Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Ann Arbor Township, Michigan

Ann Arbor Township’s own rules

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Building work inside Ann Arbor Charter Township, Michigan.

  • The Township page lists the 2015 MI Residential Code; 2021 MI Building, Energy, and Rehabilitation Codes; 2021 International Property Maintenance Code; 2023 MI Mechanical and Plumbing Codes; and 2023 NFPA 70 National Electric Code.

  “Ann Arbor Township adheres to the following Michigan Building Codes:”

• InspectionsRequired

  Permit inspections administered by Ann Arbor Charter Township for work inside the Township.

  • Inspections must be called in or emailed at least 24 hours in advance.
  • The page identifies building inspections Monday through Thursday; electrical, mechanical, and plumbing inspections Tuesday and Thursday.

  advance scheduling: >= 24 hours

  “Inspections must be called in or emailed to [email protected] at least 24 hours in advance.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Ann Arbor Charter Township, Michigan.

  • Land use remains subject to the Township zoning ordinance and applicable district requirements.

  “Ann Arbor Charter Township Zoning Ordinance”

• Mandatory utility hookupConditional

  New dwellings inside Ann Arbor Charter Township where Township public-water connection circumstances apply.

  • The Township amended its installation-of-new-connections ordinance to clarify situations in which a new dwelling must connect to Township public water service.
  • The amendment became effective July 31, 2025.
  • The opened page did not supply the availability distance or the complete connection standard.

  “On July 21, 2025 the Ann Arbor Charter Township Board of Trustees approved the 2nd reading of ordinance amendments to Chapter 70, Utilities, Section 73 “Installation of New Connections” which clarifies situations in which a new dwelling must connect to Township public water service.”

• Driveway accessLimited

  Driveway access for parcels created by land division inside Ann Arbor Charter Township.

  • All parcels being divided must have access to a public or private road.
  • The notice describes Township rules limiting shared driveways to two residences and generally to parcels without frontage on a public road; the applicant sought variances from those rules.

  “A variance is required because the ordinance only allows a shared driveway between two residences.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Township license, permit, request, and application fees for land inside Ann Arbor Charter Township.

  • Public-hearing notices required by ordinance must be paid within 15 days after the applicant receives the Township invoice.
  • Outside consultant expenses are the applicant's responsibility and may require additional fees or escrow.
  • The fee schedule is reviewed annually and fees may change without notification.

  “All Licenses, permits, requests and applications are subject to application and permit fees as set forth below to pay the cost of administrative processing and any public hearings required by the Ordinance.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Building-permit applications and inspections inside Ann Arbor Charter Township.

  • Building applications and accompanying documents must be submitted by email, mail, or delivery to the Township office.
  • HOA approval is required for exterior work unless the owner provides a letter that the address is not in an HOA.
  • State-licensed contractors must carry liability insurance and register with the Township before an application can be processed.
  • Trade permit applications may be submitted through BS&A.

  “Building permit applications and the accompanying documents must be submitted via email, mail or delivered to the office.”

Rules another office applies inside Ann Arbor Township

Ann Arbor 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)

  On-site sewage-system installation inside Ann Arbor Charter Township, which is within Washtenaw County.

  • System installations and repairs must be performed by persons certified by the Washtenaw County Environmental Health Division.
  • Minimum isolation distances apply to wells, drainfields, and septic tanks.

  “Sewage system installations and repairs must be performed by individuals certified by the Washtenaw County Environmental Health Division.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Installation of an on-site sewage system inside Ann Arbor Charter Township, which is within Washtenaw County.

  • A sewage permit is required before installation.
  • A soil evaluation is required before building a home not served by a municipal or centralized sewage treatment facility.
  • Minimum isolation distances apply to wells, drainfields, and septic tanks.

  “Find information about obtaining a sewage permit, which is a requirement before you may install a sewage system.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  On-site sewage systems used as off-grid sanitation inside Ann Arbor Charter Township, which is within Washtenaw County.

  • A sewage permit is required before installation.
  • Installations and repairs must be performed by individuals certified by the Washtenaw County Environmental Health Division.
  • Minimum isolation distances apply.

  “When you install your well, drainfield, and/or septic tank, you must observe minimum isolation distances.”

Still unanswered

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

• Building permit — Residential construction inside Ann Arbor Charter Township, Michigan.
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder work inside Ann Arbor Charter Township, Michigan.
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy for structures inside Ann Arbor Charter Township, Michigan.
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in Township zoning districts.
• Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size in Township zoning districts.

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.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Ann Arbor Township means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

• Water Crystal Quest Filter any source — well, rain, or creek — to drinking-clean.
• Power Bluetti Solar generators and home battery backup for living off the grid.
• Septic Soil percolation test kit Run your own perc test before paying an engineer — the first thing a septic office asks about.
• Water Well water test kit Bacteria, nitrates, hardness — know what the well on a parcel is really pumping.

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