Bolthole Index

Washtenaw County, Michigan

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

Pittsfield Township, Michigan requires a building permit for construction, issued by the township's own Department of Building Services1. The township also adopts and enforces its own zoning ordinance, with rules that change by district2. Septic and well permits for a home off public sewer are handled at the Washtenaw County level, not by the township3.

At a glance

Building permit
Required; issued by the Pittsfield Township Department of Building Services14
Zoning
Yes, the township's own zoning ordinance with districts including RC, AG, R-1A and R-1B25
Septic
Permit required from Washtenaw County Environmental Health67
Certificate of occupancy
Required before a building is used or occupied8
Accessory dwelling
Conditional use approval in residential districts9
Public water and sewer
Township tap with a permit from the Utilities Department10
RV and tiny home living
Not confirmed; ask township zoning11

Who to call

Building permits

Pittsfield Charter Township Department of Building Services

Building permits, plan review and inspections inside Pittsfield Township

734.822.3125

[email protected]

6201 W. Michigan Ave. Ann Arbor, MI 48108

Zoning

Pittsfield Charter Township Community Development (planning and zoning)

Zoning questions, planning and code enforcement inside Pittsfield Township

734.822.3135

[email protected]

6201 W. Michigan Ave. Ann Arbor, MI, 48108-9721

Septic permits

Washtenaw County Environmental Health Division

Soil evaluations and permits for domestic wells and onsite sewage systems in Washtenaw County

734-222-3800

705 N Zeeb Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48103

Roads & driveways

Washtenaw County Road Commission

Right-of-way permits, including residential driveway permits, for county roads

(734) 327-6642

555 N. Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 23, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Does Pittsfield Township, MI have zoning, and what does it mean for lot size and setbacks?

Pittsfield Township has its own zoning ordinance, Chapter Z of the township code, and it applies to land inside the township2. The township is divided into districts that include RC, AG, R-1A, R-1B, R-2, R-3, MHP, C-1, C-2, I, BD, PF, PUD and form-based districts5. Which one covers a parcel decides what you can build, so look up the parcel on the township's zoning map before you make an offer.

Lot rules differ by district. In R-1A, the rural non-farm residential district, a single-family lot needs a minimum of one acre12, with a 50-foot front yard and a 50-foot rear yard13. In R-1B, the suburban residential district, the minimum for a single-family lot is 10,000 square feet14. In AG, keeping livestock requires at least 2.5 acres15, and dwellings may reach 40 feet in height while farm buildings may reach 75 feet16.

We could not confirm a minimum dwelling size; ask township zoning at [email protected]11.

Do you need a building permit in Pittsfield Township, and who issues it?

Yes. Before starting construction of or in a building or structure in Pittsfield Township, the owner or agent applies in writing to the township's Department of Building Services for a building permit1. The department enforces the Michigan construction code inside the township, so the permit comes from the township, not from Washtenaw County17.

The department's job is to enforce the Michigan Building Code, issue permits, review plans and inspect new and existing buildings4. The township's zoning ordinance and land development standards must be met before a building permit is issued1. Michigan's 2021 Michigan Building Code is the current edition18.

Owner-builders: Michigan lets a person build a home for their own use and occupancy on their own property without a residential-builder license, but that does not remove the building-permit requirement19. We could not confirm whether the township has its own owner-builder procedure; ask Building Services. The fee schedule is posted on the township's Building Services page, and we could not confirm current amounts.

How do septic permits work in Pittsfield Township?

Septic permits in Washtenaw County come from the county, and sewage system installers must be certified by the Washtenaw County Environmental Health Division3. A sewage permit is required before you install a sewage system, and a soil evaluation comes first for any home not served by a municipal or centralized sewage treatment facility6. After an approved soil evaluation, you can apply for the well and sewage permits7.

Much of the township is on public utilities. Connecting to township water or sewer needs a township tap by a licensed contractor or the township, with a permit from the Utilities Department before any tap is made, and a system capacity charge is due before a water connection10. We could not confirm whether a particular parcel has public sewer available; ask the township's Utilities Department.

For a parcel that needs a private system, the county's Environmental Health Division is the first call7. Where Washtenaw County soils are concerned, USDA rates only 12.3% of soils as not limited for a conventional drain field, so expect a site evaluation and possibly an engineered system20.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Pittsfield Township?

We could not confirm a township rule on long-term RV living, temporary camping or tiny homes in Pittsfield Township, so do not assume any of them is allowed. Ask township zoning at [email protected] before you buy11.

Two things are confirmed. Manufactured homes are permitted in a manufactured housing park under the township's MHP district, subject to the township's park standards21. Accessory dwelling units on the same lot as a principal dwelling need conditional use approval in the residential districts where the use table allows them9.

Michigan's campground rules do not answer the question of living in an RV on your own lot. They apply when five or more recreational units are used for temporary living quarters on a parcel, and the local township may require special zoning approval22. A tiny house, even one on wheels, is not a recreational unit under state guidance and needs local zoning, building, electrical and plumbing approvals23.

Building a home in Pittsfield Township: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm the parcel's zoning district with township zoning and check lot size, setbacks and height for that district11.
  2. If the parcel is not on public sewer, get a soil evaluation from Washtenaw County Environmental Health, then apply for the well and sewage permits67.
  3. If public water or sewer is available, ask the township Utilities Department about a tap permit and the capacity charge10.
  4. Check whether the driveway opens onto a county road or a state highway. A county road needs a right-of-way permit from the Road Commission24; a driveway onto a state trunkline needs an MDOT permit in addition to the local building permit25.
  5. Apply in writing to Building Services for a building permit1.
  6. Pass the inspections the department requires26.
  7. Request a certificate of use and occupancy; the township issues it within five business days of final approval for a single-family home8. Nobody may occupy the building before it is issued27.

What stays with Washtenaw County, and what to check before you buy in Pittsfield Township?

The township decides zoning and building permits21. Septic and well permits stay with the Washtenaw County Environmental Health Division37. Driveway permits for county roads come from the Washtenaw County Road Commission24. For land outside the township, see the Washtenaw County page.

Before you buy, check four things. First, the zoning district, since it controls lot size and what you can build5. Second, floodplain: in Michigan, new residential construction is prohibited in a floodway, and the lowest floor generally must sit at least one foot above the 100-year flood elevation28. We could not confirm floodplain rules specific to the township. Third, land division and subdivision, which the township regulates through its Chapters 12 and 1329. Fourth, taxes: Washtenaw County's effective property tax rate is 1.6%30.

Watch-outs

  • Searches for "Pittsfield Township" often return other Michigan or Massachusetts places named Pittsfield; the rules above are for Pittsfield Charter Township in Washtenaw County, Michigan2.
  • Setbacks and lot-coverage figures can be modified by supplemental district standards, so confirm the exact numbers for your parcel with township zoning before you design13.
  • We could not confirm township rules on RV living, camping, tiny homes, short-term rentals or minimum dwelling size; call township zoning before relying on any of them11.
  • A well permit or notice to the local health department is required before drilling in Michigan, so ask Washtenaw County Environmental Health before you hire a driller317.

Sources

  1. Chapter 6 Building Regulations, Article II Department of Building Services; Permits and Certificates (eCode360) (Pittsfield Township), quoted and re-checked
  2. Chapter Z Zoning, Article IV District Regulations (eCode360) (Pittsfield Township), quoted and re-checked
  3. Installing a Septic System in Washtenaw County, quoted and re-checked
  4. Pittsfield Charter Township Department of Building Services (pittsfield-mi.gov)
  5. Chapter Z Zoning, Article IV District Regulations (eCode360) (Pittsfield Township), quoted and re-checked
  6. Installing a Septic System in Washtenaw County, quoted and re-checked
  7. Washtenaw County Environmental Health Division (washtenaw.org)
  8. Chapter 6 Building Regulations, Article II Department of Building Services; Permits and Certificates (eCode360) (Pittsfield Township), quoted and re-checked
  9. Chapter Z Zoning, Article IV District Regulations (eCode360) (Pittsfield Township), quoted and re-checked
  10. Chapter 36 Utilities, Part 1 Water and Sewerage System (eCode360) (Pittsfield Township), quoted and re-checked
  11. Pittsfield Charter Township Community Development (planning and zoning) (pittsfield-mi.gov)
  12. Chapter Z Zoning, Article IV District Regulations (eCode360) (Pittsfield Township), quoted and re-checked
  13. Chapter Z Zoning, Article IV District Regulations (eCode360) (Pittsfield Township), quoted and re-checked
  14. Chapter Z Zoning, Article IV District Regulations (eCode360) (Pittsfield Township), quoted and re-checked
  15. Chapter Z Zoning, Article IV District Regulations (eCode360) (Pittsfield Township), quoted and re-checked
  16. Chapter Z Zoning, Article IV District Regulations (eCode360) (Pittsfield Township), quoted and re-checked
  17. Chapter 6 Building Regulations, Article II Department of Building Services; Permits and Certificates (eCode360) (Pittsfield Township), quoted and re-checked
  18. Code Books (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. Frequently Asked Questions – Residential Builder, quoted and re-checked
  20. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  21. Chapter Z Zoning, Article IV District Regulations (eCode360) (Pittsfield Township), quoted and re-checked
  22. Temporary campgrounds (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  23. michigan.gov (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  24. Washtenaw County Road Commission (wcroads.org)
  25. Infrastructure permits (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  26. Chapter 6 Building Regulations, Article II Department of Building Services; Permits and Certificates (eCode360) (Pittsfield Township), quoted and re-checked
  27. Certificate of Occupancy Request (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  28. Floodplains (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  29. Township of Pittsfield, MI Code of Ordinances table of contents (eCode360) (Pittsfield Township), quoted and re-checked
  30. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  31. Before you start a well drilling business (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked

Written October 23, 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 Pittsfield Township

Pittsfield Township’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Building permits issued by the Township Department of Building Services for construction inside Pittsfield charter township.

    • Before a building permit is issued, the applicant must comply with the Township zoning ordinance and land development standards (§ 6-9(d)).
    • Fees under § 6-8 and exact permit categories were not opened.
    “before commencing any construction of, or in, a building or structure, the owner or agent shall submit an application in writing to the department for a building permit.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Work under a Township building permit inside Pittsfield charter township.

    • Certificate of use and occupancy follows final building inspections (§ 6-10(c)).
    • Temporary certificates available for parts of a building (§ 6-10(b)).
    “the department shall issue a certificate of use and occupancy within five business days for single-family residential and 10 business days for all other uses, after approval of the final building inspections and receipt of a written application therefor”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Occupancy of any building or structure, including altered buildings, inside Pittsfield charter township.

    • Final certificate issued within five business days for single-family residential and 10 business days for all other uses after final approval (§ 6-10(c)).
    • Temporary certificate may be issued on request before all work is complete if parts may be occupied safely (§ 6-10(b)).
    • An existing use not discontinued during alteration may continue 30 days after completion without a certificate (§ 6-10(a)).

    final certificate issuance time, single-family residential: <= 5 business days (10 business days for all other uses)

    “a building or structure shall not be used or occupied in whole or in part until a certificate of use and occupancy has been issued by the department.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside Pittsfield charter township limits (Township of Pittsfield, MI). Chapter Z Zoning of the Township code (§ 40-1.01 to § 40-18.06) is the Township's own zoning ordinance.

    • Use and dimensional limits vary by zoning district (see the district claims for R-1A, R-1B and AG).
    • Zoning-only topics (dwelling size, lot size, setbacks, lot coverage, height, occupancy, accessory dwellings) are answered from this chapter, not from county zoning.
    “the township is hereby divided into the following zoning districts as shown on the official zoning map, which together with all explanatory matter shown thereon, is hereby adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this chapter.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts inside Pittsfield charter township: RC, AG, R-1A, R-1B, R-2, R-3, MHP, C-1, C-2, I, BD, PF, PUD and form-based (FB) districts.

    • The official zoning map is adopted by reference in § 40-4.02; the map itself was not opened.
    “rc recreation conservation district ag agricultural district r-1a single-family rural non-farm residential district r-1b single-family suburban residential district”
  • Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    R-1A single-family rural non-farm residential district (§ 40-4.08) inside Pittsfield charter township.

    • Minimum lot area of one acre for single-family use; three acres for other principal uses.
    • Minimum lot width 150 feet (table column read from flattened table; alignment inferred).
    • Lots are described as typically able to accommodate well and septic.

    minimum lot area, single-family use: >= 1 acre (three acres for other principal uses) · minimum lot width: >= 150 feet

    “1 or 3 1 150 20 25 50 20 40 50 35 2.5 n/a note: 1 minimum lot area of one acre for single-family use and three acres for other principal uses.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • District specific (with conditions) — R-1B single-family suburban residential district (§ 40-4.09) inside Pittsfield charter township.
      “10,000 or 1 acre 1 70 30% 40% 35 5 15 35 35 2.5 n/a note: 1 minimum lot area of 10,000 square feet for single-family use and one acre for other principal uses.”
    • District specific (with conditions) — AG agricultural district (§ 40-4.07) inside Pittsfield charter township.
      “2.5 200 10% 15% 50 30 60 50 40 1 3 1 n/a note: 1 maximum 40 feet (three stories) for dwelling and non-farm buildings and structures and maximum 75 feet for farm buildings and structures.”
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    R-1A single-family rural non-farm residential district (§ 40-4.08) inside Pittsfield charter township.

    • Front yard 50 feet; side yards 20 feet least and 40 feet total; rear yard 50 feet.
    • Values read from flattened table; column alignment inferred from column order and should be confirmed against the table image.
    • Supplemental district standards (§ 40-4.08(d)) and § 40-4.19 may modify these.

    front yard setback: >= 50 feet · side yard setback, least: >= 20 feet (40 feet total for both sides) · rear yard setback: >= 50 feet

    “1 or 3 1 150 20 25 50 20 40 50 35 2.5 n/a”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • Lot coverageDistrict specific (with conditions)

    AG agricultural district (§ 40-4.07) inside Pittsfield charter township.

    • Maximum lot coverage 10 percent; maximum gross impervious surface ratio 15 percent (column alignment inferred from flattened table).

    maximum lot coverage: <= 10 percent · maximum gross impervious surface ratio: <= 15 percent

    “2.5 200 10% 15% 50 30 60 50 40 1 3 1 n/a”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

    AG agricultural district (§ 40-4.07) inside Pittsfield charter township, dwellings and non-farm buildings.

    • Farm buildings and structures may reach 75 feet.
    • Note 1 of Table 4.07 applies.

    maximum building height, dwelling and non-farm buildings: <= 40 feet (75 feet for farm buildings and structures)

    “maximum 40 feet (three stories) for dwelling and non-farm buildings and structures and maximum 75 feet for farm buildings and structures.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured or mobile homes in a manufactured housing park inside Pittsfield charter township (MHP mobile home park residential district, § 40-4.12).

    • Manufactured housing parks are permitted under the use table, subject to the specific use standard in § 40-11.13 (mobile home parks).
    • Use-table column alignment for this row was not confirmed; use outside a park was not addressed in the sections opened.
    “manufactured housing park p § 40-11.13 senior assisted living”
  • Accessory dwellingsLimited

    Accessory dwelling units on the same lot as a principal dwelling inside Pittsfield charter township, in residential districts listed as conditional in the use table (§ 40-4.20).

    • Accessory dwelling units require conditional use approval under Article X (use table marks them 'c').
    • Specific standards are in § 40-11.10, whose conditions were not read in detail.
    • Column alignment of the three 'c' marks in the use table was not confirmed.
    “residential accessory dwelling units c c c § 40-11.10 bed-and-breakfast”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Connecting a home inside Pittsfield charter township to Township public water and/or sewer.

    • Connection requires a Township tap, performed by a licensed contractor or the Township, with a permit from the Utilities Department before any tap is made.
    • Water connections require payment of a system capacity charge before connecting (§ 36-7(e)).
    • No mandatory-connection rule or connection-distance rule was found in the Chapter 36 sections opened; service availability was not verified.
    • The township contributes sewage flow to Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority systems, which set their own connection rates (§ 36-8).
    “prior to any taps being made, contractors must first apply to the township utilities department for a permit to perform the tap.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Land division and subdivision inside Pittsfield charter township.

    • Subdivision is governed by Chapter 12 and land division by Chapter 13 of the Township code; their text was not opened.
    “chapter 12 subdivision (§ 12-1 &ndash; § 12-49) chapter 13 land division (§ 13-1 &ndash; § 13-7)”

Rules another office applies inside Pittsfield Township

Pittsfield Township does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Construction within Pittsfield charter township; the Township Department of Building Services administers and enforces the state construction code inside the Township.

    • The state construction code is enforced by the Township department under § 6-3(b); the Township does not adopt its own building code in the sections opened.
    • Edition-specific adoption details are in Chapter 6, Article I (State Construction Code), not opened.
    “the department shall administer and enforce state construction code adopted pursuant to the stille-derossett-hale single state construction code act, mcl 125.1501 et seq.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder permit exemption for a home inside Pittsfield charter township.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Pittsfield charter township.
  • Living in an RV — Long-term RV occupancy on private land inside Pittsfield charter township.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Pittsfield charter township.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny home occupancy inside Pittsfield charter township.
10 more unanswered
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • 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 Pittsfield Township publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Washtenaw County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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