Frequently Asked Questions
When is a land use permit required?
Where can a find the application and what is the cost?
What are the rules for an accessory structure?
7.2.1 ACCESSORY BUILDINGS: Authorized accessory buildings may be erected as part of the principal building or may be connected to it by a roofed-over porch, patio, breezeway, or similar structure, or they may be completely detached. If attached to the principal building, an accessory building shall be made structurally a part of it, and shall comply in all respects with the requirements applicable to the principal building under this Ordinance. An accessory building not attached and not made a part of the principal building shall:
a. Not be nearer than ten feet from any other separate structure on the same lot,
b. Not be erected in any minimum side yard setback, (10’)
c. Not be erected in any front yard of any non-waterfront parcel, (behind front façade of house is considered back/side yard)
d. Not occupy more than 25% of a required rear yard,
e. Not exceed one twenty four feet in height, nor exceed the ground floor area of the main building within Residential Districts,
f. Not be closer to the side yard lot line than the side yard setback of the principal building on a corner lot within Residential Districts.
g. Accessory structures shall be set back a minimum of 10’ from a rear property line
When is a land use permit required?
- For any structure over 100 SF – including sheds, decks, porches
- No land use permit is required for patios that are to grade
- Acme does not require a permit for fences
- For any change in use to a property – residential or commercial
Where can a find the application and what is the cost?
- A copy of the residential application for residential use can be found here
- The cost is $50 for an addition or accessory structure & $75 for a new single-family home
- A copy of the commercial application for commercial use can be found here
- The cost is $150 minimum of $2 per 100 SF
- Each stand-alone structure requires a separate permit (example: new home and detached garage)
- PLEASE SUBMIT ALL REQUIRED ITEMS FROM THE CHECK LIST ON THE APPLICATION AT ONE TIME FOR A COMPLETE PACKET – your land use permit will not be processed until a complete packet is received.
- Applications can be mailed, delivered, or emailed to zoning@acmetownship.org
What are the rules for an accessory structure?
7.2.1 ACCESSORY BUILDINGS: Authorized accessory buildings may be erected as part of the principal building or may be connected to it by a roofed-over porch, patio, breezeway, or similar structure, or they may be completely detached. If attached to the principal building, an accessory building shall be made structurally a part of it, and shall comply in all respects with the requirements applicable to the principal building under this Ordinance. An accessory building not attached and not made a part of the principal building shall:
a. Not be nearer than ten feet from any other separate structure on the same lot,
b. Not be erected in any minimum side yard setback, (10’)
c. Not be erected in any front yard of any non-waterfront parcel, (behind front façade of house is considered back/side yard)
d. Not occupy more than 25% of a required rear yard,
e. Not exceed one twenty four feet in height, nor exceed the ground floor area of the main building within Residential Districts,
f. Not be closer to the side yard lot line than the side yard setback of the principal building on a corner lot within Residential Districts.
g. Accessory structures shall be set back a minimum of 10’ from a rear property line
What are Acme’s fence regulations?
7.3.2 FENCES: No fence, wall or structural screen, other than plant materials shall be erected in the Residential Zoning Districts greater than seven feet in height. No fence, wall or hedge plantings shall exceed a height of four feet within any front yard in these Districts. On any corner lot or parcel in any Zoning District, no fence or plant materials shall exceed a height of four feet so as not to interfere with traffic visibility across a corner. All such fences shall be entirely erected on owner’s property and be maintained in good repair and safe condition, and shall be constructed of materials which will not be detrimental to the health, safety, and welfare of adjacent residents. Electric fences, barbed wire, or similar style fences shall be prohibited on any residential lot that is not involved in a qualified agricultural activity.
What are my setbacks?
- Setbacks are specific to the zoning district your parcel is within. The zoning map can be found here
- Setbacks can be found in the schedule of regulations found here
- If your property lies within a site condominium the master deed will disclose any specific setbacks (examples: Windward Ridge, Lochenheath, Arrow Head Estates)
Can I have two dwellings on a parcel?
No
Can I build a pole barn without a house on a parcel?
No
Can I create a parcel smaller than 5 acres in the agricultural district?
No
How many acres do I need to have a horse in a residential district?
A minimum of 5 acres
Does the township have any involvement in an HOA?
No, the township does not enforce any HOA rules or master deed restrictions.
Can I have a short-term rental on my property (STR)? How many licenses are available?
There are two types of short-term rental licenses in Acme Township – a tourist home and a vacation home. The zoning district will determine which license you are eligible for.
Tourist Home: A short-term rental operation in which a portion of a dwelling unit is rented out where the owner of the property resides full-time in the dwelling unit and is primarily present at the time of occupation.
Vacation Home: A short-term rental operation in which the entire dwelling unit is rented out without the property owner residing at the dwelling unit at the time of occupation.
Tourist Homes are allowed in all districts excluding the industrial district (B4)
Vacation Homes are only allowed in the Agricultural District and in some EXISTING single-family homes within the Commercial and Corridor Flex Districts.
A copy of the zoning map can be found here
Grand Traverse County’s mapping website can help you determine where the property falls within the township: http://maps.grandtraverse.org/
- Acme allows for 50 of each license – there are many available licenses
- The cost is $100 for a tourist home & $300 for a vacation home.
- Licenses are valid for the calendar year. Renewal notices are sent out in the month of September as a reminder to renew before the October 31st deadline.
What can I do on my commercial property?
How many splits to I have on my property?
Where can I get a copy of a survey for my property?
Please contact the Grand Traverse County Register of Deeds.
What is the township’s stance on adult use marihuana and medical marihuana?
Does the township have any authority over public roads?
No. Please contact the Grand Traverse County Road Commission.
When are public meetings held?
Who do I contact if I want to modify or abandon an easement?
Contact your attorney and a surveyor to modify an easement and an attorney to see if abandoning an existing easement is possible. The township does not get involved in these matters.
When do my materials need to be submitted to attend a Planning Commission meeting?
What else requires a permit?
- A copy of the list of uses for the commercial districts can be found here.
- More specific information can be found in the zoning ordinance.
How many splits to I have on my property?
- Contact the township assessor, Dawn Kuhns: assessordawn@gmail.com
- Proposed parcels must not exceed a width to depth ratio of 3:1 for anything under an acre and 4:1 for anything over an acre.
- A surveyor will help you meet the township’s land division ordinance requirements.
Where can I get a copy of a survey for my property?
Please contact the Grand Traverse County Register of Deeds.
What is the township’s stance on adult use marihuana and medical marihuana?
- The township board is currently taking adult use into consideration. This is a topic of discussion the meetings held on the 1st Tuesday of the month. No final decisions have been made at this time.
- A copy of the proposed language can be found in the board packets under the current meeting minutes tab (includes proposed # of licenses)
- The township has opted in for medical marihuana – currently all provisioning, growing, and processing licenses are spoken for.
Does the township have any authority over public roads?
No. Please contact the Grand Traverse County Road Commission.
When are public meetings held?
- The Township Board meets on the 1st Tuesday of the month
- The Planning Commission meets on the 2nd Monday of the month
- Meetings are held on these dates unless otherwise noted on the calendar found on the homepage of the website.
Who do I contact if I want to modify or abandon an easement?
Contact your attorney and a surveyor to modify an easement and an attorney to see if abandoning an existing easement is possible. The township does not get involved in these matters.
When do my materials need to be submitted to attend a Planning Commission meeting?
- At least 3 weeks prior to the scheduled meeting for a use by right.
- At least 1 month prior to the scheduled meeting for a special use.
- The cost to attend can be found on the schedule of fees here.
What else requires a permit?
- Signage – permanent and temporary ($50 for permanent signs; $20 for temporary
- Special Events
- Mobile Food Vending
- For any change in use on a piece of property
- These permit forms can be found in the Planning & Zoning Tab Under Forms
