Township of Pittsfield, MI Provisions Applicable to All Uses

No accessory building shall be used prior to the principal building or use, except as a construction facility for the principal building.

An accessory building attached to the principal building of a lot shall be made a structural part thereof and shall comply with the provisions of this chapter.

Accessory buildings, structures, and uses shall be supplemental or subordinate to the principal building on a parcel of land, and shall be on the same parcel of land as the principal building, structure, or use they serve.

Construction, erection, installation, or placement of accessory buildings or structures shall be in accordance with the requirements of the applicable Building Code. Permits shall be required for buildings greater than 36 square feet in area and/or greater than four feet in height.

Accessory buildings, structures, and uses shall not be located within a dedicated easement or right-of-way.

Accessory buildings in agriculture and residential zoning districts.

Attached accessory buildings.

Where the accessory building or structure is structurally attached to a main building, it shall be subject to, and must conform to, all regulations of this chapter applicable to a main building in addition to the requirements of this section.

The area of attached accessory buildings shall not exceed 75% of the ground floor footprint of the living area of the dwelling.

Detached structures.

Lots under 2.5 acres.

[1]

Detached accessory buildings shall be located behind the front building line of the principal building on the same property.

[2]

No detached accessory building shall be located closer than 10 feet to any main building, nor closer than six feet to any side or rear lot line.

[3]

Detached accessory buildings and detached accessory supplemental buildings shall occupy not more than 25% of a required rear yard.

[4]

The combined ground floor area of all detached accessory buildings shall not exceed 10% of the total lot area. However, in no instance shall the combined floor area of all detached accessory buildings exceed 3,500 square feet.

[5]

A detached accessory building shall not exceed one story or 14 feet in height.

[6]

Accessory structures located on conforming lots within an agriculture or residential zoning district used for agriculture purposes shall comply with § 4-8.03D.

[7]

Cargo containers. Cargo containers may be used as detached accessory structures in accordance with the following provisions:

[Added 11-18-2020 by Ord. No. ZOA 20-211]

[a]

Cargo containers used as detached accessory structures shall be located behind the principal structure and may only be located in the rear yard and shall meet the required side or rear setbacks of the district in which they are located.

[b]

Cargo containers shall not be stacked above the height of a single container.

[c]

Cargo containers shall be fenced or screened from abutting properties and/or rights-of-ways.

[d]

Cargo containers shall be located upon an approved foundation by the Building Official that will support the weight of the structure.

Lots 2.5 acres or greater.

[1]

Detached accessory buildings shall be located behind the front building line of the principal building on the same property, or 60 feet from the front lot line, whichever is less.

[2]

No detached accessory building shall be located closer than 10 feet to any main building, nor closer than six feet to any side or rear lot line.

[3]

Detached accessory buildings and detached accessory supplemental buildings shall occupy not more than 25% of a required rear yard.

[4]

[5]

A detached accessory building shall not exceed one story or 14 feet in height.

[6]

Accessory structures located on conforming lots within an agriculture or residential zoning district used for agriculture purposes shall comply with § 40-8.03D.

[7]

Cargo containers. Cargo containers may be used as an accessory supplemental building in accordance with the following provisions:

[Added 11-18-2020 by Ord. No. ZOA 20-211]

[a]

[b]

Cargo containers shall not be stacked above the height of a single container.

[c]

Cargo containers shall be fenced or screened from abutting properties and/or rights-of-ways.

[d]

Cargo containers shall be located upon an approved foundation by the Building Official that will support the weight of the structure.

Accessory supplemental buildings.

The total floor area of all detached accessory supplemental buildings on a parcel of land shall not exceed 200 square feet.

An accessory supplemental building shall not be located in any front yard.

No detached accessory supplemental building shall be located closer than six feet to any side or rear lot line.

(d)

A detached accessory supplemental building shall not exceed one story or 14 feet in height, except as noted below in § 40-8.03C and D.

Private swimming pools. Except as otherwise permitted in this chapter, all private swimming pools (above or below ground) shall be subject to the following:

Swimming pools shall be permitted only in the rear or side yard, behind the front of the principal building.

No outdoor swimming pool shall be located within five feet of any building.

There shall be a distance of not less than six feet between the adjoining property line and the outside of the pool wall.

Accessory buildings in nonresidential zoning districts. All accessory buildings shall be subject to the same placement and height requirements applicable to principal structures in the district in which they are located.

Agricultural buildings.

The provisions of § 40-8.03A(2) through (5) shall be applicable to all as principal or accessory buildings.

There shall be no limit on number and size of detached buildings used for agricultural purposes, provided that all buildings comply with height and setback requirements of the zoning district.

Where an agricultural building is structurally attached to a residence or any other nonagricultural building, the provisions of § 40-8.03B(1) shall be applicable to all such buildings.

Amateur radio and satellite dish antennas.

Amateur radio antennas are permitted up to a height of 75 feet if used in accordance with the terms of a valid amateur radio service license issued by the Federal Communications Commission or permitted under federal regulation by a reciprocal agreement with a foreign country. Other pole, mast type antennas may be permitted to a height equal to the maximum permitted maximum height of structures in the district. Other pole, mast, whip, or panel-type antennas that are roof-mounted or attached to a building shall not extend more than 12 feet above the highest point of a roof.

In residential districts, no more than two antenna structures, which shall include no more than one ground-mounted antenna detached from the main building, shall be permitted for each lot or parcel, with the following exception:

In nonresidential districts, two antenna structures shall be permitted for the first 20,000 square feet of gross building area, with one antenna structure permitted for each additional 20,000 square feet of gross building area, or major portion thereof.

The numerical limits of this § 40-8.03E shall not apply in the following situations:

[1]

Panel-type antennas which are visually integrated with the building surface on which they are mounted (similar color, not extending above wall, equipment penthouse, or enclosure surface).

[2]

Pole, mast, whip, or panel-type antennas mounted on or adjacent to the roof of residential or nonresidential buildings 60 feet or more in height.

Satellite dish antennas in residential districts which extend more than 14 feet in height or 14 feet above grade shall not exceed 24 inches in diameter.

Satellite dish and amateur radio antennas shall be located in a side or rear yard and shall be placed so that rotation can occur without encroachment into the required setback.

§ 40-8.04 Temporary dwelling structures.

Temporary dwelling. A manufactured home may be used as a temporary dwelling by a family while repairing or replacing its single-family residence rendered uninhabitable by a disaster such as fire, flood, or windstorm. Such temporary dwelling shall be permitted only in RC or AG Zoning Districts. Only a manufactured home may be used as a temporary dwelling; a camper, travel trailer, motor home, recreational vehicle, cabin, tent, basement, garage, or similar unit shall not be used as a temporary dwelling in any zoning district.

Nonresidential temporary structure. A nonresidential temporary structure may be permitted as follows:

A nonresidential temporary structure designed as a general sales office or financial institution may be used exclusively for such purposes during construction of a permanent structure designed for any such purpose. Such temporary structure shall be permitted only in C-1, C-2, I, BD, and PF Districts, and only if such permanent structure and use is permitted in said zoning district. Said structure shall be removed no later than seven days after the issuance of any occupancy certificate for the permanent structure.

A nonresidential temporary structure, designed as a sales office, may be used in a residential development, including a PUD, exclusively for the purpose of selling new dwelling units within said residential development. The temporary structure may be used only during the construction of a model home/sales office and shall be removed no later than seven days after the issuance of any occupancy certificate for said model homes. In no case may a temporary sales office be used for more than a one-year period. The temporary office shall be the sole occupancy of, and located entirely within the buildable area of, a single lot, shall provide the off-street parking required by Article XII and shall meet all requirements of the Building Code. Unless exempted by the Building Code, the temporary structure shall be connected to public water and sanitary sewer lines, where available, in which case a connection permit shall be obtained from the Township Utilities Department. If public water and sanitary lines are not available to the lot, the temporary structure shall be connected to a well and a septic or holding tank, in which case the applicant shall obtain a permit therefor from the Washtenaw County Health Department. Said temporary structure may not be occupied until an occupancy certificate has been issued. A temporary sales office permitted under this subsection shall not be subject to the provisions of Subsections C through E, following.

A nonresidential temporary structure, not to exceed 12 feet by 40 feet in size, designed as a construction office, may be used in a residential development, including a PUD. If the development has more than one model home, the temporary structure may be used only during the construction of the model homes and shall be removed not later than seven days after the issuance of any occupancy certificate for said model homes. In all cases the temporary construction office shall be removed when occupancy certificates have been issued for 80% of the proposed structures in the phase in which it is located. The temporary office shall be located entirely within the buildable area of a single lot, shall provide the off-street parking required by Article XII, and shall meet all requirements of the Building Code. A temporary construction office permitted under this subsection shall not be subject to the provisions of Subsections C through E, following.

Regulations.

A temporary structure shall comply with all use, yard, and parking requirements of the zoning district in which located. A certificate of zoning compliance shall be obtained from the Zoning Administrator.

A temporary structure shall be connected to public water and sanitary sewer lines, where available, in which case a connection permit shall be obtained from the Township Utilities Department. If public water and sanitary lines are not available to the lot, the temporary structure shall be connected to a well and septic tank, in which case the applicant shall obtain a permit therefor from the Washtenaw County Health Department.

A temporary structure shall be permitted only on the same lot as the permanent structure, except that a temporary sales/rental office in a residential development may be located within the boundary lines of said residential development.

The term of the permit shall not exceed one year, provided that, in the discretion of the Planning Commission, the term may be extended for one period not exceeding six months. Extension shall only be made on written application filed 20 days or more prior to such expiration, setting forth facts showing due diligence in construction of the permanent structure. An extension shall not be approved unless construction of the permanent building has commenced within 180 days of the date of approval of the conditional use permit, and is diligently pursued.

The use of a temporary structure shall be a permitted use in the district in which said structure is to be located, provided that the use of a nonresidential temporary structure shall not be other than a general sales office, a sales/rental office, or a financial institution.

A soil erosion control permit shall be obtained from the Township Engineer.

(7)

If the temporary structure is on a public road, a driveway permit shall be obtained from the Washtenaw County Road Commission or the Michigan Department of State Highways and Transportation, whichever is applicable.

(8)

Driveway and parking areas shall be paved or constructed of compacted gravel or crushed limestone.

(9)

A performance guarantee in the form of cash or an irrevocable bank letter of credit shall be deposited with the Township Treasurer in the amount estimated by the Township Planning Commission to be sufficient to assure that, upon expiration of the term of the permit, the temporary structure and all temporary site improvements will be removed, and the site restored to a stable, safe and nuisance free condition. The guarantee shall provide that, in breach thereof, the Township shall be entitled to enter upon the site and complete such removal and restoration, and defray the cost thereof out of said deposit.

(10)

The applicant shall cause the temporary structure to be removed within 14 days of the date of issuance of a certificate of occupancy for the permanent structure, or of the date of expiration of the temporary structure permit, whichever is the earlier.

(11)

A temporary structure permit and the certificate of occupancy issued thereon shall not be transferable to any other person, company, use, structure or lot.

Application. An application for such a permit shall be filed with the Zoning Administrator. The application shall include the following information:

Name and address of the applicant and property owner.

Accurate legal description of the lot on which the temporary structure is to be located.

A preliminary site plan, including the location of all proposed permanent improvements on the site and the relationship of temporary improvements to said permanent improvements.

Information showing the necessity of use of the temporary structure in meeting the construction schedule of the permanent structure(s) on the lot.

Copies of any other permits and certificates required.

An estimate, with supporting information, of the reasonable cost of removal of the temporary structure and temporary site improvements, and of site cleanup, upon expiration of the permit.

Approval.

[Amended 11-18-2020 by Ord. No. ZOA 20-211]

A temporary structure shall not be occupied until a zoning compliance permit has been issued by the Zoning Administrator and a certificate of occupancy has been issued by the Township Building Inspector. The Zoning Administrator shall not issue a zoning compliance until a performance guarantee has been deposited as required herein. The Zoning Administrator or Building Inspector may attach conditions to its approval which they deem necessary to protect the public health, safety, and welfare, and to ensure compliance with the ordinance.

Approval for a temporary dwelling structure is valid for one year from the date of certificate of occupancy. A one-year extension may be granted by the Zoning Administrator and Building Inspector, if request prior to expiration of the approval.

§ 40-8.05 Essential services and utilities.

General standards. It is the intent of this chapter to place essential services and property owned, leased, or operated by public agencies, including local, state, federal, or any other public or governmental body or agency, and public utilities, under the provision of this chapter, as follows:

Where such uses are specifically listed they shall be governed as indicated.

Where such uses are not specifically listed, they shall be permitted only in districts permitting private uses of a similar nature.

Property owned, leased, or operated by the State of Michigan or the United States, shall be exempted from the provisions of this chapter only to the extent that said property may not be lawfully regulated by Pittsfield Township.

Notwithstanding other provisions of this section, construction trailers and vehicles (whether mounted or not on wheels and used for the purpose of a building) reasonably necessary for the furnishing of adequate service by Pittsfield Township and its departments and commissions for public health, or safety or general welfare shall be permitted in any use district, it being the intention hereof to exempt such use, maintenance, parking and occupancy or the same from the application of this chapter.

Specific standards.

All procedures, design, and construction of utilities shall be in conformance with the requirements of the supplying utility company.

Plans of all proposed utilities, whether or not in public easements, shall be submitted by the utility company to Pittsfield Township for review. Pittsfield Township will issue a construction permit to the utility company when its plans are approved.

All existing and proposed utility information, including lines, poles, and surface equipment shall be shown on the final site plan.

Every effort shall be made to install all proposed utilities underground for their full length. Specific approval by the Township Board or its authorized representative shall be required for the placement of aboveground utilities, and shall be based on a showing of substantial hardship or practical difficulty with underground installation. Existing overhead utilities on-site shall be relocated underground.

Surface equipment shall be located so as not to interfere with traffic flow, parking, building access, fire hydrants, or Fire Department connections.

Surface transformers, pedestals, and similar equipment shall be screened from view, and the screening shall be shown on the landscape plan.

(7)

Electrical, telephone, gas, and cable may not share a common trench sewer and shall maintain a minimum of 10 feet of separation from sewer and water mains.

§ 40-8.06 Manufactured housing.

Purpose. This section of this chapter is designed to establish regulations under which manufactured housing may be used as single-family dwellings on lots outside mobile home parks. It is hereby recognized that other forms of manufactured housing, commonly referred to as "prefabricated," "modular" or "sectional" housing among other names, are and have been permitted in Pittsfield Township, on individual lots, in any zoning district in which single-family dwellings are permitted, provided that such units comply with the Township's codes and zoning requirements. The regulations contained in this section are specifically designed to:

Ensure compliance of manufactured housing on individual lots with all zoning regulations applicable to other single-family dwellings permitted in Pittsfield Township.

Ensure compliance with all Township codes, in addition to this chapter, for the protection of the public health, safety and welfare.

Ensure manufacturing housing is aesthetically compatible with other single-family dwellings in the community.

Standards and requirements. Manufactured housing may be used as a single-family dwelling on a lot outside a mobile home park, if the following standards and requirements are met. These standards and requirements shall not apply to a mobile home located in a licensed mobile home park.

The lot shall be located in a zoning district which permits single-family dwellings.

The lot and the manufactured housing shall comply with all regulations of the zoning district in which located.

The manufactured housing shall meet all requirements of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards (24 CFR 3280), as amended.

The manufactured housing shall be placed on a permanent foundation wall. The wall shall meet all requirements of the Township Building Code and shall completely enclose the area under the manufactured housing. The area so enclosed shall not be less than the ground floor area of the manufactured housing. The manufactured housing shall be secured to the premises by an anchoring system which meets all State of Michigan requirements.

Any wheels, tongue and hitch, or other towing appurtenances shall be removed before anchoring the manufactured housing to the premises.

The manufactured housing shall be connected to public water and sanitary sewer lines, where applicable, according to Pittsfield Township standards and specifications, or to a well and septic system approved by the County Health Department.

(7)

The manufactured housing shall be aesthetically compatible in design and appearance with conventional on-site constructed housing, and other types of approved manufactured housing. Compatibility shall be determined by the following standards:

The roof shall be finished with shingles or similar materials and shall have a minimum pitch of 3 on 12.

Exterior walls shall be finished with natural or simulated natural materials common to single-family dwellings, such as, but not limited to, beveled stains, vertical siding, board and batten siding, or brick.

Front and rear or front and side exterior doors.

(d)

A roof drainage system which will collect, and concentrate the discharge of roof drainage and will avoid drainage along the sides of the dwelling.

(8)

A building permit shall be required for construction of the foundation wall, for placement of the manufactured housing on the lot, and for any addition to the structure. A building permit shall not be issued until a health permit has been issued by the County Health Department, where applicable, and until a certificate of zoning compliance has been issued in accordance with Article III, herein, and is in effect. The manufactured housing shall not be occupied until a certificate of occupancy has been issued. Any addition to a mobile home shall meet all requirements of the Pittsfield Township Building Code.

(9)

The manufactured housing, prior to any additions, shall have a minimum floor area of 1,000 square feet, a minimum exterior width of 24 feet for at least one side elevation, and a minimum floor-to-ceiling height of 7 1/2 feet.

(10)

Not more than one manufactured home shall be used as a single-family dwelling on a lot, nor shall manufactured housing be placed on any lot on which another single-family dwelling is located. Manufactured housing cannot be used as an accessory building in any residential district.

(11)

Manufactured housing shall not be removed from a foundation until a permit therefor has been issued by the Building Official, in accordance with the Pittsfield Township Building Code.

§ 40-8.07 Entrance structures.

Location. Entrance structures may be provided for residential areas, shopping centers, industrial parks, and similar developments. The structure(s) may consist of walls, columns, gates, and may be located within required yards. The location and design of an entrance structure shall not interfere with pedestrian, bicycle, or vehicular traffic movement; shall conform to the requirements of § 40-12.01, herein; and shall not create a safety hazard.

Building permit. An entrance structure shall not be constructed until a building permit has been issued. The Planning Commission shall have approved the location, design, and maintenance provisions for an entrance structure before the building permit may be issued.

Maintenance. All entrance structures shall be regularly maintained in good and safe condition. A mechanism shall be established for assuring the required maintenance.

Application requirements. The application for approval shall provide the following information:

Precise location of the structure.

Plan and elevation drawings of the structure, including dimensions.

Location of electrical wiring and fixtures, if applicable.

Provisions to maintain the structure.

Identification sign. An identification sign permitted in the district in which the entrance structure is to be located may be mounted on an entrance structure, or made a structural part thereof. Such signs shall conform to all sign regulations as set forth in Article XV, except setback requirements. No sign containing advertising material shall be mounted on, or made a structural part of, an entrance structure.

Security columns and gates for single-family residential properties.

Location. Security column and gates must be set back at least 10 feet from the road right-of-way or five feet from any public sidewalk, whichever is greater.

Dimensions.

Columns may not exceed four feet by four feet in width.

Columns, including decorative features, cannot exceed a height of eight feet above grade.

Gates cannot exceed a height of six feet above grade.

(d)

Fencing or a wing wall on either side of a gate may reach a height of six feet above grade with a maximum length of eight feet from each side of a column.

(e)

Any portion of the entrance structure that extends more than eight feet from any side of the column must comply with the provisions as set forth in § 40-13.06.

Other.

Gates must swing inward to the site.

Gates may not have spikes.

Fence and/or gate shall be of uniform design and well maintained.

§ 40-8.08 Private sewer systems.

Approved as conditional use. As used in this section, a private sewer system is privately owned equipment for the disposal of sanitary sewage from more than one dwelling or place of business. No person or firm shall build, operate, or use a private sewer system unless it is approved as a conditional use in the manner provided by Article X.

Standards. The following additional requirements apply to the conditional use approval of a private sewer system.

Approval shall not be effective until all requirements of the Pittsfield Charter Township Code are met and all permits are obtained as required by the Pittsfield Charter Township Code and by the county, state, and federal laws and regulations.

All aboveground components shall be compatible with the property served and property contiguous to the property served.

All aboveground components, including lagoons, shall be located at least 300 feet from property not served by the system, from any dwelling units and from all public roads. The components shall be adequately secured by fencing and screened by landscaping material.

No private sewer system shall be located within the utility service area established pursuant to § 36-12H of the Pittsfield Charter Township Code.

The area of drainfields or drain reserves shall not be considered open space and shall not be used for parkland, recreation areas or any other purpose.

§ 40-8.09 Commercial, industrial and institutional development height, setback and greenbelt provisions when adjacent to any residential zoned or used property.

Conditional use approval of a private sewer can be part of the approval of a PUD classification.

Height.

Any building, or portion of a building, on a parcel immediately adjacent to a residentially zoned or used parcel and not separated by any street or alley shall not exceed 30 feet in height.

The Planning Commission may deviate from these height restrictions in the course of its site plan review process; however, the Planning Commission shall not permit a greater height than the maximum allowed for the applicable building form. In the review of the deviation, the Planning Commission shall consider the standards as set forth in § 40-8.09C.

Setback and greenbelt.

When a parcel is abutting, adjacent to or separated by an alley from a residentially zoned or used parcel without an intervening street, the building setback from the property line of the residentially zoned or used parcel shall be no less than the height of the proposed building or 20 feet, whichever is greater.

When a parcel is abutting, adjacent to or separated by an alley from a residentially zoned or used parcel without an intervening street, a minimum twenty-foot landscaped greenbelt shall be maintained from the property line of the residentially zoned or used parcel. The greenbelt shall be landscaped and screened in accordance with § 40-13.02C.

The Planning Commission may deviate from the setback and greenbelt provisions in the course of its site plan review process; however, the Planning Commission shall not permit a setback or greenbelt that is less than required in § 40-13.02E. In the review of the deviation, the Planning Commission shall consider the standards as set forth in § 40-8.09C.

Deviation standards. The height, setback and greenbelt deviations may be granted by the Planning Commission if all of the following are found:

The deviation will not adversely impact public health, safety and welfare.

The deviation will maintain compatibility with adjacent uses.

The deviation will be compatible with the Master Plan and in accordance with the goals and objectives of the Master Plan and any associated subarea and corridor plans.

The deviation will not adversely impact essential public facilities and services, such as: streets, pedestrian or bicycle facilities, police and fire protection, drainage systems, refuse disposal, water and sewage facilities and schools.

he deviation will be in compliance with all other standards of this chapter.