Planning & Zoning

Bath Township Land Use Permit

Land use planning plays a vital role in Bath Township, as it serves as the basis for implementing policies and regulations in order to guide and control development. The Planning Department’s responsibilities include developing and implementing the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance to apply public policy to future land use and enforce development standards.

The Planning Department then provides recommendations to the Planning Commission and Board of Trustees to help carry out strategic land use and planning decisions in the Township. The Department also oversees processing applications for site plans and provides guidance to residents and developers.

The Comprehensive Development Plan lays out long-range land use policies that aid in guiding and controlling development in the Township. The Zoning Ordinance is intrinsically linked to the Comprehensive Plan as it contains regulations to enforce the goals, policies and objectives of the plan. The Township is split into seven zoning districts: Public Lands or Open Space, Development, High Density Residential, High Density Development, Low Density Residential, Medium Density Residential and Rural. Within each of these zoning districts are regulations for appropriate uses, size of the land and structures, setbacks, buffers, etc.

Architectural Guidelines Brochure

Architectural Guidelines

Topics on this page include:

What is the difference between zoning and building?

Do I need a permit for a shed?

Do I need a permit for a fence?

Do I need a permit for an above-ground pool?

How close can a shed be to a property line?

Can I apply for a variance?

How do I get a rental license?

Can you tell me where my utility lines are on my property?

Do you have a survey of my property that I can have?

Zoning relates to the uses allowed on a particular property, as well as the location of said use on the property. Building relates to the design and construction of structures. Zoning is regulated directly by the Bath Township Zoning Ordinance. Building is regulated by the Michigan State Building Code.

Yes, you will always need a land use permit for a shed. If the shed is over 200 square feet, you will also need a building permit.

Yes, you will always need a land use permit for a fence. If the fence is 7 feet or taller, you will also need a building permit.

Yes, you will need a land use permit, as well as building permits. For more information regarding building permits, please contact the Building Department.

A shed is considered an accessory structure and, as such, is required to be at least 10 feet from any property line and any existing structures on the property.

Yes, you can apply for a variance by submitting an application to appear before the Zoning Board of Appeals. The application is located under the ‘ZBA requests’ tab.

Bath Township does not have rental licenses.

No, you will need to contact the utility provider directly. You may also need to have a professional survey done.

No, Bath Township does not maintain surveys of properties in the township. We also do not provide surveying services. You will need to contact a professional surveyor to have a survey of your property done.

Bath Township Zoning Map

View Bath Township’s Zoning Ordinance

Land Use Permits cost $50.00 and are required for:

• Accessory Building: A building or structure customarily incidental and subordinate to the principal structure and located on the same lot as the principal building. This includes sheds.
• Building: Any structure having a roof supported by columns or walls, for the shelter, support, enclosure of persons, animals or property.
• Driveway: Vehicle access to a lot from a street which shall be located at least five feet from an adjacent lot line.
• Fence (permanent): A barrier of wood, metal, stone, brick and/or vegetation or any manufactured materials erected for permanent enclosure of yard areas.
• Screen: A structure providing enclosure, such as a fence, and a visual barrier between the area enclosed and the adjacent property A screen may also be non-structured, consisting of shrubs or other growing materials.
• Structure: Anything constructed or erected which requires permanent location on the ground or attachment to something having such location on the ground including, but not limited to, all building and free-standing signs and not including sidewalks, drives, patios, and utility poles.

Bath Charter Township has five separate zoning districts:

• Rural
• Developmental
• High Density
• Medium Density
• Low Density

Bath Township Zoning Map

The Planner will review the plot plan that was submitted with the building permit application. The zoning will either be approved or denied based on the Bath Charter Township Zoning Ordinance requirements for the zoning district where the property is located.

The Planner may only approve the zoning according to the provisions of the Bath Charter Township Zoning Ordinance. If the project’s zoning cannot be approved by the Planner, an application may be made to the Zoning Board of Appeals. The Zoning Board of Appeals is a five member board that has the power to grant variances or interpretations to the Bath Charter Township Zoning Ordinance.

An application must be filled out and submitted to the Planner.

Zoning Board of Appeals Variance Request Application

Zoning Board of Appeal Fees:

• $100 00 residential
• $250.00 multiple family residential and signs
• $300.00 office, commercial, industrial and ordinance interpretation

ZBA meetings are held on the third Tuesday of the month at 6:00 p.m.

An application, site plan and fee must be turned in 25 days before the meeting.

The State requires notification of the meeting to be published in a newspaper and letters mailed 15 days before the meeting to adjacent property owners within 300 feet of the appeal address.

A reminder letter will be sent to the applicant as well.

“The applicant or the applicant’s representative must be present at the meeting to present their appeal before the ZBA board. If the applicant or representative is not present the appeal will be tabled to the next meeting Decisions will be made at the meeting.”

The minutes of the meeting will be made available following the meeting. The applicant may request a copy of the minutes by calling the Planning & Zoning Department.

SUP & Site Plan Review Application
Rezoning Request Application
Zoning (Land Use) Permit Application
Certification of Zoning Compliance Application
Deck Installation Application
Fence Installation Application
Pole Barn Installation Application
Shed Installation Application
Agricultural Use Exempt Structure Application
Agricultural Use Exempt Structure Affidavit
Marihuana Establishment Application
Marihuana Establishment Conditional Use Permit Application
Zoning Board of Appeals Variance Request Application

On Tuesday, September 3, 2019, the Township Board approved ordinances that opted into the medical marihuana facilities. Medical marihuana growing facilities are now allowed in the Development zoning district as a special land use. Medical marihuana processing and safety compliance facilities are allowed as special land uses in the Development and High Density Development zoning districts.

Medical marihuana facilities are not allowed within 1,000 feet of schools, licensed daycares, or Webster Road.

Also, please note: The Township has NOT opted into provisioning centers or transportation facilities and has opted OUT of all recreational marihuana establishments.

ORDINANCE NO. 31.61

An Ordinance to amend the Bath Charter Township Zoning Ordinance, as amended, to provide for the zoning regulation of Commercial Medical Marihuana Facilities and Primary Caregiver Operations; and  designate such Facilities and Operations as special uses; in order to maintain the public health, safety and welfare of the residents and visitors to Bath Township.

ORDINANCE NO. 68

An Ordinance to implement the provisions of the Michigan Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act, Public Act 281 of 2016, which authorizes the licensing and regulation of Commercial Medical Marihuana Facilities and affords the Township the option whether or not to allow Commercial Medical Marihuana Facilities; to regulate Commercial Medical Marihuana Facilities by requiring a Permit and compliance with requirements as provided in this Ordinance, in order to maintain the public health, safety and welfare of the residents and visitors to the Township.

The Township shall only accept Applications as designated by the Superintendent. No Applications shall be accepted by the Township unless the Superintendent has issued procedures and standards for the receipt and review of Applications as set forth in this Ordinance, and specifically approved of the acceptance of such Applications. The dates, times, and places to accept Applications shall be determined by the Superintendent, and made available publicly prior to the receipt of Applications.

The Superintendent is authorized to issue procedures and standards establishing the competitive process for the Township to select the Applicant to operate in compliance with the Act, this Ordinance, and within the Township. The Township Board shall consider, review, and evaluate each Application according to the procedures and standards, the report of the Superintendent, and any other information deemed relevant by the Township Board to evaluate and review each Application.

To be placed on list to be notified of the “Acceptance of Applications,” please email Township Superintendent Karen Hildebrant at khildebrant@bathtownship.us.

Updated July 20, 2021