Bolthole Index

Washtenaw County, Michigan

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

Dexter Township is a township in Washtenaw County, Michigan. Dexter Township adopts its own zoning, so inside its limits Dexter Township’s rules apply, not the county’s. Septic permits inside Dexter Township come from Washtenaw County (Washtenaw County Environmental Health Department · 734-222-3800). 19 rules below are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked, most recently on October 31, 2026. Rules for unincorporated land are on the Washtenaw County page.

Answers from the rulebook for Dexter Township

Dexter Township’s own rules

  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside Dexter township limits: the township administers its own Dexter Township Zoning Ordinance 2020 (Ordinance #43).

    • Adopted October 13, 2020 as amended through November 19, 2024 per the township ordinance index; the zoning ordinance PDF on the township site is stated as amended through October 7, 2026.
    • Zoning permit and preliminary certificate of zoning compliance are required before a building permit (Zoning Administrative Procedure Guide 2025).
    • Zoning-only topics are answered from the township ordinance; the City of Dexter ordinance does not apply.
    “zoning ordinance – adopted oct 13, 2020 as amended through november 19, 2024”
  • Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Lake Residential (LR) district, Article 7 section 7.02 site development standards, inside Dexter township limits (the township's main residential district by lot size).

    • Lot size depends on sewage system: one acre if on-site septic; half acre if off-site septic or sewer.

    minimum lot area, on-site septic: >= 43560 square feet (1 acre; for lots served by on-site septic) · minimum lot area, off-site septic or sewer: >= 21780 square feet (0.5 acres; for lots served by off-site septic or sewer)

    “minimum lot area 43,560 square feet (1 acre) for lots served by on-site septic 21,780 square feet (0.5 acres) for lots served by off-site septic or sewer”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Agricultural (AG) district, Article 5 section 5.02, inside Dexter township limits.

    • Front yard setback is footnoted: 50 feet abutting listed gravel roads and 80 feet abutting listed paved roads (footnotes 2 and 3, section 5.07), measured from the right-of-way or access easement.
    • Water body setback is 50 feet or as described in section 16.34, whichever is less, never less than 35 feet; wetland setback 10 feet; building-to-building 10 feet.

    side yard setback: 15 feet · rear yard setback: 30 feet

    “side yard setback fifteen (15) feet rear yard setback 30 feet”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • Lot coverageDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Agricultural (AG) district, Article 5 section 5.02, inside Dexter township limits.

    • Building coverage limit is ten percent except for residential uses described in section 16.12; impervious surfaces limit is 25 percent.

    maximum building lot coverage: <= 10 percent (except for residential uses as described in section 16.12) · maximum impervious surface coverage: <= 25 percent

    “maximum height 30 feet maximum lot coverage ten (10) percent for buildings except for residential uses as described in section 16.12.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Agricultural (AG) district, Article 5 section 5.02, inside Dexter township limits.

    maximum building height: <= 30 feet

    “maximum height 30 feet maximum lot coverage ten (10) percent for buildings except for residential uses as described in section 16.12.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    New homes on parcels inside a sewered area district of Dexter township; the sewer-authority approval is required for sewered-area parcels.

    • Sewered-area parcels need a stamp of approval from the Multi-Lakes Sewer Authority (12088 North Territorial Road, Dexter) or the Portage Base Lakes Sewer Authority (10450 Merrill Road, Hamburg), depending on district.
    • The mandatory-connection distance rule and the water-connection rule were not located within the research budget.
    • Parcels outside a sewered area district are served by on-site septic and well (see septic_permit).
    “if in sewered area district, must have stamp of approval from: a. multi-lakes sewer authority, 12088 north territorial road, dexter b. portage base lakes sewer authority, 10450 merrill road, hamburg”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Land divisions and subdivisions inside Dexter township limits.

    • Township ordinance index lists a subdivision control ordinance (Ordinance #12) and a land division transfer ordinance; their text was not opened.
    “subdivision control amendment to subdivision control – publicly dedicated roads and streets”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Driveways and parking provision shown on the zoning permit site plan for land inside Dexter township limits.

    • Driveway location and parking provision must be shown on the site plan; the township's separate driveway permit rules were not opened.
    “location of driveway(s) and parking provision.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Zoning permit fees for construction inside Dexter township limits

    • The fee amounts are in the township fee schedule, which was not opened; the guide refers readers to it.
    • Construction on vacant land also pays the then-current recycling fee plus the fee for the two inspections.
    “please consult the dexter township fee schedule for the amount due.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Zoning permit process for construction inside Dexter township limits

    • Site plan with three copies, dimensions, well, septic, sewer-district approvals where applicable, and fee are required before approval (Zoning Administrative Procedure Guide 2025, section i.a-e).
    • Preliminary certificates of zoning compliance expire 365 days from issuance (section ii.c.4).
    “after approval of plans, a zoning permit will be issued and plans stamped with preliminary certificate of zoning compliance.”

Rules another office applies inside Dexter Township

Dexter 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 systems on land inside Dexter township limits; Washtenaw County Environmental Health administers the sewage program countywide, including Dexter township.

    • Sewage system installations and repairs must be performed by individuals certified by the Washtenaw County Environmental Health Division.
    • Parcels inside a sewered area district follow the township sewer-authority stamp requirement instead (see utility_connection claim).
    “sewage system installations and repairs must be performed by individuals certified by the washtenaw county environmental health division.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Installing a new septic system on land inside Dexter township limits that is not on a sewer system.

    • A soil evaluation is required before building a home that is not served by a municipal or centralized sewage treatment facility (Washtenaw County Environmental Health).
    • Site plan must show well and septic tank and drain field locations (Dexter Township Zoning Administrative Procedure Guide 2025, section i.a.5).
    • Installation must observe minimum isolation distances from wells and drainfields (Washtenaw County Environmental Health); the county's Sewage & Well Permits application requirements and fees were not opened.
    “find information about obtaining a sewage permit, which is a requirement before you may install a sewage system.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder permit exemption for work inside Dexter township limits
  • Building code adopted — Building code applicable to construction inside Dexter township limits
  • Inspections — Building inspections for construction inside Dexter township limits
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for new homes inside Dexter township limits
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling floor area inside Dexter township limits
10 more unanswered
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Building in a floodplain
  • Short-term rentals

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 Dexter Township publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Washtenaw County’s page lists the county offices to call.

Off-grid gear

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

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