Start with where the lot is.
Grand Traverse County has no county-wide zoning. Your city, village, or township decides whether you can build a detached garage, how big it can be, and whether it can include living space. Building permits are issued by Grand Traverse County Construction Code for most of the county, and by Garfield Charter Township inside Garfield.
Permits are applied for by the owner or builder. We don't apply for or manage permits.
Detached garages
Township ordinances usually limit an accessory building's size, often tied to the lot size, along with its height and setbacks. Some don't allow an accessory building on a lot until the house is built. Adding a finished room or a bathroom above the garage can change how the building is classified, so tell the zoning office what you plan to use the space for.
Accessory dwelling units
- City of Traverse City: ADUs have been allowed since 2015, and the city has loosened its rules in recent years. Check the current ordinance for size, parking, and registration requirements.
- Townships: each sets its own rules. Some allow ADUs, some require special approval, and some don't allow them. Check your township's zoning ordinance before designing one.
Septic and well
If the property is on septic, an ADU with a bathroom or kitchen, or a new bedroom over a garage, usually means the Grand Traverse County Health Department checks whether the existing system can handle it. If it can't, plan for a new or expanded system and leave room for it on the site plan.
Design tips
- Plan for later. If you might finish the space above a garage someday, design the stairs, ceiling height, and plumbing rough-ins now. It costs far less than retrofitting.
- Match the house. A roof pitch, siding, and trim that match the main house make the new building look like it was always there.
- Mind the driveway. Where the garage goes decides where the driveway goes, and on sloped or wooded lots that can matter more than the building.
Rules change, so confirm the details with your township or the city before you design. Our Grand Traverse County guide links to every township's zoning page. If you're planning a garage or an ADU, tell us about it.