Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Clio, Michigan
Clio is a city in Genesee County, Michigan. Clio adopts its own zoning, so inside its limits Clio’s rules apply, not the county’s. Septic permits inside Clio come from the county and state together. 4 rules below are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked, most recently on October 23, 2026. Rules for unincorporated land are on the Genesee County page.
Answers from the rulebook for Clio
Clio’s own rules
Building code adoptedAdopted
Existing buildings and structures in Clio city (property maintenance, not new construction)
Adopted with local changes listed in Section 20.202 (for example, the Board of Appeals is the City Commission and violations are municipal civil infractions).
Later editions may be adopted by resolution of the Clio City Commission.
“international property maintenance code 2021 edition as published by the international code council, inc., be and is hereby adopted as the property maintenance code of the city of clio”
One more reviewed finding on this topic
Adopted — Building, plumbing, mechanical and electrical construction inside Clio city limits
“the city adopts by reference the state construction code, in accordance with section 8b(6) of public act 230 of 1972”
Local zoningPresent (with conditions)
Land inside Clio city limits (City of Clio, Genesee County, Michigan), per the city's own website listing of a zoning ordinance, zoning map, zoning permit and zoning board of appeals
The city website lists a zoning ordinance, zoning map and zoning permit application; the ordinance text itself was not opened, so district rules and use tables are not established here.
The city's American Legal Publishing code (Chapters 1 through 90 in the table of contents) has no standalone zoning chapter, so the zoning ordinance is kept outside the code of ordinances.
Homes inside Clio city limits where no public sanitary sewer is available
The city sewer ordinance requires private sewage disposal to follow specifications of the Genesee County Health Department and the city health officer, so the county health department and the city both set the standard.
The county health department's own service-area or permit page was not opened within budget.
“where a public sanitary sewer is not available under the provisions of § 60.103 (d), the building sewer shall be connected to a private sewage disposal system, according to specifications of the genesee county health department and the city health officer”
Still unanswered
We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Clio or Genesee County directly.
Building permit — New home construction inside Clio city limits
Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder construction inside Clio city limits
Inspections — New home construction inside Clio city limits
Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of new homes inside Clio city limits
Zoning districts — Zoning districts and official zoning map for land inside Clio city limits
20 more unanswered
Minimum dwelling size
Minimum lot size
Setbacks
Lot coverage
Building height
Living in an RV
Camping on your land
Tiny homes
Manufactured homes
Accessory dwellings
Septic permit
Septic inspection
Well permit
Mandatory utility hookup
Agricultural exemption
Subdividing land
Driveway access
Short-term rentals
Permit fees
Permit process
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 Clio publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Genesee County’s page lists the county offices to call.
Off-grid gear
Going off-grid in Clio means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:
