Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Ypsilanti, Michigan

Ypsilanti’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  New construction, alterations, and structural changes to an existing building inside Ypsilanti city limits.

  • Applicants uncertain whether a project requires a permit are directed to contact the Building Department.

  minimum application review time: >= 10 business days

  “A building permit is required for new construction, alterations, and structural changes to an existing building.”

• Building code adoptedPartial

  Construction inside Ypsilanti city limits.

  • The ordinance specifically identifies enforcement of Appendix G of the Michigan Building Code; this evidence does not establish wholesale adoption of every state-code component.

  “Appendix G of the Michigan Building Code shall be enforced by the enforcing agency within the City of Ypsilanti.”

• Certificate of occupancyRequired

  Occupancy or use of dwellings, buildings, structures, and land inside Ypsilanti city limits.

  • The occupancy or use must comply with the zoning chapter, including approved site plans where applicable.
  • A changed use or occupancy also requires a certificate of occupancy before occupation.

  “No dwelling, building, structure or land shall be occupied or used until a certificate of occupancy has been issued for such occupancy or use, which occupancy or use shall be in compliance with this chapter, including approved site plans as applicable.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Ypsilanti city limits.

  • Each parcel or property is in a specific zoning district and may have additional restrictions or permissions due to Limited Building Types, Special Use Permits, or Variances.

  “Each parcel or property in the City is in a specific zoning district, and may have additional restrictions or permissions on individual properties, due to Limited Building Types, Special Use Permits, or Variances.”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Land inside Ypsilanti city limits.

  • The City zoning map assigns each parcel or property a specific zoning district; individual parcels may have additional restrictions or permissions from Limited Building Types, Special Use Permits, or Variances.

  “For the purposes of this chapter, the City is hereby divided into the following zoning districts having the names and symbols here shown:”

• Living in an RVLimited

  Recreational vehicles on lots in R1, CN-SF, CN-Mid, CN, MD, or HHS zoning districts inside Ypsilanti city limits.

  • The RV must remain unoccupied and may not be connected to sanitary sewer facilities, electricity, water, or gas.
  • No more than two RVs per dwelling unit may be stored outdoors.
  • Outdoor RV size may not exceed 8 feet wide, 12 feet high, or 32 feet long.
  • An RV taller than 8 feet must be at least 10 feet from the front lot line.
  • Required parking spaces in CN, MD, or HHS districts may not be used for RV parking or storage.
  • RV must not be permanently affixed to the ground and must remain on a chassis or other wheeled conveyance.

  maximum outdoor RVs per dwelling unit: <= 2 RVs · maximum outdoor RV width: <= 8 feet · maximum outdoor RV height: <= 12 feet · maximum outdoor RV length: <= 32 feet

  “Trailer coaches, motor homes, and other vehicles or equipment designed or adaptable for sleeping purposes must remain unoccupied and must not be connected to sanitary sewer facilities, or to electricity, water, or gas.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Lot divisions and site-condominium subdivisions inside Ypsilanti city limits.

  • A division of a lot or parcel in a recorded plat is prohibited unless first approved by the City Assessor and City Planner in accordance with the Land Division Act.
  • Site-condominium projects must comply with district regulations unless modified by the planned-unit-development provisions.

  “the division of a lot or other parcel of land in a recorded plat is prohibited unless first approved by the City assessor and City Planner in accordance with the land division act”

• Building in a floodplainLimited

  Residential and nonresidential structures in portions of the floodplain that are not a floodway inside Ypsilanti city limits.

  • The use must be allowed in the underlying zoning district.
  • The building official must certify that proposed flood-resistant construction, floodproofing, or elevation meets or exceeds City building-code standards.

  “Residential and nonresidential structures provided that the building official certifies to the Planning Commission that the proposed provisions for flood resistant construction, flood proofing or elevation meet or exceed the standards set forth in the City's building code.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Building Department-related permits inside Ypsilanti city limits.

  • The City describes the schedule as annual.

  “All building department related fees can be found in the annual City Fee Schedule.”

Rules another office applies inside Ypsilanti

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

• Building heightSpecified

  Principal and attached accessory structures in the R1 Single-Family Residential District inside Ypsilanti city limits.

  • See exceptions in §122-613.
  • The highest point of an accessory dwelling unit may match, but may not exceed, the highest point of the principal structure.

  maximum height: 30 feet or 2.5 stories, whichever is shorter (See exceptions in §122-613.)

  “Maximum height 30 feet or 2.5 stories, whichever is shorter”

• Manufactured homesAllowed (with conditions)

  Manufactured and premanufactured dwellings in the R1 Single-Family Residential District inside Ypsilanti city limits.

  • The dwelling must be located and installed under the same standards that would apply to a site-built single-family dwelling on the same lot.

  “Manufactured and premanufactured dwellings may be located and installed according to same standards that would apply to a site-built single-family dwelling on the same lot.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential work inside Ypsilanti city limits.
• Inspections — Building work inside Ypsilanti city limits.
• Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings inside Ypsilanti city limits.
• Minimum lot size — Residential lots inside Ypsilanti city limits.
• Setbacks — Residential development inside Ypsilanti city limits.

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.