[Code 1974, § 81-1.1]
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Zoning Ordinance of the Charter Township of Meridian," or as the "Meridian Charter Township Zoning Ordinance," or as the "zoning ordinance."
[Code 1974, § 81-1.8; Ord. No. 2002-05, 5-7-2002; Ord. No. 2003-05, 4-1-2003; Ord. No. 2003-07, 5-20-2003; Ord. No. 2004-01, 2-29-2004; Ord. No. 2004-06, 9-5-2004; Ord. No. 2004-9, 10-31-2004; Ord. No. 2005-04, 3-13-2005; Ord. No. 2006-06, 11-26-2006; Ord. No. 2007-14, 11-25-2007; Ord. No. 2008-01, 2-3-2008; Ord. No. 2008-03, 3-16-2008; Ord. No. 2009-02, 4-19-2009; Ord. No. 2010-02, 2-28-2010; Ord. No. 2010-08, 7-18-2010; Ord. No. 2011-05, 5-5-2011; Ord. No. 2011-09, 7-19-2011; Ord. No. 2011-17, 12-13-2011]
The following words, terms, and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning.
ABANDONED WELL
Water supply, irrigation, or monitoring wells or cisterns which are no longer in use or are in a state of disrepair.
ACCESS
A way or means of approach to provide vehicular or pedestrian entrance or exit to a property from an abutting property or roadway, either by direct, indirect or shared means.
ACCESS MANAGEMENT
The process of providing and managing reasonable access to land development while preserving the flow of traffic in terms of safety, capacity, and speed on the abutting road system.
ACCESS, NONCONFORMING
Features of the access system of a property that existed prior to the effective date of § 86-441 and that do not conform with the requirements of § 86-441.
ACCESSORY BUILDING
A supplemental building or structure on the same lot or a part of the main building occupied by or devoted exclusively to an accessory use.
ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT
A self-contained dwelling unit located on the same lot as an existing single-family detached dwelling unit, either within the same building as the single-family dwelling unit or in a detached building constructed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter on a permanent foundation. A manufactured home, as defined in § 86-2, is not considered an accessory dwelling unit.
[Added 11-9-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-05]
ACCESSORY USE
A use subordinate to the main use of a lot and used for purposes customarily incidental to those of the main use.
ACCESS POINT
The point at which a driveway, service drive, private road or public street intersects the public road system.
ACCESS, REASONABLE
The minimum number of access connections, direct or indirect, necessary to provide safe access to and from a public road, as consistent with the purpose and intent of this chapter and any other applicable plans and policies of the Charter Township of Meridian, with Act 200 of 1969, or with other applicable law of the State of Michigan. Reasonable access does not necessarily mean direct access.
ADULT CARE CENTER
A nonresidential facility that provides supervised and group care for adult persons 18 years of age or older. The hours of operation shall be fewer than 24 hours per day.
[Added by Ord. No. 2014-07, 12-9-2014]
AGGRIEVED PERSON
Any person, firm, partnership, corporation, or association with an interest in real property sharing a common property line with the subject site or any person, firm, partnership, corporation, or association with an interest in real property which will suffer special damages as a result of the decision in question. The term "special damages" shall be defined as a particular injury to a land owner's beneficial use or enjoyment of his own land, which injury is not shared in common with other members of the general public.
ALLEY
Any dedicated public way other than a street which provides only a secondary means of access to abutting property and is not intended for general traffic circulation.
ALTERATIONS
Any modification, additions, or change in construction or type of occupancy, any change or rearrangement in the structural parts of a building, any enlargement of a building, or the moving of a building from one location to another.
ANEMOMETER
An instrument which measures and records the speed of the wind.
ANTENNA, DISH, also known as "MICROWAVE DISHES"
These antenna emit microwaves that provide the link between the central computer switching system and the appropriate transmitting or receiving. (See the graphic following definition of "antenna, whip.")
ANTENNA, PANEL
An antenna or array of antennas designed to concentrate signals (radio waves) in specific directions. These antenna are typically flat, rectangular devices. These are also known as sector or directional antennas. (See the graphic following definition of "antenna, whip.")
ANTENNA, WHIP
An antenna shaped cylindrically and has diameters of less than six inches and height of up to 20 feet. Also known as stick, omnidirectional, or pipe antenna, they emit signals (radio waves) in a 360-degree horizontal plane and a compressed vertical plane. (See the following graphic.)
086 Antennas.tif
APARTMENT
A room or suite of rooms in a multiple-family building arranged and intended as a place of residence for a single-family or a group of individuals living together as a single housekeeping unit as herein defined.
APARTMENT, EFFICIENCY
A one-room apartment.
ASSISTED LIVING
Providing independent living services as well as limited nursing care, limited supervision, medication management, supportive services, and other activities of daily living to patients or residents.
[Added by Ord. No. 2019-09, 5-21-2019]
AUTOMOBILE DEALERSHIP, NEW
The use of any building, land or portion thereof for the display, sale or lease of new automobiles, trucks or vans.
[Added 5-6-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-02]
AUTOMOBILE DEALERSHIP, USED
The use of any building, land or portion thereof for the display, sale or lease of used automobiles, trucks or vans.
[Added 5-6-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-02]
BANK
A building designed to perform one or more services, including, but not limited to, the safeguarding of money and other valuables, the lending of money, the executing of bills of exchange such as checks, drafts, and money orders, the issuance of notes, and the receipt of funds. The term "bank" includes, but is not limited to, banks, savings and loan operations, and credit unions.
BANNER
Any removable fabric, cloth, paper, or other nonrigid material, installed in a temporary fashion on a building, property, or other site amenity, and not enclosed in a frame.
[Added 4-28-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-16]
BASEMENT
A story or portion of a story having more than 1/2 its height below average finished grade. A basement will not be counted as a story for purposes of height regulations.
BICYCLE LOCKER
An enclosed device, apparatus, compartment, or storage unit that permits the individualized storage of a bicycle and permits the bicycle to be locked or secured inside of the device, apparatus, compartment, or storage unit.
BICYCLE PARKING AREA
The area designated to accommodate bicycle parking, and specifically includes the bicycle rack(s), bicycle locker(s), or equivalent structure, and the area immediately surrounding the rack(s), locker(s) or equivalent structure(s).
BICYCLE PARKING SPACE
The location within a bicycle parking area that allows for the temporary placement of a single bicycle.
BICYCLE RACK
A device or apparatus that permits a bicycle to be supported in an upright position, prevents a bicycle from being tipped over, and permits the bicycle to be temporarily secured or locked to the rack.
BUFFER
A zone shall consist of open space, except as specifically noted in this chapter, which shall be landscaped. When a screen is called for, this shall be a dense evergreen planting area or a solid wall or fence as determined and approved by the Planning Commission or planning director.
BUILDING
Any structure other than a boundary wall or fence.
BUILDING AREA
The total of areas taken on a horizontal plane at the main grade level of the principal building and all accessory buildings exclusive of uncovered porches, steps, or patios.
BUILDING, FRONT LINE OF
The line of that face of the building nearest the front line of the lot or the required setback line of the lot. This face includes all enclosed areas but not steps or roof overhangs.
BUILDING, HEIGHT OF
The vertical distance measured from the mean elevation of the proposed finished grade line at the front of the building of the ground to the highest point of the roof for flat roofs, to the deck line of mansard roofs, and to the mean height between eaves and ridges for gable, hip, and gambrel roofs. This shall not include elevator shafts, roof air conditioners or chimney.
BUILDING LINE
A line parallel to the front lot line at the minimum required setback line.
BUILDING, PRINCIPAL
A building in which is conducted the main or principal use of the lot on which such building is situated.
CANOPY
An overhanging shelter extending outward from a building. A parapet wall is not a canopy.
[Amended 4-28-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-16]
CARWASH, AUTOMATIC
An establishment providing facilities for the mechanical washing or waxing of automobiles. Such service to be provided without labor to the customer. Should it offer gasoline for sale, all requirements pertaining to gasoline service stations must be met.
CARWASH, SELF-SERVICE
An establishment offering facilities for the washing of automobiles by the customer at the site. Should gasoline be offered for sale, all requirements pertaining to gasoline service stations must be met.
CAS NUMBER
A unique number assigned for every chemical established by the Chemical Abstract Service, which indexes information published in the American Chemical Society's journal Chemical Abstracts. It is used in maintaining chemical inventories used by the state department of environmental quality (MDEQ) for regulatory purposes, by firefighters for firefighter right-to-know purposes, and by public service departments responsible for discharges into stormwater or municipal sewer systems.
CHANGED CIRCUMSTANCES
A material alteration of facts relevant to a rezoning and/or variance request occurring since the date of the Township's denial of that request.
CHILD CARE CENTER (DAY CARE CENTER)
A facility, not occupied as a dwelling, receiving more than six preschool or school-age children for group care for a period of less than 24 hours a day, and where the parents or guardians are not immediately available to the child. It includes a facility which provides care for not less than two consecutive weeks, regardless of the number of hours of care per day. The facility is generally described as a child care center, day care center, day nursery, nursery school, parent cooperative preschool, play group, or drop-in center. The terms "child care center" and "day care center" do not include a Sunday School conducted by a religious institution or a facility operated by a religious organization where children are cared for during short periods of time while persons responsible for such children are attending religious services.
CISTERN
A tank or reservoir used for storing rainwater.
CLINIC
An establishment where human patients who are not lodged overnight are admitted for examination and treatment by a group of physicians, dentists, or similar professions.
CLUB
An organization catering exclusively to members and their guests, or premises and buildings for recreational, artistic, athletic, political or social purposes, which are not conducted primarily for gain and which do not provide merchandising, vending, or commercial activities except as required incidentally for the membership and purpose of such club.
COLLOCATE or COLLOCATION
To place or install wireless communications equipment on an existing wireless communications support structure or in an existing equipment compound.
[Amended by Ord. No. 2016-03, 1-5-2016]
COMMERCIAL MEDICAL MARIHUANA FACILITY or FACILITY
One of the following:
[Added by Ord. No. 2019-10, 5-21-2019]
(1) 
PROVISIONING CENTERAs that term is defined in the Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act, Public Act 281 of 2016 ("MMFLA");[1]
(2) 
PROCESSORAs that term is defined in the MMFLA;
(3) 
SECURE TRANSPORTERAs that term is defined in the MMFLA;
(4) 
GROWERIncluding Class A, Class B and Class C, as those terms are defined in the MMFLA;
(5) 
SAFETY COMPLIANCE FACILITYAs that term is defined in the MMFLA.
COMMON LAND
A parcel or parcels of land with the improvements thereon the use, maintenance, and enjoyment of which are intended to be shared by the owners and occupants of individual building units in a subdivision or a planned community unit development.
COMMUNITY CENTER
A building used for recreational, social, education, and cultural activities open to the public or a designated part of the public, usually owned and operated by a public or nonprofit group or agency.
CONVENTIONAL WIRELESS FACILITY DESIGN
A wireless communication facility which employs traditional structural designs, such as metal lattice or monopole towers.
CORRIDOR PLAN
The M-43/52 Corridor Access Management Plan, dated July 2003. The corridor plan documents rationale for § 86-441 and illustrates existing and recommended location of access points and service drives.
COURT
An unoccupied open space, other than a yard, on the same lot with a building, which is bounded on two or more sides by the walls of such building.
COVERAGE
That percentage of the lot or parcel covered by the building area.
DB(A)
The sound pressure level in decibels. Refers to the "a" weighted scale defined by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). A method for weighting the frequency spectrum to mimic the human ear.
DBH (DIAMETER AT BREAST HEIGHT)
The diameter of an existing tree measured at 4 1/2 feet above grade.
DECIBEL
The unit of measure used to express the magnitude of sound pressure and sound intensity.
DENSITY
The number of dwelling units resided upon or to be developed upon a gross acre of land.
DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
The construction, conversion, alteration, relocation, or enlargement of any structure; any excavation, landfill, or land disturbance; and any use or extension of the use of land.
DISTRICT
An area of land for which there are uniform regulations governing the use of buildings and premises, density of development, yard requirements and height regulations.
DRIVEWAY
Any entrance or exit used by vehicular traffic to or from land or buildings abutting a road.
DRIVEWAY, SHARED
A driveway connecting two or more contiguous properties to the public road system.
DWELLING
Any building, or portion thereof, which is designed or used exclusively for residential purposes.
DWELLING, MULTIPLE-FAMILY
A building, or portion thereof, used or designed to contain separate living units for three or more families but which may have joint services or facilities or both.
DWELLING, ROW HOUSE or TOWNHOUSE
Three or more one-family dwelling units each having access on the first floor to the ground and with common walls separating the dwelling units.
DWELLING, SINGLE-FAMILY
A detached building designed for or occupied exclusively by one family.
DWELLING, TWO-FAMILY or DUPLEX
A detached or semidetached building designed for or occupied exclusively by two families living independently of each other.
DWELLING UNIT
A building or portion thereof designed exclusively for residential occupancy by one family and having cooking facilities.
ENCLOSED CLIMATE CONTROLLED STORAGE FACILITY
A single, climate controlled building that contains leased units designed for the storage of property by individuals, organizations, and businesses, which can only be accessed from the interior of the facility.
EQUIPMENT COMPOUND
An area surrounding or adjacent to the base of a wireless communications support structure and within which wireless communications equipment is located.
[Added by Ord. No. 2016-03, 1-5-2016]
ERECTED
The building, construction, alteration, reconstruction, moving upon, or any physical activity upon a premises or lot.
EVIDENCE OF FEE AND/OR OTHER OWNERSHIP
Legal documentation in the form of a warranty deed, a legal opinion, or a current title insurance policy, indicating the legal and equitable owners, including mortgagees, contract purchasers, and fee owner, of the land to be developed, plus all grants, reservations, deed restrictions, and easements of record which may condition use of the property, to show that an individual, firm, association, syndicate, partnership, or corporation has sufficient proprietary interest to seek development of land.
EXCAVATION
Any breaking of ground, except common household gardening and ground care.
FAMILY
A person, two unrelated persons; or where there are more than two persons occupying a dwelling unit and living together as a single, nonprofit housekeeping until with the common culinary facilities. A family shall be limited to husband, wife, son, daughter, father, mother, brother, sister, grandfather, grandmother, grandson, granddaughter, aunt, uncle, stepchildren, and legally adopted children, or any combination of the above persons living together. Any person seeking the rights and privileges afforded a member of a family by this definition shall have the burden of proof by clear and convincing evidence of their family relationship.
FAMILY ADULT CARE HOME
A day-care program operated in a single-family dwelling where the owner resides and provides supervised care for up to five adult persons 18 years of age or older. The hours of operation shall be fewer than 24 hours per day.
[Added by Ord. No. 2014-07, 12-9-2014]
FAMILY CHILD CARE HOME
A single-family dwelling in which not more than seven minor children, who are not related to an adult member of the household by blood, marriage, or adoption, are given care and supervision for periods of less than 24 hours a day, for more than four weeks during a calendar year, unattended by a parent or legal guardian.
[Amended by Ord. No. 2014-07, 12-9-2014; 1-24-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-15]
FARM
Any parcel of land containing at least 10 acres which is used for gain in the raising of agricultural products, livestock, poultry, and dairy products. It includes necessary farm structures within prescribed properties boundaries and the storage of farm equipment used. It excludes the raising of fur-bearing animals, riding academies, livery or boarding stables, and dog kennels.
FENCE
An artificially constructed barrier of wood, masonry, stone, wire, metal, or other manufactured material or combination of materials erected to enclose, screen, or separate areas.
FLAG
A sign consisting of a piece of durable fabric or similar material, anchored along one side and attached to a permanent, freestanding pole or attached to a building.
[Added 4-28-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-16]
FLOODWAY
Please refer to § 86-436(b) for a definition of "floodway."
FLOODWAY FRINGE
Please refer to § 86-436(b) for a definition of "floodway fringe."
FLOOR AREA, USABLE
For purposes of computing parking requirements, that area to be used for the sale of merchandise or services or for use to serve patrons, clients, or customers. Such floor area which is used or intended to be used principally for the storage or processing of merchandise, hallways, stairways, and elevator shafts, or for utilities or sanitary facilities shall be excluded from this computation of usable floor area. Measurement of usable floor area shall be the sum of the horizontal areas of the several floors of the building, measured from the interior faces of the exterior walls.
FOSTER FAMILY GROUP HOME
A single-family dwelling in which more than four but less than seven children who are not related to an adult member of the household by blood, marriage, or adoption, are provided care for 24 hours a day for four or more days a week for two or more consecutive weeks unattended by a parent or legal guardian.
FOSTER FAMILY HOME
A single-family dwelling in which one but not more than four minor children, who are not related to an adult member of the household by blood, marriage, or adoption, are given care and supervision for 24 hours a day for four or more days a week for two or more consecutive weeks unattended by a parent or a legal guardian.
FREESTANDING SIGN
A structure erected for the purpose of advertising a business or activity on the same parcel. Such structures shall not be attached to a building which may be located on the same parcel. Such a sign may also be known as a pylon sign.
FUELING STATION
Each location at a gasoline pump island where a one motor vehicle may be fueled.
FUEL PUMP CANOPY
A structure erected over the gasoline pumps in a service station. Such structure may not extend over or into the public right-of-way.
FUNCTIONAL FAMILY
A group of persons occupying a dwelling unit and living together as a single, nonprofit housekeeping unit whose relationship is of a permanent and distinct domestic character, with a demonstrable and recognizable bond where each party is responsible for the basic material needs of the other and all are living and cooking as a single housekeeping unit. A functional family shall not consist of any society, club, fraternity, sorority, association, lodge, combine, federation, group, coterie, or organization, nor include a group of individuals whose association is temporary or seasonal in character or nature or for the limited duration of their education, nor a group whose sharing of a house is merely for convenience and economics. A functional family shall be given the same rights and privileges and shall have the same duties and responsibilities as a family as defined in this section for purposes of construing and interpreting this chapter. Any person seeking the rights and privileges afforded a member of a functional family shall have the burden of proof by clear and convincing evidence of each of the elements of a functional family. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to confer any legal rights upon any person on the basis of conduct otherwise unlawful under any existing law.
GARAGE
An accessory building intended or designated to be used for the storage of noncommercial vehicles.
GASOLINE SERVICE STATION
Any area of land, including any structure or structures thereon, that is used or designated for the supply of gasoline or oil or other fuel for the propulsion of vehicles. For the purposes of this chapter, the term "gasoline service station" shall also mean any area of a structure used or designed for polishing, greasing, washing, dry cleaning, spraying, but not including painting, or otherwise cleaning or servicing such motor vehicles which provides fuel for the propulsion of motor vehicles.
GOLF COURSE
A tract of land laid out for playing the game of golf and improved with tees, greens and hazards and that may include a clubhouse, shelter, and driving range.
GRADE, FINISHED
The completed surfaces of lawn, walks, and roads brought to grades or elevations shown on official plans or designs related thereto.
GRADING ACTIVITIES
Any earth stripping, cutting, filling, stockpiling, or any combination thereof, excluding these activities when directly associated with customary landscaping or gardening.
GROSS FLOOR AREA (GFA)
The sum of all gross horizontal areas of the several floors of a building or buildings measured from the outside dimensions of the foundation. Unenclosed porches, courtyards, or patios, whether covered or uncovered, shall not be considered as a part of the gross floor area unless used for commercial purposes, such as nursery beds or sales of outdoor equipment.
GROSS LEASABLE AREA (GLA)
The total floor area for which the tenant pays rent and that is designed for the tenant's occupancy and exclusive use. The term "GLA" does not include public or common areas, such as utility rooms, stairwells, or malls.
GROUNDWATER
The supply of freshwater under the surface of the earth in an aquifer or geologic formation that forms the natural reservoir for potable water.
GROUP ADULT CARE HOME
A day-care program operated in a single-family dwelling where the owner resides and provides supervised group care for more than five but no more than 12 persons 18 years of age or older. The hours of operation shall be fewer than 24 hours per day.
[Added by Ord. No. 2014-07, 12-9-2014]
GROUP CHILD CARE HOME
A single-family dwelling in which more than seven, but not more than 14, minor children, who are not related to an adult member of the household by blood, marriage, or adoption, are given care and supervision for periods of less than 24 hours a day for more than four weeks during a calendar year, unattended by a parent or legal guardian.
[Amended by Ord. No. 2014-07, 12-9-2014; 1-24-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-15]
GROUP HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
A development project consisting of two or more multiple-family buildings located on a parcel of land under a single ownership with common services or facilities.
HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE
One of the following:
(1) 
A chemical or other material which is or may become injurious to the public health, safety, or welfare or to the environment.
(2) 
A hazardous substance as defined in the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, Public Law 96-510, 94 Stat. 2767.
(3) 
A hazardous waste as defined in § 11103 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (MCL § 324.11103).
(4) 
Petroleum, as defined in the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (MCL § 324.21303(d)(ii)).
HOME OCCUPATION
Any use qualifying as a home occupation that is conducted indoors within the principal building, an attached or detached garage, or other accessory building and carried on by only those persons residing within the dwelling, provided that the use is clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the dwelling for residential purposes and does not involve any alteration of the structure or its character.
HOTEL
A building or group of buildings in which overnight lodging is offered for a fee to transient guests. The term hotel includes an extended-stay hotel or a suite hotel, but does not include a bed and breakfast operation. Extended-stay and suite hotel guest rooms may include cooking facilities and may be booked for longer guest stays than a standard hotel.
HOUSEKEEPING UNIT
See definition of "family."
INDEPENDENT LIVING
Provision of some basic services such as meals, housekeeping, grounds maintenance, security, and common areas and common facilities for events and activities for patients or residents.
[Added by Ord. No. 2019-09, 5-21-2019]
JUNK YARD
Any land or building used for abandonment, storage, keeping, collecting, or baling of paper, rags, scrap metals, other scrap or discarded materials, or for abandonment, demolition, dismantling, storage, or salvaging of automobiles or other vehicles not in normal running condition, machinery or parts thereof.
KENNEL
Any lot or premises used for the sale, boarding, or breeding of dogs, cats, and/or other household pets over the age of six months. The term "kennel" shall also mean the keeping of five dogs, cats, or other household pets having four legs over the age of six months.
KENNEL, COMMERCIAL
Any lot or premises used for the commercial sale, boarding, or treatment of dogs, cats, or other domestic pets.
KENNEL, PRIVATE
Any lot or premises used for the private maintenance of up to 10 dogs, cats, or other household pets not involving any commercial activities except breeding not more than two animals at any one time which are not the property of the occupant or owner of the property on which the kennel is located. Keeping more than 10 animals shall be considered a commercial kennel regardless of ownership of the animals.
LAKE ACCESS PROPERTY
A lot, parcel, site, or easement held in common by a subdivision, condominium, association, similar agency, or group of individuals, which abuts Lake Lansing and is used or intended to be used for the purposes of providing ingress and egress to Lake Lansing by pedestrian or vehicular traffic from offshore land, regardless of whether said ingress and egress to the water is gained by easement, common fee ownership, single fee ownership, lease, license, gift, business invitation, or any other form or dedication or conveyance.
LAWN
Land covered with grass, either naturally occurring or planted, which is kept closely mowed, either by mechanical or manual means.
LICENSED PROFESSIONAL CARE
Specialized health care available 24 hours per day given under the supervision of professionals or technical personnel, including but not limited to memory care, rehabilitation, physical therapy, occupational therapy, social services, tube feedings, complex wound dressings, or rapidly changing health status.
[Added by Ord. No. 2019-09, 5-21-2019]
LIGHTING, SOURCE OF
For purposes of this chapter, the source of light shall refer to the light bulb or filament which is exposed or visible through a clear material. Exposed mercury vapor lamps or neon lamps shall be considered a direct source of light.
LIGHT MANUFACTURING
A business engaged in the production from previously prepared materials of finished projects, including fabrication, assembly, packaging, incidental storage, sales, and distribution of such products, but excluding basic industrial processing.
LIMITED SNACK BAR SERVICE
A food service counter where snacks are served. Examples include, but are not limited to, ice cream, candy, beverages, popcorn, sandwiches, and hot dogs.
LOADING SPACE
An off-street space on the same lot with a building or group of buildings for the temporary parking of a commercial vehicle while loading or unloading merchandise or materials.
LOT
Land occupied or to be occupied by a building, structure, land use, or group of buildings, together with such open spaces or yards as are required under this chapter and having its principal frontage upon a street.
LOT, CORNER
A lot or parcel of land abutting upon two or more streets at their intersection or upon two parts of the same street forming an interior angle of less than 135°.
086 Basic Lot Types.tif
LOT, DEPTH OF
The mean distance from the street line of the lot to its opposite rear line measured in the general direction of the side lines of the lot.
LOT, INTERIOR
A lot other than a corner lot.
LOT LINE
Any of the lines bounding a lot as defined in this chapter.
LOT OF RECORD
A lot which is part of a subdivision, the map of which has been recorded in the office of the register of deeds in the county or a parcel or lot described by metes and bounds, the deed to which has been recorded in the office of the registrar of deeds in the county.
LOT, REVERSE FRONTAGE
A through lot that is not accessible from one of the parallel or nonintersecting streets upon which it fronts.
086 Reverse Frontage Lots.tif
LOT, THROUGH
A lot that fronts upon two parallel streets or that fronts upon two streets that do not intersect at the boundaries of the lot.
LOT, WIDTH OF
The dimension measured along the front line of street line except in the case where a curvilinear street pattern produces irregularly shaped lots with nonparallel lot lines, lot width shall be measured along the chord of the arc created by the building line for lots with a concave front lot line and along the chord of the arc created by a line 40 feet to the rear of and parallel to the building line for lots with a convex front lot line. In no case shall the front lot line of a lot located on a curvilinear street be less than 50 feet in dimension.
086 Lot Width of.tif
MAJOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECT
As used in this chapter, a major construction project shall be any infrastructure project or major redevelopment of an existing property that has a direct impact on five or more adjacent businesses.
[Added 4-28-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-16]
MANUFACTURED HOME
A dwelling constructed in accordance with applicable federal, state, and Township codes or regulations, transportable in one or more sections, which is built on a chassis and designed to be used with or without a permanent foundation, when connected to the required utilities, and includes the plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and electrical systems contained therein. The term "manufactured home" does not include a vehicle primarily designed and used as a temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, or travel purposes, including a vehicle having its own motor power or a vehicle mounted on or drawn by another vehicle.
MARIHUANA
That term as defined in Section 7106 of the Michigan Public Health Code, 1978 PA 368, MCLA § 333.7106.
[Added by Ord. No. 2019-10, 5-21-2019]
MARIHUANA BUSINESS
One of the following:
[Added 7-11-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-19]
(1) 
A marihuana retailer, as defined by Initiated Law 1 of 2018;[2]
(2) 
A provisioning center, as defined Act 281 of 2016.[3]
MARIHUANA RETAILER
A location at which a licensee is licensed under the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act (Initiated Law 1 of 2018)[4] to obtain marijuana from marijuana establishments and to sell or otherwise transfer marijuana to marijuana establishments and to individuals who are 21 years or age or older.
[Added 7-11-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-19]
MASTER PLAN or COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT PLAN
The statement of policy by the Township Planning Commission relative to the agreed upon and officially adopted guidelines for a desirable physical pattern for future community development. The plan consists of a series of maps, charts, and written material representing in summary form the soundest concept for community growth to occur in an orderly, attractive, economical, and efficient manner thereby creating the very best community living conditions.
MEDICAL MARIHUANA
That term as defined in MCLA § 333.26423.
[Added by Ord. No. 2019-10, 5-21-2019]
MEMORY CARE
Specialized skilled nursing and settings offering stepped-up services for patients or residents with Alzheimer's disease or other types of dementia.
[Added by Ord. No. 2019-09, 5-21-2019]
MINI-STORAGE ESTABLISHMENT
A building or group of buildings containing leased units designed for the storage of property for individuals, organizations, and businesses, which are accessed by separate exterior doorways for each unit. These are also known as self-storage facilities or mini-warehouse facilities.
MOTEL
A building or group of buildings in which overnight lodging is offered for a fee to transient guests, primarily catering to the public traveling by motor vehicle. Guest services provided in a hotel may also be provided in a motel. The term motel includes motor inn, motor lodge, and inn, but does not include a bed and breakfast operation.
MOTOR VEHICLE
Any self-propelled vehicle designed primarily for transportation of persons or goods along public streets, roads or other public ways.
[Added 5-6-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-02]
MURAL
Any graphic design, such as, but not limited to, a mosaic, picture, scene, or diagram painted on any wall which does not contain any brand name, product name, logo, trademark, trade name, identifiable commercial representation, or any other commercial message or advertising, whether by spelling, abbreviating, depiction, or otherwise.
[Amended 4-28-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-16]
NET ACREAGE
The area of the lot excluding floodways, wetlands, areas with steep slopes, or other constrained areas or easements.
NET METERING
A special metering and billing agreement between a utility company and its customers which facilitates the interconnection of renewable energy generating systems to the electrical power grid.
NEWLY DISCOVERED EVIDENCE
The relevant facts, data, or other proof supporting a request for rezoning and/or variance that was not known, and through the exercise of reasonable diligence could not have been known, by the applicant prior to the date of the Township's denial of that request.
NONCONFORMING USE
A building, structure, or use of land lawfully in existence at the time of enactment of this chapter and which does not conform with the regulations of the district or zone in which it is situated.
NUISANCE
An offensive, annoying, unpleasant, or obnoxious thing or practice, a cause or source of annoyance, especially a continuing or repeating invasion of any physical characteristics of activity or use across a property line which can be perceived by or affects a human being, or the generation of an excessive or concentrated movement of people or things such as noise, dust, smoke, odor, glare, fumes, flashes, vibration, shock waves, heat, electronic or atomic radiation, objectionable effluent, noise of a congregation of people, particularly at night, passing traffic, and invasion of street frontage by traffic generated from an adjacent land use which lacks sufficient parking and circulation facilities.
OPEN SPACE
An unoccupied space open to the sky on the same lot with a building.
ORDINARY HIGH-WATER MARK
The line between upland and bottomland which persists through successive changes in water levels, below which the presence and action of the water is so common or recurrent that the character of the land is marked distinctly from the upland and is apparent in the soil itself, the configuration of the surface of the soil, and the vegetation.
ORDINARY HIGH-WATER MARK FOR LAKE LANSING
The water level established by the Ingham County Circuit Court on February 26, 2003, at 852.29 feet above mean sea level.
OUTDOOR ADVERTISING STRUCTURES
Those permanent signs and billboards which may be erected for the purposes of advertising businesses which may or may not be located on the same parcel.
[Amended 4-28-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-16]
PARCEL
A continuous area or acreage of land.
PATIENT
A "registered qualifying patient" or a "visiting qualifying patient" as those terms are defined by MCLA § 333.26421 et seq.
[Added by Ord. No. 2019-10, 5-21-2019]
PAWN SHOP
A business where personal property is left as security for a loan of money and where the property may be sold in lieu of loan repayment.
PEAK HOUR
The hour of highest volume of traffic entering and exiting the site in the morning (a.m.) or the afternoon (p.m.).
PERMIT
A current and valid permit for a commercial medical marihuana facility issued under the Charter Township of Meridian Ordinance Authorizing and Permitting Commercial Medical Marihuana Facilities, Charter Township of Meridian Ordinance No. 2019-01,[5] which shall be granted to a permit holder only for and limited to a specific permitted premises and a specific permitted property. Said permit shall be in addition to the special use permit required to be obtained under this Zoning Ordinance.
[Added by Ord. No. 2019-10, 5-21-2019]
PERSON
A natural person, company, partnership, profit or nonprofit corporation, limited-liability company, or any joint venture for a common purpose.
[Added by Ord. No. 2019-10, 5-21-2019]
PLANNED COMMUNITY UNIT DEVELOPMENT
A land area which has both individual building sites and common property, such as a park, and which is designed and developed under one owner or organized group as a separate neighborhood or community unit (PUD).
PORTABLE ON-SITE DELIVERABLE STORAGE UNITS
Also known as "PODS." A transportable container or portable structure or other unit designed and used primarily for storage of building materials, household goods, personal items, and other materials outside an enclosed building, other than accessory building.
[Added 8-4-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-12]
PROPERTY
A lot or parcel of land together with all structures thereon.
PROVISIONING CENTER
A location at which a licensee that is a commercial entity is licensed under the Medical Marihuana Facilities Act (Act 281 of 2016),[6] to purchase marijuana from a grower or processor and sell at retail, supply, or provide marijuana to a registered qualifying medical marijuana patient or registered primary caregiver.
[Added 7-11-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-19]
PUBLIC UTILITY
Any person, firm, corporation, or municipal department or board fully authorized to furnish to the public electricity, gas, steam, telephone, telegraph, transportation, sewage treatment, or water.
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE
Any vehicle that can be hauled, towed, or driven and is designed for recreational, camping or travel uses including, but not limited to, snowmobiles, all-terrain or off-road vehicles, motor homes, travel trailers, truck campers, and folding tent campers.
RELIGIOUS INSTITUTION
Churches and ecclesiastical or denominational organizations, or established physical places for worship at which nonprofit religious services and activities take place.
RESTAURANT, DRIVE-IN OR SELF SERVICE
Any places or premises used for sale dispensing, or serving of food, refreshments or beverages in automobiles, including those establishments where customers may serve themselves and may eat or drink the food, refreshments, or beverages on the premises or may carry-out.
RIGHT-OF-WAY
A street, alley, or other thoroughfare or easement permanently established for passage of persons, vehicles, or the location of utilities. The right-of-way is delineated by legally established lines or boundaries.
ROAD
A way for vehicular traffic, whether designated as a street, highway, thoroughfare, avenues, boulevard, lane, cul-de-sac, or otherwise designated, and included the entire area within the right-of-way.
ROAD, ARTERIAL
Roads serving comparatively large volumes of high speed (45 miles per hour or greater), long-distance or through traffic and which also provide access to abutting properties.
ROAD, COLLECTOR
Roads that provide access to abutting properties and which link development roads, collector roads, or other local roads to major traffic roads.
ROAD, LOCAL
Roads intended to provide access to abutting properties, accommodate lower traffic volumes and provide mobility within a local neighborhood.
ROOF LINE or CORNICE
The point at which the wall of a structure meets the roof.
ROOMER
Any person, not the principal tenant or a family member of the principal tenant, who resides in a dwelling unit and pays remuneration to the principal tenant, as distinguished from a guest who does not pay remuneration. The roomer shall not have private cooking facilities available. Rooms with private cooking facilities shall be considered apartments.
SAFE FALL ZONE
A distance from the base of the wireless communication facility, measured in all directions, where an unoccupied area shall be maintained, except for accessory structures related to the facility, in case of structural damage to the facility, falling debris, or catastrophic failure.
SATELLITE TELEVISION ANTENNA, EARTH STATION, OR DISH ANTENNA
A device which permits the reception of signals generated by communication transmitters in planetary orbit.
SCREEN
Includes, but is not limited to, trees, shrubs, walls, fences, used to create a visual or noise barrier.
SCREENING
A continuous fence, wall, dense evergreen, and/or deciduous hedge, berm, or combination thereof, supplemented with landscape planting, that would effectively screen the property which it encloses and is broken only by access drives and walks. Materials used may only include masonry, brick, wood, plastic, metal (except chain link), or vegetation.
SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY
A facility comprised of a building or group of buildings providing a continuity of residential occupancy and health care for elderly persons. This type of facility includes dwelling units for independent living, assisted living, and memory care or other licensed professional care for residents; it may include ancillary facilities for the further service or care of the residents. The facility is restricted to persons 55 years of age or older or married couples or domestic partners where either spouse or partner is 55 years of age or older.
[Added by Ord. No. 2019-09, 5-21-2019]
SERVICE DRIVE (also "FRONTAGE ROAD" and "REAR SERVICE DRIVE")
A public or private road, auxiliary to and normally parallel to Grand River Avenue (M-43), that maintains local road continuity and provides access to properties adjacent to the controlled access facility.
SHADOW FLICKER
A moving shadow created by the sun shining through the rotating blades of a wind energy system onto the ground and stationary objects.
SHOPPING CENTER
A business or group of businesses which provides a variety of merchandise and/or services which requires a location on a major road and a large parking area to accommodate vehicular traffic. Such a center may be a small neighborhood center, a discount store, or a mall, though this does not limit such use to be one or any of these.
SHORELINE
The boundary between the land and water as established by the ordinary high-water mark.
SIGHT DISTANCE
The distance that the driver of a stopped vehicle can view along a roadway to decide when to enter or cross an intersecting road. Safe sight distance shall be a distance that a driver can view that is sufficient for perception reaction time and to make a turning movement onto the roadway and accelerate to posted speed prior to a vehicle entering the view to reach the point of the driver.
SIGN
A display or illustration which is affixed to, painted on, or otherwise located or set upon a building, structure, or piece of land, which directs attention to an object, place, product, activity, person, institution, organization, or business and which is visible from any public street, sidewalk, alley, park, public property or from other private property, but not including signs which are directed at persons within the premises of the sign owner.
[Amended 4-28-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-16]
SIGN, ABANDONED
A sign that is abandoned is any sign, including its supporting structure, placed on a premises for which the use of the premises that was occurring at the time the sign was erected has been discontinued for a period of 90 days or more. A sign for a specific tenant or use in a multi-tenant or multi-use sign is also an abandoned sign notwithstanding the continued use of the majority of the sign or structure. Permanent signs applicable to a business temporarily suspended by a change in ownership or management shall be deemed abandoned if the structure remains vacant for at least 90 days.
[Added 4-28-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-16]
SIGN, A-FRAME
A double-sided sign designed as a "A" frame, typically hinged or joined at one or more points and self-supported.
SIGN, CANOPY
A sign that is displayed or affixed flat on the surface of a canopy and does not extend beyond the limits of the canopy. Such signs are considered wall signs for the purpose of regulation.
[Added 4-28-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-16]
SIGN, DEVELOPMENT ENTRY
A freestanding sign that is installed at the road entrance(s) to a development to identify the overall development project, rather than individual businesses or uses within the development.
[Added 4-28-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-16]
SIGN, DRIVE-THROUGH ACCESSORY
A permanent sign installed adjacent to a drive-through lane to facilitate ordering and communications to on-site customers.
[Added 4-28-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-16]
SIGN, ELECTRONIC MESSAGE
A sign or portion of a sign that displays an electronic image using changing lights or similar forms of electronic display to form a message. This includes, but is not limited to, television screens, plasma screens, digital screens, flat screens, LED or LCD displays, flipper matrix, and holographic displays.
[Added 4-28-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-16]
SIGN, FREESTANDING
A sign that is attached to a self-supporting structure other than a building. The support structure shall be placed in or below the ground and not attached to any other structure.
[Added 4-28-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-16]
SIGN, OFF-PREMISES
A sign that displays a message directing attention to a business, product, service, profession, commodity, activity, event, person, institution or other commercial message which is generally conducted, sold, manufactured, produced, offered, or occurs elsewhere than on the premises where the sign is located.
[Added 4-28-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-16]
SIGN, ON-PREMISES
A sign that is not an off-premises sign.
[Added 4-28-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-16]
SIGN, PROJECTING
A sign that is affixed in a nonparallel manner to the wall of a building, extending outward from the building.
[Added 4-28-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-16]
SIGN, TEMPORARY
A sign that is installed for a limited period of time and intended to be removed within a time period as specific herein.
[Added 4-28-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-16]
SIGN, WALL
A sign that is affixed parallel to the wall or window of a building, not projecting above the top wall or beyond the end of the building. For the purposes of this chapter, signs affixed to the sloping surface of a mansard roof or canopy shall be considered a wall sign.
[Added 4-28-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-16]
SIGN, WINDOW
A sign that is affixed to a window in a manner that does not create any projection away from the window pane on which the sign is installed.
[Added 4-28-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-16]
SITE
A contiguous area of land upon which an activity takes place or a project is developed or proposed for development.
STEALTH WIRELESS FACILITY DESIGN
A wireless communications facility which is not recognizable as a conventional facility (e.g., a metal lattice or monopole), but instead is disguised, concealed, or architecturally integrated into a building's design in such a fashion as to conform to its surroundings.
[Amended by Ord. No. 2016-03, 1-5-2016]
STORAGE, OUTDOOR
The placing, depositing or stockpiling of any materials, products, equipment, vehicles or trailers outside the confines of an enclosed building.
STORY
That portion of a building included between the surface of any floor and the surface of the next floor above it, or if there is no floor above it, then the space between the floor and the ceiling next above it.
STORY, HALF
A space under a sloping roof which has the line of intersection of roof decking and wall face not more than three feet above the top floor level and in which space not more than two-thirds of the floor area is finished off for use. A half-story containing independent apartments or living quarters shall be counted as a full story.
STORY, HEIGHT OF
The vertical distance from the top surface of one floor to the top surface of the next above. The height of the topmost story is the distance from the top surface of the floor to the ceiling above it.
STREET
A public or private thoroughfare, which affords the principal means of access to abutting property.
STREET LINE
The legal line of demarcation between a dedicated street right-of-way and abutting land; not to be confused with the master plan right-of-way line.
STRUCTURAL ALTERATIONS
Any change in the supporting members of a building such as bearing walls, columns, beams, or girders or any substantial changes in the roof and exterior walls.
STRUCTURE
Anything constructed or erected, the use of which requires more or less permanent location on the ground or attached to something having a permanent location on the ground, excepting utility poles.
TEMPORARY CONTAINER UNIT
A portable and transportable bin with a storage capacity of over 250 gallons, designed and used for storage or disposal of building materials, household goods, personal items, or other materials outside an enclosed building, other than an accessory building.
[Added 8-4-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-12]
TOWER, GUYED
A freestanding structure, which can also utilize lattice or monopole designs, that incorporates guy wires for support. Guyed towers are used for supporting communications equipment and/or for broadcasting purposes generally at greater heights than nonguyed towers.
TOWER, LATTICE
A freestanding structure composed generally of three or four steel leg supports used to support communication equipment or an anemometer (see graphic following definition of "antenna, whip").
TOWER, MONOPOLE
A freestanding structure composed of a single spire used to support communication equipment or a wind energy system (see graphic following definition of "antenna, whip").
TOXIC SUBSTANCE
Pollutants, including disease-carrying agents, that after discharge and upon exposure, ingestion, inhalation, or assimilation into any organism can cause death, disease, mutations, deformities, or malfunctions in such organisms or their offspring and that adversely affect the environment.
TRAILER
Any type of vehicle hauled or towed by a motor vehicle, which may include, but is not limited to, a utility trailer, boat trailer, horse trailer, snowmobile trailer, or motorcycle trailer.
UNRELATED PERSON
Two or more persons not constituting a family as defined in this section.
USEABLE SATELLITE SIGNAL
A signal that, when viewed on conventional television, is at least equal in quality to that of local commercial or cable television.
USE
The purpose for which land or a building is arranged, designed or intended, or for which land or a building may be occupied.
WALL
A constructed solid barrier of concrete, stone, brick, tile, wood, or similar type of material that closes, marks, or borders a field, yard, or lot when the wall acts as a screen or fence, limits visibility and restricts the flow of air and light. This definition shall not include a wall of a building or structure.
WATERCRAFT
A craft or apparatus designed for use on water with or without a motor or engine and intended for recreational purposes.
WATER FEATURE, also known as "SURFACE WATER FEATURE"
The following:
(1) 
WETLANDSAll wetlands defined and regulated under Township, state, or by federal law.
(2) 
WATERCOURSESAny natural or artificial watercourse, stream, river, creek, ditch, channel, canal, conduit, culvert, drain, waterway, gully, ravine, or wash in which water flows in a definite direction or course, either continuously or intermittently, and which has a definite channel, bed and banks, and shall include any area adjacent thereto subject to inundation by reason of overflow or floodwater.
(3) 
WATER BODYA natural or artificial lake, pond or any other collection of water that has definite banks, a bed, and visible evidence of a constant flow or constant occurrence of water.
WETLANDS
Please refer to Chapter 22, Article IV, for a definition of "wetlands."
WIND ENERGY SYSTEM
The equipment which converts and then stores or transfers energy from the wind into usable forms of energy including, but not limited to, the wind turbine and the tower.
WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT
The set of equipment and network components used in the provision of wireless communications services, including, but not limited to, antennas, transmitters, receivers, base stations, equipment shelters, cabinets, emergency generators, power supply cables, and coaxial and fiberoptic cables, but excluding wireless communications support structures.
[Added by Ord. No. 2016-03, 1-5-2016]
WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS FACILITY
A site where a wireless communications support structure, wireless communications equipment, or a wireless communications equipment compound is located.
[Amended by Ord. No. 2016-03, 1-5-2016]
WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT STRUCTURE
A structure that is designed to support, or is capable of supporting, wireless communications equipment, including a monopole, self-supporting lattice tower, guyed tower, water tower, utility pole, or building.
[Added by Ord. No. 2016-03, 1-5-2016]
YARD
An open space on the same lot with a building unoccupied and unobstructed from the ground upward. Except as otherwise provided herein, the measurement of a yard shall be construed as the minimum horizontal distance between the lot line and the building line.
YARD, FRONT
A yard extending across the front of a lot between the side lot lines and measured between the front line of the lot and the nearest point of the main building or land use.
YARD, REAR
An open space on the same lot with a main building unoccupied except as herein permitted, extending the full width of the lot, and situated between the rear line of the lot and the rear line of the building projected to the side lines of the lot. The depth of the rear yard shall be measured between the rear line of the lot, or the centerline of the alley, if there be an alley, and the rear line of the building.
YARD, REAR (CORNER LOT)
An open space on the same lot with a principal building unoccupied except as herein permitted, extending the width of the lot between a lot line and a front yard setback line or between two front yard setback lines for a lot with frontage on more than two streets. The depth of the rear yard shall be measured between the rear line of the lot, or the centerline of the alley, if there be an alley, and the rear line of the building.
YARD, SIDE
An open unoccupied space on the same lot with the building situated between the building and the side line of the lot and extending from the front yard to the rear yard. Any line not a front line or a rear line shall be deemed a side line.
Required Yards
086 Required Yards.tif
Cross reference: Definitions generally, § 1-2.
[1]
Editor's Note: See MCLA § 333.27101 et seq.
[2]
Editor's Note: See MCL § 333.27951 et seq.
[3]
Editor's Note: See MCL § 333.27101 et seq.
[4]
Editor's Note: See MCL § 333.27951 et seq.
[5]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 40, Medical Marihuana, Art. II, Commercial Medical Marihuana Facilities.
[6]
Editor's Note: See MCL § 333.27101 et seq.
[Code 1974, § 81-1.7]
The following rules of construction shall apply to the language in this chapter:
(1) 
The specific controls the general.
(2) 
Unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary, the following conjunctions shall mean as follows:
a. 
"And" indicates that all connected items, conditions, provisions, or events shall apply.
b. 
"Or" indicates that all connected items, conditions, provisions, or events may apply singly or in any combination.
c. 
"Either" indicates that the connected items, conditions, provisions, or events shall apply singly but not in combination.
(3) 
In case of conflict between the text and a diagram, a schedule, or a figure, the text controls.
(4) 
References to departments, commissions, boards, and other offices are to those of the Township, unless otherwise indicated.
(5) 
A reference to a public official of the Township is to that person who performs the function referred to, and may include a designee of the public official.
(6) 
A reference to days is to calendar days unless otherwise indicated in this chapter or specified by state law. If a deadline falls on a weekend or Township holiday, the time for performing an act is extended to the next working day. A working day is defined as any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or official Township holiday.
(7) 
In computing a period of days, the day of the act or event from which the designated period of days begins to run is excluded, and the last day of the period is included, unless the last day is not a working day. If the last day is not a working day, the period runs until the end of the next day which is a working day. In computing a period of less than seven days, Saturdays, Sundays, and Township holidays are excluded.
(8) 
Use of "shall," "will," and "must" is mandatory; "may" is permissive.
(9) 
Use of "including," "includes," "such as," "additional" and "supplemental" is illustrative and not intended as an exhaustive listing, unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary.
(10) 
Words in the present tense include the future, and words used in the singular include the plural, and the plural the singular, unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary.
(11) 
The word "person" includes a firm, association, organization, partnership, trust, estate, company, corporation, joint venture, political subdivision, or body of persons, as well as an individual.
(12) 
Any word not interpreted or defined by the ordinance shall be used with a meaning of common or standard utilization.
[Code 1974, § 81-1.2; Ord. No. 2007-12, 10-28-2007]
This chapter is enacted pursuant to the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act PA 110 of 2006 (MCL § 125.3101 et seq.) and the Michigan Municipal Planning Act 285 of 1931 (MCL § 125.31 et seq.), replaced by the Michigan Planning Enabling Act PA 33 of 2008 (MCL § 125.3801 et seq., as amended).
[Code 1974, § 81-1.3; Ord. No. 2007-12, 10-28-2007]
The purpose of this chapter is to promote the public health, safety, economic, and general welfare of the residents of the Township by regulating the development of land and establishing districts in which uses of land and structures are regulated. Specifically, this chapter is designed to accomplish the purposes set forth in the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act PA 110 of 2006 (MCL § 125.3101 et seq.) including the following:
(1) 
Encourage the preservation and use of lands, open space, and natural resources in accordance with their character and suitability for particular purposes and limit the improper use of land and natural resources.
(2) 
Foster harmonious relationships among land uses and prevent or minimize land use incompatibilities.
(3) 
Promote and enhance the stability of the Township's neighborhoods, commercial areas, and special or historic areas.
(4) 
Avoid overconcentrations of population.
(5) 
Reduce the hazards to life and property from fire, flood, and other dangers.
(6) 
Limit or lessen congestion on the public roads and streets.
(7) 
Provide for adequate space, light, and air.
(8) 
Promote wise and efficient expenditure of public funds for public improvements and services to conform with the most advantageous uses of land and resources.
(9) 
Facilitate adequate and efficient provision of transportation systems, sewage disposal, safe and adequate water supply, storm drainage, hazardous materials management, education, recreation, and other public services, utilities, and facilities.
(10) 
Establish controls for activities, operations, or uses that produce environmental impacts or irritants to sensory perception including noise, odor, dust, or other irritants.
[Code 1974, § 81-1.4]
The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all land within the Township's jurisdiction, including that owned by the Township or other local, state, or federal agency, to the extent permitted by law.
[Code 1974, § 81-1.5; Ord. No. 2007-12, 10-28-2007]
If any requirements of this chapter are found not to be consistent with the requirements of other lawfully adopted rules, regulations, or ordinances, then, except as provided in the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act PA 110 of 2006 (MCL § 125.3101 et seq.), the provisions of this chapter control.
State law reference: Similar provisions, MCL 125.298.
[Code 1974, § 81-1.6]
If any court of competent jurisdiction shall declare any part of this chapter to be invalid, such ruling shall not affect any other provisions of this chapter. If any court of competent jurisdiction shall declare any application of any provision of this chapter to a particular property, structure, or land to be invalid, such ruling shall not affect the application of such provision to any other property, structure, or land.
[Code 1974, §§ 81-1.4, 81-5.1]
(a) 
No land or building within the Township shall be occupied or used except in compliance with the provisions of this chapter. No building within the Township shall be erected, altered, repaired, or moved except in compliance with the provisions of this chapter. No person shall use or occupy any land or building within the Township, nor shall any person erect, alter, repair, or move any building within the Township except in compliance with this chapter.
(b) 
The prohibition of any act in this chapter, in any amendment thereof and in any rule or regulation adopted hereunder shall include the causing, securing, aiding or abetting of another person to do such act.
(c) 
No building or structure shall be built, erected, altered, changed, or remodeled without permits under this chapter. It is the duty of any person in charge of such work and person who performs such work to make sure the required permits have been applied for and obtained to make sure a permit has been obtained or fails to perform in accordance with the permit shall be guilty of a violation of this chapter and subject to the penalties prescribed in this chapter.
[Code 1974, §§ 81-5.2, 81-5.4, 81-5.5]
(a) 
Buildings erected, altered, razed, or converted, or uses established or carried on in violation of any provision of this chapter, are hereby declared to be a nuisance per se. The court having jurisdiction shall order such nuisances abated and the owner and/or agent in charge of such building or land shall be adjudged guilty of maintaining a nuisance per se.
(b) 
A person who violates any provision of this chapter is responsible for a municipal civil infraction, subject to payment of a civil fine, as established by the Township Board, plus costs and other sanctions, for each infraction.
(c) 
Each act of violation and every day upon which such violation shall occur shall constitute a separate offense or infraction. Abatements shall not be considered as payment or part of a violation's penalty.
(d) 
In addition to all other remedies, including the penalties provided in subsection (b) of this section, the Township may commence and prosecute appropriate actions in the county circuit court or any other court having jurisdiction to restrain or prevent any noncompliance with or violation of any of the provisions of this chapter or to correct, remedy, or abate such noncompliance or violation.
State law reference: Violations, MCL 125.294.