Home design in Antrim County.

Here is who you will deal with, what they ask for, and the local conditions that affect design.

Permits are applied for by the owner or builder. We don't apply for or manage permits.

Who issues the building permit

The Antrim County Construction Code Department, 203 E. Cayuga Street, Bellaire, 231-533-8373.

Zoning

There is no county-wide zoning, and not every township is zoned. According to the county, zoning is in place in the five villages (Bellaire, Central Lake, Elk Rapids, Ellsworth, and Mancelona) and in seven townships (Banks, Elk Rapids, Forest Home, Helena, Kearney, Milton, and Torch Lake). Where zoning applies, you need the zoning permit before the building permit. Ask the county which applies to your parcel.

Township, city, and village zoning

These townships and villages have their own zoning ordinance. The link goes to its zoning page where one exists.

The county lists the remaining eight townships (Central Lake, Chestonia, Custer, Echo, Jordan, Mancelona, Star, and Warner) as having no township zoning. Outside the villages, a project there generally needs only the county building permit and the health department and soil erosion permits. Confirm with the county before you rely on that.

Well and septic

The Health Department of Northwest Michigan issues well and septic permits from its Bellaire office, 231-533-8670. In Milton Township, Torch Lake Township, the Village of Elk Rapids, and Elk Rapids Township, a septic and well evaluation is required when a property is sold.

Soil erosion permit

The county's Soil Erosion Control Office, part of the Construction Code Department, issues these. A permit is required for earth changes within 500 feet of a lake or stream, or when one acre or more is disturbed.

Building code

Michigan building departments are currently reviewing homes under the 2015 Michigan Residential Code and the 2015 residential energy code. A newer 2021 edition was adopted but is on hold under a court order, so check with the building department if your project is still months out.

What the permit office asks for

The county's building requirements call for plans that include:

• Foundation plan and floor plans
• Roof and wall sections, and building elevations
• A site plan
• An energy code sheet (REScheck or the prescriptive method)

You will also need your septic permit, a zoning permit where zoning applies, a soil erosion permit if applicable, and the property tax ID. Waterfront properties must provide elevations.

Things to watch for

• Jordan River. It is a state-designated Natural River. Lots within 400 feet fall in the Natural River district, with a 200-foot building setback on the mainstream and 100 feet on tributaries, plus a required vegetation strip.
• Waterfront lots. The county requires elevation information for waterfront properties and near flood hazard areas.
• Critical dunes. The state maps a Critical Dune Area in Torch Lake Township, where an EGLE permit is required.
• New homes. The county requires a blower door test before issuing a certificate of occupancy.

Do you need an architect here?

Under Michigan law (MCL 339.2012(1)(d)), a detached one- or two-family home of up to 3,500 square feet of calculated floor area can be designed by someone who isn't a licensed architect or engineer, without an architect's or engineer's seal (Michigan Attorney General Opinion No. 7208, 2007). Calculated floor area counts only habitable space; basements, garages, porches, decks, bathrooms, closets and hallways don't count. Most homes, additions, and remodels we draw fall under that exemption. More in our FAQ.

How we help

• Construction drawings formatted for the building department: floor plans, foundation plan, elevations, and sections from footing to roof peak
• A scaled site plan with dimensions to property lines, for zoning and for the building permit
• As-built drawings of the existing home for additions and remodels
• Early flags for anything that needs an engineer, a state permit, or a setback check, before you spend money on full drawings

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