ARTICLE VI:                GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

Section 6.01                Intent and Purpose

 

The following general provisions establish regulations, which are applicable in all zoning districts unless otherwise indicated.

 

Section 6.02                 Keeping of Animals

 

A.         Wild animals: No wild animal nor vicious animal shall be kept permanently or temporarily in any district in the Township accept in an bona fide public zoo or bona fide licensed circus, or by a person licensed by the State of Michigan to temporarily harbor and treat injured animals or animals designated as belonging to an endangered species until release into a permanent habitat is possible.

 

B.         Livestock: The raising and keeping of livestock, and/or small animals such as poultry, rabbits, and goats may be conducted on a lot of two (2) acres or larger in the RR, Rural Residential and SR, Suburban Residential districts. Further, all such raising and keeping or killing and dressing of poultry and animals processed upon the premises, shall be for the use or consumption by the occupants of the premises.

 

1.         Animals shall be owned and managed by the occupants of the premises.

 

2.         The occupants of the premises shall keep the odor, sounds and movement of the animals from becoming a nuisance to adjacent properties.

 

3.         No storage of manure, odor or dust producing materials or use shall be permitted within one hundred (100) feet of any adjoining lot line.

 

4.         Animal density shall not exceed 1.4 animal units per acre, except for private stables as provided in Section 8.01.D.2 and Section 8.02.D.1.

 

C.                  Household pets: The keeping of household pets, such as dogs, cats, and other animals generally regarded as household pets is permitted as an accessory use in any residential zoning district provided that the number of pets, except as provided below for dogs, does not exceed eleven (11). If more than three (3) dogs are kept as household pets, none of the dogs kept shall be counted as a household pet nor be considered a permitted accessory use but instead the owner must obtain a hobby kennel permit as provided herein.

 

D.                  Hobby kennels: The keeping of more than three (3) dogs, but less than eleven (11) shall only be allowed subject to the hobby kennel provisions of this ordinance and issuance of an appropriate permit by the Township. Hobby kennels are permitted subject to the special conditions in the Rural Residential (Section 8.01) and Suburban Residential District (Section 8.02). Hobby kennels are permitted only by special use permit in the Urban Residential District (Section 8.03) and are subject to the requirements of Section 17.19.B.

 

E.                  Commercial kennels: The keeping of eleven (11) or more dogs shall be subject to the commercial kennel provisions of this ordinance. Commercial kennels are only permitted by special use permit in the Rural Residential (Section 8.01.E) and Suburban Residential (Section 8.02.E) Districts and are subject to the requirements of Section 17.19A.

 

Section 6.03                 Essential Services

 

Essential services shall be permitted as authorized and regulated by law and other ordinances of the Township, it being the intention hereof to exempt such essential services from the application of this Ordinance, except that essential services do not include public facilities separately regulated by Section 17.25 and communication towers regulated by Section 17.10.

 

Section 6.04                 Swimming Pools

 

A.         Classification: A swimming pool shall be considered as an accessory building for the purposes of determining required yard spaces. If the swimming pool is enclosed by a roof, the enclosure area shall be included in the calculation of lot coverage.

 

B.         Application: The application for a land use permit to erect a swimming pool shall include the name of the owner, the manner of supervision of the pool, a plot plan, and location of adjacent buildings, fencing, gates, and other detailed information affecting construction and safety measures deemed necessary by the Zoning Administrator.

 

C.         Fencing: Yard areas with pools are to be fenced to discourage unsupervised access.

 

1.         Such fencing is to be a minimum of four (4) feet high, and equipped with a self-closing and self-latching gate.

 

2.         Latching devices are to be located at a minimum height of three (3) feet above the ground.

 

3.         Such fencing may be omitted where building walls without doorways abut the pool area, provided that the entire perimeter of the pool area is secured.

 

4.         Above ground swimming pools with sides four (4) feet or more above grade, do not require fencing but do require a removable access ladder that lifts for safety.

  

D.         Placement: No swimming pool shall be located in any easement.

 

E.         Setbacks: No swimming pool shall be located in any front yard.

 

F.         Lighting: No lights shall be erected, operated or maintained in connection with a swimming pool in such a manner as to create an annoyance to surrounding properties.

 

G.         Overhead Wiring: Service drop conductors and any other open overhead wiring shall not be above a swimming pool.

 

Section 6.05                 Moving Buildings

 

No existing building or other structure within or outside of the Township shall be relocated upon any parcel or lot within the Township unless the building design and construction are compatible with the general architectural character, design and construction of other structures located in the immediate area of the proposed site; the building and all materials therein are in conformity with the Building Code enforced in the Township; and the building or structure can be located upon the parcel and conform to all other requirements of the respective zoning district.

 

Section 6.06                 Temporary Uses and Buildings

 

All temporary uses and buildings are permitted in all districts unless otherwise provided or otherwise limited herein. Temporary buildings not greater than three hundred (300) square feet in area and not to be used for dwelling purposes may be placed on a lot or parcel of record and occupied only under the following conditions as authorized by a temporary land use permit issued by the Zoning Administrator.

 

A.         Fire Damage: During renovation of a permanent building damaged by fire. The temporary building must be removed when repair of fire damage is complete, but in no case shall it be located on the lot or parcel for more than ninety (90) days.

 

B.         New Construction: Temporary buildings incidental to construction work, except single-family residences. Said temporary buildings shall be removed within fifteen (15) days after construction is complete, but in no case shall the building or structure be allowed for more than twelve (12) months, unless expressly authorized after petition to the Zoning Board of Appeals.

 

C.         Churches and Schools: Temporary building incidental to a church or school, provided that all wiring, plumbing, fire protection and exits are approved by the Fire Chief and Building Inspector, and by relevant state agencies.

 

D.         Habitation of Accessory Buildings and Recreational Vehicles: No garage, barn, other accessory building, or cellar, whether fixed or portable, shall be used or occupied as a dwelling. Recreational vehicles or motor homes may be occupied for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days in one (1) year unless in an approved recreational vehicle park or campground.

 

E.         Garage Sales: Garage sales, rummage sales, yard sales, moving sales, and similar activities shall be considered temporary uses within any residential zoning district subject to the following conditions:

 

1.         Any garage sale, rummage sale or similar activity shall be allowed without a temporary land use permit for a period not to exceed four (4) days within a six (6) month period. Such activities in operation for a period of time in excess of four (4) days shall require a temporary land use permit from the Zoning Administrator.

 

2.         In no instance shall more than four (4) garage sales, rummage sales or similar activities be held in any one location within any twelve (12) month period.

 

F.         Outdoor Display of Merchandise: Outdoor display and sales of merchandise is permitted within the Highway Service District, but is limited to two (2) events per calendar year, not exceeding four (4) consecutive days, limited to only merchandise customarily sold on the premises by a permanently established business on that lot.

 

G.         Temporary Real Estate Offices: Temporary real estate offices are permitted within approved development projects. No cooking or sleeping accommodations shall be maintained. The permit shall be valid for not more than one (1) year, but is renewable. The office shall be removed upon completion of the development. A model home may be used as a temporary real estate office.

 

H.         Auctions: The public sale of property to the highest bidder shall be permitted for not more than five (5) days. No sales activity shall occur within thirty (30) feet of any road right-of-way.

 

I.          Temporary Dwellings: The following temporary dwellings may be permitted provided the proposed dwelling meets the intent and requirements of one of the following subsections.

 

1.         Emergency Housing: For construction of a new single-family dwelling or when a dwelling is destroyed by fire, collapse, explosion, act of God, or acts of a public enemy to the extent that it is no longer safe for human occupancy, as determined by the Building Inspector, a temporary dwelling permit may be issued by the Zoning Administrator or Township Supervisor to allow a mobile home less than twenty (20) feet in width to be placed on the property upon the request of the owner. Said permit shall be in effect for no more than one (1) year, any extension must be approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals based upon a showing of good cause as to why an extension should be granted, who may grant the same for a period of not more than one (1) year during which time a permanent dwelling shall be erected on the property.

 

2.         Medical Reasons: A person(s) may make application to occupy a mobile home as an accessory use to the principal dwelling if a medical condition exists such that the intended occupant requires continued supervision. A licensed physician, stating the nature of the disorder and specifying the level, shall attest to such medical condition and type of continued care needed by the patient. A temporary dwelling permit shall be granted if adequate evidence of the need for supervision exists. Such permit issued to the party with the medical condition is for the applicant's use only and is not transferable to any other owner or occupant. The permit shall expire in one (1) year, and an extension of one (1) year may be issued upon review and a finding that the original conditions exist.  All temporary dwellings shall be located within two hundred (200) feet of the dwelling occupied by the person providing the continued supervision and no closer than thirty (30) feet to an abutting lot line.

 

3.         Conditions: A temporary dwelling permit shall be granted provided the following conditions are met:

 

a.         Evidence that the proposed location of the temporary dwelling will not be detrimental to property within three hundred (300) feet.

 

b.         Proposed water supply and sanitary facilities have been approved by the Livingston County Health Department.

 

c.         Proposed temporary dwelling unit meets the requirements of the Building Code in effect in Livingston County.

 

d.         All applicable dimensional requirements within said district shall apply to temporary dwellings.

 

J.          Performance Guarantee: A performance guarantee shall be required in the form of cash or check and shall be deposited with the Township Clerk in an amount equal to the estimated cost of removing any temporary building and any associated legal fees. The Township Board shall set the amount of the performance guarantee. The applicant shall similarly sign an affidavit holding the Township harmless against any claim for damages if the Township were to subsequently use the performance guarantee to remove the temporary structure after its authorized period had expired and the applicant had failed to remove the temporary structure according to the terms established by the Township and/or had failed to remove the temporary structure upon notice by the Township to remove the structure. The performance guarantee shall be returned when all the terms and conditions of the temporary land use permit have been met and the temporary use or building has been removed.

 

K.         Application: A temporary land use permit may be approved, modified, conditioned, or denied by the Zoning Administrator. The Zoning Administrator may refer the application to the Planning Commission for a recommendation before issuance of the permit.

 

L.         Permits: A written temporary land use permit will be issued for all temporary uses and buildings if the use and/or building meets the terms and conditions hereof and shall contain the following information:

 

1.         The applicant's name.

 

2.         The location and effective dates of the temporary use or building.

 

3.         Conditions specified by which the permit was issued, such as:

 

a.         use and placement of signs.

b.         provision for security and safety measures.

c.         control of nuisance factors.

d.         submission of performance guarantee.

 

4.         Signature of the Zoning Administrator on the permit.

 

M.        Conditions of Approval:

 

1.         The nature and intensity of the temporary use and the size and placement of any temporary building shall be planned so that the temporary use or building will be compatible with existing development.

 

2.         The parcel shall be of sufficient size to adequately accommodate the temporary use or building.

 

3.         The location of the temporary use or building shall be such that adverse effects on surrounding properties will be minimal, particularly regarding the traffic generated by the temporary use or building.

 

4.         Off-street parking areas are of adequate size for the particular temporary use or building and properly located and the entrance and exit drives are laid out so as to prevent traffic hazards and nuisances.

 

5.         Signs shall conform to the provisions of this Ordinance. (See Article XV, Section 15.02.)

 

6.         Any lighting shall be directed and controlled so as to not create a nuisance to neighboring property owners.

 

7.         The Zoning Administrator may impose conditions with the issuance of the permit which is designed to insure compliance with the requirements of this Ordinance. The Zoning Administrator may revoke a permit at any time for nonconformance with the requirements of this Section, any conditions imposed by the Zoning Administrator or the permit issued thereunder.

 

8.         Permits which are renewable shall have an application filed for renewal at least fifteen (15) days prior to the expiration date of the current permit, except that applications for renewal or extension of a permit for less than fifteen (15) days may be applied for no later than three (3) days prior to the expiration date of the current permit.

 

N.         Revocation: Upon expiration or revocation of a temporary land use permit, the temporary use shall cease and all temporary buildings shall be removed from the parcel of land. A temporary land use permit may be revoked or modified by the Zoning Administrator upon a finding of any one of the following:

 

1.         That circumstances have changed.

 

2.         That the temporary land use permit was obtained by misrepresentation or fraud.

 

3.         That one (1) or more of the conditions of the temporary land use permit have not been met; or,

 

4.         That the use is in violation of any statute, Ordinance, law, or regulation.

 

O.         Appeal: An appeal of a decision by the Zoning Administrator relative to denial of a temporary land use permit for a temporary use or renewal thereof may be taken to the Zoning Board of Appeals pursuant to Section 5.05 of this Ordinance.

 

Section 6.07                 Accessory Uses and Structures

 

Accessory buildings, structures and uses are permitted only in connection with and on the same lot with a principal building, structure or use, provided such buildings, structures and uses are incidental to the principal building or use and does not include any activity conducted as a living quarters, except for farms or other uses otherwise permitted in this Ordinance that may be permitted on a separate lot in conjunction with the permitted activity, and shall be subject to the following regulations:

 

1. 

Zoning Districts