren County, Paw Paw administers village zoning and coordinates contract building services through Community Development; septic approval comes from the Van Buren/Cass District Health Department where public sewer is unavailable.234 Paw Paw prohibits using a parked RV as a dwelling in residential districts.5

At a glance

Building permits
Required before construction, excavation and listed building alterations1
Zoning
Village zoning; Community Development handles inquiries23
RV living
Parked RVs cannot be dwellings in residential districts5
Minimum home size
One-story dwellings: R-1 requires 1,000 sq ft; R-2 requires 800 sq ft67
Sewer and septic
Village sewer connection rules apply; district health approval needed where sewer is unavailable84
Owner-builder
State licensing exemption for own use and occupancy on own property; building requirements still apply9
Move-in approval
Building inspector must issue a certificate of occupancy for a new principal building or dwelling10

Who to call

Building permits

Village of Paw Paw Community Development Department

Planning and zoning inquiries, code inspections and coordination with contract building department services; phone is the village main number.

(269) 657-3148

[email protected]

111 E. Michigan Ave. | P.O. Box 179 Paw Paw, MI 49079-0179

Septic permits

Van Buren/Cass District Health Department, Environmental Health

Septic system permitting and well services for village properties using private systems.

(269) 621-3143

[email protected]

260 South Street Lawrence, MI 49064

Online permits →

Also useful

Village of Paw Paw Department of Public Services

Village water and sanitary sewer services and street maintenance; ask about service availability and proposed access.

(269) 657-3169

110 Harry L. Bush Blvd. P.O. Box 179 Paw Paw, MI 49079

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 11, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Village of Paw Paw means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in the Village of Paw Paw, MI?

Paw Paw requires a building permit before a building is erected, relocated, altered in exterior or interior dimensions or use, or excavated for; eligibility depends on compliance with village zoning and other village regulations.1 A new principal building or dwelling in Paw Paw cannot be occupied until the building inspector issues a certificate of occupancy.10 Michigan enforcing agencies periodically inspect construction performed under their building permits for compliance with the permit, code and applicable laws.11 Michigan’s owner-builder licensing exemption covers construction for the individual’s own use and occupancy on their own property, but does not remove building permit, inspection, zoning or utility requirements.9

Who handles building permits and zoning in the Village of Paw Paw?

The Village of Paw Paw Community Development Department handles planning and zoning inquiries and serves as liaison with the village’s contract building department services.12 Start with Community Development to identify the application route and the building service responsible for your project.3 The department also handles rental, property-maintenance and code inspections.12 Septic system approval inside Paw Paw remains with the Van Buren/Cass District Health Department, rather than moving to the village building counter.13 We could not confirm the operative village building or zoning fee schedule; ask Community Development for the current charges and required application materials.3

Does the Village of Paw Paw have zoning, lot sizes and setbacks?

Paw Paw has village zoning with district-specific dimensional standards.2 In Paw Paw’s R-1 district, the minimum lot area per unit is 10,000 square feet; in R-2, the minimum is 8,700 square feet.1415 The R-1 schedule gives a 30-foot front yard and 25-foot rear yard, with footnotes that can modify front and side setbacks.16 Paw Paw’s R-2 schedule also gives a 30-foot front yard and 25-foot rear yard, subject to its footnotes.17 Ask Community Development to confirm the parcel’s district and interpret the applicable setback footnotes before positioning a house or addition.3

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in the Village of Paw Paw?

A recreational vehicle parked in a Paw Paw residential district cannot be used as a dwelling; parking an RV does not authorize residential occupancy.5 Paw Paw’s minimum floor area for a one-story single-family dwelling is 1,000 square feet in R-1 and 800 square feet in R-2.67 Those floor-area calculations exclude basements, breezeways, unenclosed porches, terraces, attached garages and attached sheds.67 We could not confirm separate Paw Paw tiny-home, accessory-dwelling or temporary private-land camping rules; ask Community Development about the exact structure and intended occupancy before buying it.3

How do sewer connections and septic permits work inside Paw Paw?

Paw Paw requires qualifying occupied or used properties abutting a village public sewer to connect at the owner’s expense when the sewer is within 100 feet of the nearest property line, within 90 days after official notice.8 Ask Public Services about sewer availability before budgeting for private wastewater disposal.18 Where public sewer is unavailable, Paw Paw cannot issue a new-construction building permit or allow construction until district health approval or a sewage disposal permit is obtained.4 Septic construction, installation, alteration, repair or extension requires written application and permit confirmation, with specified exceptions for line replacement and tank repairs.4 A permitted septic tank or tile disposal installation cannot be backfilled until district inspection and approval.19

Building a home in the Village of Paw Paw: what comes first?

  1. Ask Community Development to confirm zoning and coordinate the contract building department application route.3
  2. Ask Public Services about sewer service; where public sewer is unavailable, obtain district health approval before the village building permit or construction.184
  3. Obtain the building permit before excavation or construction and arrange required construction inspections with the enforcing agency.111
  4. Obtain the building inspector’s certificate of occupancy before using a new principal building or dwelling.10

For land outside village limits, consult the Van Buren County guide: zoning is administered by the relevant city, village or township.20

What should you check before buying land in the Village of Paw Paw?

Paw Paw’s wastewater ordinance prohibits privies, septic tanks, cesspools and other wastewater disposal facilities except as provided in the sewer division; an off-grid sanitation plan needs to satisfy those exceptions and sewer connection rules.21 New or replacement private wells in Van Buren County go through district health permit issuance and final inspection.22 The district health code also bars a disposal field in the 100-year floodplain.23 Michigan prohibits new residential construction in regulated floodways, and EGLE floodplain approval can apply to regulated rivers, streams and drains.24 Ask Community Development about village floodplain review and Public Services about proposed driveway access; we could not confirm Paw Paw’s specific floodplain or curb-cut requirements.318

Watch-outs

  • Paw Paw’s residential RV dwelling prohibition applies even though RV parking and dwelling use are separate questions.5
  • Where public sewer is unavailable in Paw Paw, district health approval must precede the new-construction building permit or commencement of construction.4
  • A resident property owner may perform permitted sewage-system construction, repair or extension, but the written septic permit requirement remains.25

Sources

  1. Code of Ordinances, § 42-361 General regulations (Village of Paw Paw), quoted and re-checked
  2. Code of Ordinances, § 42-401 Schedule of district regulations (Village of Paw Paw), quoted and re-checked
  3. Community Development and Codes (Village of Paw Paw), quoted and re-checked
  4. Van Buren/Cass District Environmental Health Code (Village of Paw Paw), quoted and re-checked
  5. Code of Ordinances, § 42-401 footnote a (Village of Paw Paw), quoted and re-checked
  6. Code of Ordinances, § 42-401 Schedule of district regulations (Village of Paw Paw), quoted and re-checked
  7. Code of Ordinances, § 42-401 Schedule of district regulations (Village of Paw Paw), quoted and re-checked
  8. Code of Ordinances, § 38-103 Use of public sewers required (Village of Paw Paw), quoted and re-checked
  9. Frequently Asked Questions – Residential Builder (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. Code of Ordinances, § 42-361 General regulations (Village of Paw Paw), quoted and re-checked
  11. MCL 125.1512, Inspection of construction (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. Village of Paw Paw Community Development Department (pawpaw.net)
  13. Van Buren/Cass District Environmental Health Code (Village of Paw Paw), quoted and re-checked
  14. Code of Ordinances, § 42-401 Schedule of district regulations (Village of Paw Paw), quoted and re-checked
  15. Code of Ordinances, § 42-401 Schedule of district regulations (Village of Paw Paw), quoted and re-checked
  16. Code of Ordinances, § 42-401 Schedule of district regulations (Village of Paw Paw), quoted and re-checked
  17. Code of Ordinances, § 42-401 Schedule of district regulations (Village of Paw Paw), quoted and re-checked
  18. Village of Paw Paw Department of Public Services (pawpaw.net)
  19. Van Buren/Cass District Environmental Health Code (Village of Paw Paw), quoted and re-checked
  20. PROPERTY: What is the zoning on my parcel?, quoted and re-checked
  21. Code of Ordinances, § 38-103 Use of public sewers required (Village of Paw Paw), quoted and re-checked
  22. Well, Septic, and Short-Term Rental Services, quoted and re-checked
  23. Environmental Health Code 2025, quoted and re-checked
  24. Floodplains (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  25. Van Buren/Cass District Environmental Health Code (Village of Paw Paw), quoted and re-checked

Written October 11, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Village of Paw Paw

Village of Paw Paw’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    New construction, relocation, exterior or interior dimensional alteration, use alteration, or excavation for a building inside Paw Paw village.

    • A building permit must be issued before the listed work begins.
    • Eligibility is established by conformity with the zoning chapter and other village codes, ordinances, and regulations.
    • The rule applies to new construction and major improvements to existing structures.
    “no building shall hereafter be erected, relocated or altered in its exterior or interior dimension or use, and no excavation for any building shall be begun until a building permit has been issued.”
  • Owner-builder exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    Construction, repair, or extension of a sewage disposal system serving property inside Paw Paw village where the Van Buren/Cass District Health Department permit applies.

    • A written permit is still required.
    • The work may be performed by a registered installer or by a resident owner of the property.
    “The construction of any new and/or the repair or extension of any existing sewage disposal system under a permit shall only be made by a registered installer as defined in this regulation, or by a resident owner of the property.”
  • Building code adoptedPartial

    Village property maintenance regulation for existing property, buildings, and structures.

    • The adopted code is the 2006 International Property Maintenance Code; this source does not establish adoption of the Michigan construction code itself.
    “The International Property Maintenance Code, 2006 edition, as published by the International Code Council, be and is hereby adopted as the property maintenance code of the village for regulating and governing the conditions and maintenance of all property, buildings and structures;”
  • InspectionsLimited

    Village code and property-maintenance/code-enforcement inspections inside Paw Paw village.

    • The village Community Development Department handles code inspections and rental inspections.
    • The cited source does not establish a universal inspection schedule for every building project.
    “The Community Development Department assists residents and businesses in the Village of Paw Paw by assisting with planning and zoning inquiries, handling rental inspections, property maintenance and code inspections, and acting as a liaison with our contract building department services.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Every new principal building or dwelling subject to the Paw Paw zoning chapter.

    • The building may not be occupied, inhabited, or used until the building inspector issues a certificate of occupancy.
    “No new principal building or dwelling subject to the provisions of this chapter shall be occupied, inhabited or used until a certificate of occupancy is issued by the building inspector.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Paw Paw village; the village adopts and administers zoning regulations.

    “Regulations affecting the arrangement of buildings, materials and equipment occupying such land for each of the districts are hereby established as set forth in the schedule of regulations.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts and dimensional schedule inside Paw Paw village.

    • The cited schedule lists R-1, R-2, RM, RMH, B-1, B-2, CBD, P, RO, I-1, and I-2 districts.
    “R-1 10,000 80 2.5 35 30 abl 8d/20d 25 35 1,000c R-2 8,700 66 2.5 35 30 abl 6d/15d 25 35 800c RM 1 acre 2.5 35e 25e 20/40efg 30e 25e eff.500ce 1bd650ce 2bd800ce 3bd950ce RMH 2.5 35 B-1 2.5 35 hi ij B-2 3 45 hi ij CBD 3 45 hijk ijk P 2.5 35 j RO 2.5 35 l I-1 20,000 100 3 50 50 30/60 30 50 I-2 20,000 100 3 50 50 30/60 30 50”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    Single-family dwelling units in the R-1 district inside Paw Paw village.

    • Minimum floor area excludes basements, breezeways, unenclosed porches, terraces, attached garages, and attached sheds, but includes all types of dwelling units.

    minimum floor area: 1000 square feet (R-1, one-story; see schedule footnote c)

    “R-1 10,000 80 2.5 35 30 abl 8d/20d 25 35 1,000c”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Residential lots in the R-1 district inside Paw Paw village.

    minimum lot area per unit: 10000 square feet (R-1)

    “R-1 10,000 80 2.5 35 30 abl 8d/20d 25 35 1,000c”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • SetbacksSpecified

    R-1 district inside Paw Paw village.

    • The schedule includes front, side, and rear yard requirements; footnotes modify side setbacks on certain street-adjacent lots and front setbacks where 30 percent or more of frontage is built up with permanent residences.

    front yard: 30 feet (R-1 schedule) · side yard: 8d/20d feet (R-1 schedule) · rear yard: 25 feet (R-1 schedule)

    “R-1 10,000 80 2.5 35 30 abl 8d/20d 25 35 1,000c”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    R-1 district inside Paw Paw village.

    maximum lot coverage: 35 percent (R-1)

    “R-1 10,000 80 2.5 35 30 abl 8d/20d 25 35 1,000c”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Building heightSpecified

    R-1 district inside Paw Paw village.

    maximum building height: 35 feet (R-1)

    “R-1 10,000 80 2.5 35 30 abl 8d/20d 25 35 1,000c”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Use of a recreational vehicle as a dwelling in Paw Paw village residential districts.

    • The cited footnote concerns recreational vehicles parked in residential districts.
    • Parking may be subject to additional residential-district rules, including front-yard restrictions.
    “A recreational vehicle parked within a residential district shall not be used as a dwelling, as defined by section 42-3 of this chapter.”
  • Who permits septicCounty

    Septic permitting and approval inside Paw Paw village are administered by the Van Buren/Cass District Public Health Department under the district health code.

    • The health code applies in Van Buren County; public sewer rules may supersede private septic use.
    “The Van Buren/Cass County District Public Health Department and its duly appointed employees shall have jurisdiction throughout Van Buren and Cass Counties in all areas incorporated and unincorporated, which includes cities, villages and townships for the administration and enforcement of these regulations.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Construction, installation, alteration, repair, or extension of a sewage disposal system inside Paw Paw village where public sewer is unavailable.

    • Written application and written confirmation of permit issuance are required.
    • A permit is not required when only the line from dwelling to septic tank, the line from tank to absorption field, or repairs to the septic tank need replacement/repair.
    • The village may not issue a building permit or allow construction where public sewers are unavailable until health-department approval or a sewage disposal permit is obtained.
    “No municipality, township or other agency or an officer or an employee thereof shall issue a building permit for new construction or otherwise allow commencement of construction on any land where public sewers are not available until approval has been granted, or a sewage disposal permit has been obtained from the Van Buren/Cass aunty District ·Public Health Department.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Permitted private sewage disposal installations inside Paw Paw village.

    • A septic tank and/or tile disposal installation may not be backfilled until inspection is completed and approval granted by the district health department.
    • The health department denies final approval for noncompliant or faulty installations.
    • A valid permit is required before the department will conduct an inspection.
    “It shall be unlawful to backfill any septic tank and/or tile disposal installation until an inspection has been completed and approval granted by the Van Buren/Cass County District Public Health Department.”
  • Off-grid sanitationProhibited

    Privies, privy vaults, septic tanks, cesspools, and other wastewater disposal facilities inside Paw Paw village, subject to the ordinance's exceptions.

    • The prohibition is subject to exceptions stated elsewhere in the sewer division.
    • Where a public sewer is available and within the ordinance's distance rule, connection is required.
    “Except as hereinafter provided, it shall be unlawful to construct or maintain any privy, privy vault, septic tank, cesspool, or other facilities intended or used for the disposal of wastewater or other polluted waters.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    Buildings and properties used for human occupancy, employment, recreation, or other purposes inside Paw Paw village when a village public sanitary or combined sewer is located in the abutting street, alley, or right-of-way.

    • The public sewer must be within 100 feet of the nearest property line.
    • Connection is at the owner's expense.
    • Connection must occur within 90 days after official notice from the village director of public services.
    • The ordinance separately prohibits construction or maintenance of privies, septic tanks, cesspools, or other wastewater disposal facilities except as provided.

    connection distance: <= 100 feet from nearest property line · connection deadline: 90 days after official notice

    “The owner of all houses, buildings or properties used for human occupancy, employment, recreation, or other purposes, situated within the village and abutting on any street, alley, or right-of-way in which there is now located, or may in the future be located, a public sanitary or combined sewer of the village, is hereby required, at the owner's expense, to install suitable toilet facilities therein, and to connect such facilities directly to the public sewer in accordance with the provisions of this division within 90 days after date of official notice to do so has been issued by the village director of public services, provided that said public sewer is within 100 feet of the nearest property line of said premises.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Planning, zoning, code, and contract building-department coordination inside Paw Paw village.

    • The village Community Development Department handles planning and zoning inquiries, rental inspections, property maintenance, and code inspections.
    • The page states that the department acts as liaison with contract building department services but does not publish the complete application workflow.
    “The Community Development Department assists residents and businesses in the Village of Paw Paw by assisting with planning and zoning inquiries, handling rental inspections, property maintenance and code inspections, and acting as a liaison with our contract building department services.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Paw Paw village.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Paw Paw village.
  • Manufactured homes — Manufactured-home occupancy inside Paw Paw village.
  • Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling units inside Paw Paw village.
  • Agricultural exemption — Agricultural or farm-building exemptions inside Paw Paw village.
5 more unanswered
  • Subdividing land
  • Driveway access
  • Building in a floodplain
  • Short-term rentals
  • Permit fees

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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Village of Paw Paw publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Van Buren County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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