Bolthole Index

Macomb County, Michigan

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in New Baltimore, Michigan

New Baltimore is a city in Macomb County, Michigan. New Baltimore adopts its own zoning, so inside its limits New Baltimore’s rules apply, not the county’s. 4 rules below are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked, most recently on October 17, 2026. Rules for unincorporated land are on the Macomb County page.

Answers from the rulebook for New Baltimore

New Baltimore’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction work inside New Baltimore city

    • Which projects need a permit must be confirmed with the building department (586-725-2151 ext. 105).

    review time: <= 10 city business days

    “permits are required for various types of work within the city.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside New Baltimore city limits

    • City publishes a zoning map with residential, commercial, industrial and other districts and operates a Zoning Board of Appeals; full ordinance text (Chapter 60) was not read on an official host.
    “r-70 single family residential r-65 single family residential”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts inside New Baltimore city

    • Map shows districts including R-70, R-65, R-80 single family, RM-1, RM-2, MHC, CB, LC, GC, BT and industrial.
    “r-70 single family residential r-65 single family residential”
  • Permit processPartial

    Building permits inside New Baltimore city

    • Application forms listed on the page; inspection requests due by 1:00pm for next-day inspection.
    “*a permit can take up to ten (10) city business days to be reviewed*”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask New Baltimore or Macomb County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption inside New Baltimore city
  • Building code adopted — Building code inside New Baltimore city
  • Inspections — Building inspections inside New Baltimore city
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy inside New Baltimore city
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside New Baltimore city
21 more unanswered
  • Minimum lot size
  • Setbacks
  • Lot coverage
  • Building height
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land
  • 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 New Baltimore publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Macomb County’s page lists the county offices to call.

Off-grid gear

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

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