Bolthole Index

Tuscola County, Michigan

Building permits, zoning and septic in Village of Mayville, Michigan

Village of Mayville, Michigan requires a building permit before construction and specified alterations or changes of use, with ordinary-repair exceptions.1 Mayville administers village zoning and requires applicable zoning approvals before the building application.23 In Tuscola County, private septic and well permitting stays with the Health Department, but Mayville requires public-sewer connection where the ordinance’s availability conditions apply.45

At a glance

Building permits
Required for construction and specified alterations or use changes; ordinary-repair exceptions apply1
Zoning
Village zoning; secure required zoning approvals before the building application23
SFR lot size
Minimum 8,000 square feet, 80 feet wide and 100 feet deep6
Wastewater
Public-sewer connection required when availability conditions apply; private sewage permits through Tuscola County Health Department54
Owner-builder
Michigan licensing exemption for construction for your own use and occupancy on your property; other approvals still apply7
Occupancy
Certificate of occupancy required for new construction and changes of use8

Who to call

Building permits

Village of Mayville building application process

Village building applications, plan review and coordination with county trade-permit services

Septic permits

Tuscola County Health Department Environmental Health

Private well and sewage permit applications

(989) 673-8119

1309 Cleaver Road Ste B, Caro, MI 48723

Also useful

Village of Mayville Department of Public Works

Public water and sewer service questions

989-843-6621

5950 Fox St. Mayville, MI 48744

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 11, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Do you need a building permit in Village of Mayville, MI?

Mayville requires a building permit before construction, alteration, repair, moving a building into the village or changing a building’s use; ordinary repairs may qualify for Michigan code exceptions.1 Required zoning approvals come before the building-permit application, so settle the proposed use and site layout first.3 Building-permit fees follow a Village Council schedule and are due when the permit is issued.9 Permitted work also requires inspections identified in the final plan review, with approved plans kept on site for the inspector.10

Who handles Village of Mayville building applications and zoning?

Start a Mayville project with the Village Zoning Administrator / Enforcement Officer at 989.553-0074 or zoning@villageofmayville.org.11 The Village also offers a pre-conference meeting arranged through the village offices at 989.843.6423.11 Mayville’s development process routes construction plans to Tuscola County and Fire Safety for review; electrical, plumbing and mechanical permit questions go to Tuscola County.12 Private septic and well applications go separately to Tuscola County Health Department Environmental Health at (989) 673-8119.13 Public water and sewer questions belong with Mayville DPW at 989-843-6621.14

Does Village of Mayville have zoning, lot-size rules and setbacks?

Mayville has village zoning and publishes a zoning map; residential districts include Single-Family Residential (SFR), Multi-Family Residential (MFR) and Manufactured Home (MH).215 In SFR, minimum lot area is 8,000 square feet, with minimum width of 80 feet and depth of 100 feet.6 SFR minimum yards are 25 feet front and 30 feet rear, with at least one side yard of 10 feet and combined side yards of 15 feet.16 MFR instead has a 4,000-square-foot minimum lot, 50-foot minimum width and 80-foot minimum depth.17 Ask the Village Zoning Administrator to identify the parcel’s district before designing the house or comparing lots.11

How do sewer and septic permits work inside Village of Mayville?

Check public-sewer availability before planning private septic in Mayville: occupied or otherwise used property abutting a street, alley or right-of-way with public sanitary or combined sewer must connect when the sewer is within 200 feet of the property line, within 90 days after official notice.5 Mayville DPW operates the public sewer and water systems.14 Where a private sewage system is applicable, Tuscola County Health Department handles sewage permitting, and installation must wait for permit issuance.418 The published sewage permit fee is $447; the soil-evaluation process requires 2 test holes approximately 4 feet deep and at least 40 feet apart in the proposed tile-field area.1920

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Village of Mayville?

We could not confirm Mayville’s complete rules for residential RV occupancy or private-land camping; ask the Village Zoning Administrator about the proposed use before buying an RV as temporary housing.11 For a small permanent dwelling, ask the same office to confirm the applicable district and dwelling-size requirement.1511 Mayville requires a building permit for construction and specified changes of use, and new construction or a change of use requires a certificate of occupancy.18 Michigan’s owner-builder licensing exemption applies to construction for your own use and occupancy on your property; the exemption does not remove building-permit, inspection, zoning or utility requirements.7

Building a home in Village of Mayville: what are the steps?

  1. Confirm the zoning district and obtain required zoning approvals before submitting the building application.153
  2. Resolve water, sewer and applicable DPW approvals; if private well or sewage service is proposed, contact Tuscola County Health Department about the necessary applications.34
  3. Submit building plans and applicable driveway and other approvals for review, then pay building-permit fees at issuance.3
  4. Keep approved plans available, complete required inspections and keep the building permit posted until the certificate of occupancy is issued.108

For land outside village limits, use the Tuscola County guide and identify the applicable local zoning authority; zoning administration varies across the county.21

Watch-outs

  • Public sewer availability can make connection mandatory in Mayville; do not assume a private septic system is an alternative.5
  • Confirm RV occupancy, temporary camping and the proposed tiny home’s dwelling-size requirement with the Village Zoning Administrator before committing to the project.11
  • Michigan prohibits new residential construction in a regulated floodway; floodplain review can add EGLE approval to local requirements.22

Sources

  1. Village of Mayville Zoning Ordinance (Village of Mayville), quoted and re-checked
  2. Zoning Ordinances | Village of Mayville (Village of Mayville), quoted and re-checked
  3. Mayville Development Guidebook (Village of Mayville), quoted and re-checked
  4. Wells and Septic, quoted and re-checked
  5. Mayville Code, Sec. 70-313, Connection to public sewer required (Village of Mayville), quoted and re-checked
  6. Village of Mayville Zoning Ordinance (Village of Mayville), quoted and re-checked
  7. Frequently Asked Questions – Residential Builder (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  8. Mayville Development Guidebook (Village of Mayville), quoted and re-checked
  9. Village of Mayville Zoning Ordinance (Village of Mayville), quoted and re-checked
  10. Mayville Development Guidebook (Village of Mayville), quoted and re-checked
  11. Village of Mayville Zoning Administrator / Enforcement Officer (villageofmayville.org)
  12. Village of Mayville building application process (villageofmayville.org)
  13. Tuscola County Health Department Environmental Health (tchd.us)
  14. Village of Mayville Department of Public Works (villageofmayville.org)
  15. Zoning Ordinances | Village of Mayville (Village of Mayville), quoted and re-checked
  16. Village of Mayville Zoning Ordinance (Village of Mayville), quoted and re-checked
  17. Village of Mayville Zoning Ordinance (Village of Mayville), quoted and re-checked
  18. Application for Sewage Permit and Water Supply Permit, quoted and re-checked
  19. tchd.us, quoted and re-checked
  20. Directions When Applying for a Sewage Disposal Permit and/or Water Supply Permit, quoted and re-checked
  21. Building Codes - Tuscola County, quoted and re-checked
  22. Floodplains (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked

Written October 11, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Village of Mayville

Village of Mayville’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction, alteration, repair, moving into, or changing the use of a building or structure inside Mayville village.

    • The zoning ordinance requires a building permit before the listed activities.
    • Ordinary repairs may be exempt under the Michigan Building Code, subject to the statutory exceptions.
    “No person shall hereafter begin the construction, alteration, or repair of any building or other structure or the moving into or change the use within any building or structure within the Village before first having obtained a building permit therefore from the Building Inspector as hereinafter provided.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Rental dwellings and rental units inside Mayville village limits.

    • Inspection is annual and also required when ownership changes.
    • parameters are rental-code inspections; the current residential-construction inspection schedule was not located.

    general inspection fee: 55 USD per rental unit · annual building fire-safety inspection fee: 50 USD per building (Not refunded.)

    “All rental units must be inspected annually and when there is a change of ownership. A certificate of compliance shall not be issued if the registration provisions of this ordinance are not complied with.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Permitted construction inside Mayville village.
      “All required inspections will be outlined on the final plan review issued by the Department of Building Safety to be used in conjunction with the approved plans.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    New construction and changes of use inside Mayville village.

    • The permit must remain posted until a certificate of occupancy is issued.
    • A certificate of occupancy is required for a change in use under the zoning ordinance.
    “The building permit shall be posted on site and maintained throughout the project until a certificate of occupancy is issued (MBC 105.7)”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Mayville village limits.

    • The Village zoning page states the ordinance was adopted by the Planning Commission and Village Council.
    • The ordinance states it became effective November 11, 2020.
    “Adopted by: Planning Commission 10/7/2020 Village Council 10/27/2020”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts inside Mayville village.

    • The Village publishes the zoning ordinance and links its zoning map.
    • The ordinance identifies residential districts including SFR, MFR, and MH.
    “Article 2 Zoning Districts Article 3 General Provisions Article 4 Site Development Standards Article 5 Approval Procedures Article 6 Administrative Procedures Article 7 Maps”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published (with conditions) — Land inside Mayville village limits.
      “Adopted by: Planning Commission 10/7/2020 Village Council 10/27/2020 Adoption Notice Index Article 1 Introduction Article 2 Zoning Districts Article 3 General Provisions Article 4 Site Development Standards Article 5 Approval Procedures Article 6 Administrative Procedures Article 7 Maps”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Manufactured dwelling units inside Mayville village limits; applicable requirement is that of the zoning district where located.

    • The specific residential-district schedule was not extracted in the opened materials.
    • Tiny-house PUD standards separately specify 500–1,200 square feet.
    “The dwelling unitshall comply with all restrictions and requirements of this Ordinance, including, without limitation, the minimum lot area, minimum lot width, minimum residential floor area, yard requirements, lot percent coverage and maximum building height requirements of the zoning district in which it is located.”
  • Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Manufactured dwelling units inside Mayville village limits; applicable requirement is that of the zoning district where located.

    • The specific residential-district schedule was not extracted in the opened materials.
    “The dwelling unitshall comply with all restrictions and requirements of this Ordinance, including, without limitation, the minimum lot area, minimum lot width, minimum residential floor area, yard requirements, lot percent coverage and maximum building height requirements of the zoning district in which it is located.”
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Manufactured dwelling units inside Mayville village limits; applicable requirement is that of the zoning district where located.

    • The specific residential-district schedule was not extracted in the opened materials.
    “The dwelling unitshall comply with all restrictions and requirements of this Ordinance, including, without limitation, the minimum lot area, minimum lot width, minimum residential floor area, yard requirements, lot percent coverage and maximum building height requirements of the zoning district in which it is located.”
  • Lot coverageDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Manufactured dwelling units inside Mayville village limits; applicable requirement is that of the zoning district where located.

    • The specific residential-district schedule was not extracted in the opened materials.
    “The dwelling unitshall comply with all restrictions and requirements of this Ordinance, including, without limitation, the minimum lot area, minimum lot width, minimum residential floor area, yard requirements, lot percent coverage and maximum building height requirements of the zoning district in which it is located.”
  • Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Manufactured dwelling units inside Mayville village limits; applicable requirement is that of the zoning district where located.

    • The specific residential-district schedule was not extracted in the opened materials.
    “The dwelling unitshall comply with all restrictions and requirements of this Ordinance, including, without limitation, the minimum lot area, minimum lot width, minimum residential floor area, yard requirements, lot percent coverage and maximum building height requirements of the zoning district in which it is located.”
  • Living in an RVTemporary only (with conditions)

    Recreational-vehicle parks inside Mayville village limits.

    • The ordinance definition restricts the stated temporary-dwelling use to no more than six consecutive months in a recreational-vehicle park.
    • This claim does not establish long-term private-parcel RV occupancy.

    maximum RV parking period: <= 6 consecutive months (In one recreational vehicle park.)

    “Recreational Vehicle Park: A campground designed to accommodate those recreational vehicles which are used as a temporary dwelling and are not parked more than six (6) consecutive months in anyone (1) recreational vehicle park.”
  • Tiny homesLimited

    Tiny House Planned Unit Development or tiny-house parcels inside Mayville village limits.

    • Tiny houses must comply with Michigan building and sanitary codes, be on a permanent foundation, be 500–1,200 square feet, sit on a legally created parcel, and meet ordinance setbacks.

    tiny-house floor area: 500 square feet (Maximum is 1,200 square feet.)

    “A tiny house shall be defined as: a. A single-family dwelling of conventional modern construction and built to all Michigan building and sanitary codes; b. Placed on a permanent foundation; c. Has a total square footage of between 500 and 1,200; d. Is sited on legally created parcel, subject to setbacks of this ordinance;”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured dwelling units located inside Mayville village limits.

    • Manufactured homes must also meet applicable federal or state construction standards where stricter; compliance evidence must be supplied to the Zoning Administrator.
    • The district's lot area, width, floor area, yard, coverage, and height controls apply.
    “Any manufactured single-family dwelling, constructed and erected on a lot outside a manufactured housing development, shall be permitted only if it complies with all of the following requirements:”
  • Accessory dwellingsAllowed (with conditions)

    A house on a residentially zoned lot inside Mayville village limits.

    • One ADU per residentially zoned lot.
    • Utilities must connect to the parcel's house and cannot have a separate meter or separate billing.

    ADUs per residentially zoned lot: 1 ADU

    “An ADU may be added to a house on any residentially zoned lot. Utilities for ADU must be connected to the house on the parcel and may not have a separate meter of be billed separately. One ADU is permitted per residentially zoned lot.”
  • Off-grid sanitationProhibited

    Construction or maintenance of a privy, septic tank, cesspool, or other sewage-disposal facility inside Mayville village limits.

    • The ban is expressly subject to exceptions elsewhere in the sewer-service article; public-sewer availability also triggers the connection rule.
    “Except as provided in this article, it shall be unlawful to construct or maintain any privy, privy vault, septic tank, cesspool or other facility intended or used for the disposal of sewage.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    Property used for human occupancy, employment, recreation, or another purpose inside Mayville village.

    • A public sanitary or combined sewer must be located in the abutting street, alley, or right-of-way.
    • The public sewer must be within 200 feet of the property line.
    • Connection is required within 90 days after official notice.
    • Private sewage facilities must be abandoned and filled when public sewer becomes available.

    public sewer distance: <= 200 feet (from the property line) · connection deadline: 90 days (after official notice)

    “The owner of each house, building and property used for human occupancy, employment, recreation or other purpose, situated within the village and abutting on any street, alley or right-of-way in which there is located a public sanitary or combined sewer, is hereby required at his expense to install suitable toilet facilities therein, and to connect such facilities directly with the proper public sewer in accordance with the provisions of this article within 90 days after the date of official notice to do so, provided that the public sewer is within 200 feet of the property line.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Sewer (with conditions) — Property inside Mayville village limits abutting a street, alley, or right-of-way containing public sanitary or combined sewer.
      “The owner of each house, building and property used for human occupancy, employment, recreation or other purpose, situated within the village and abutting on any street, alley or right-of-way in which there is located a public sanitary or combined sewer, is hereby required at his expense to install suitable toilet facilities therein, and to connect such facilities directly with the proper public sewer in accordance with the provisions of this article within 90 days after the date of official notice to do so, provided that the public sewer is within 200 feet of the property line.”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    Village building and zoning permits inside Mayville village.

    • The zoning ordinance states fees follow a schedule established by Village Council.
    • The development guidebook states building permit fees are due when the permit is issued.
    “Fees for building permits shall be in accordance with a schedule established by Village Council:”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Building and development permit process inside Mayville village.

    • Required zoning approvals precede building-permit application and issuance.
    • Applications include plans, DPW approvals, driveway permits, and other approvals where applicable.
    • Staff routes plans to Tuscola County and Fire Safety for review.
    • Fees are due at permit issuance.
    “The following items should be included in the permit application: [...] DPW Approvals – Copies of approval for work in the Right of Way, Water and Sewer Tap-in and the storm water permit issued by the DPW shall be provided as part of the submittals on the project”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Village of Mayville or Tuscola County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder work inside Mayville village.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Mayville village.
  • Who permits septic — Private sewage disposal serving property inside Mayville village limits.
  • Septic permit — Private sewage disposal systems inside Mayville village limits.
  • Septic inspection — Private sewage disposal systems inside Mayville village limits.
5 more unanswered
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • Building in a floodplain
  • Short-term rentals

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 Village of Mayville publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Tuscola County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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