During a Special Meeting on July 12, 2023, the Watersmeet Township Board of Trustees finalized and approved language modifying the Watersmeet Township Zoning Ordinance. Specifically, Section 7.05B has been modified to read as follows:
7.05B Use of Trailer Coach During Construction of Dwelling
A property owner in any District may be permitted to use one trailer coach upon premises which qualifies for construction of a dwelling and occupy the same for dwelling purposes during the actual construction of the dwelling. The trailer coach may be on the property between March 1 and October 31 each year, provided that a valid building permit has been issued and actual construction is occurring as certified yearly by the Building Inspector in conjunction with the Zoning Administrator. The trailer coach can be used for the purpose of a dwelling for a maximum of 5 consecutive building cycles from March 1 to October 31 commencing with the initial issuance of the building permit for a dwelling on the property. Failure to secure a renewal of the building permit for the current year or failure of the Owner to demonstrate good faith progress toward completion of construction prohibits the use of the trailer coach as a temporary dwelling or placement of it on the property. The Building Inspector will make the determination as to whether the trailer coach may be used as a temporary dwelling on a yearly basis.
Special Permission outside of normal building period from March 1 – October 31.
If actual construction will be taking place on the property between October 31 and March 1 and if a property owner wishes to use a trailer coach as a temporary dwelling during this time period, on or before October 15, the property owner shall send a written request with proposed work for the winter to the Zoning Administrator along with a special fee of $75.00 and the Zoning Administrator given authority to grant permission to do so. All such determinations shall be made on a case-by-case basis by the Zoning Administrator.
Issuance of required certificates shall be contingent upon compliance with the following conditions:
- Installation of water supply and sewage disposal facilities in conformity with requirements of Section 7.06, and approval of the same by the Western Upper Peninsula Health District shall precede occupancy of the trailer coach.
- In a space provided on a copy of the Certificate of Compliance retained for filing, the applicant shall affix his signature indicating he has full knowledge of the limitation of the Certificate, including penalties that may be imposed in violation of the terms thereof.
The entire ordinance can be viewed at the Watersmeet Township office, N4689 1st Street, Watersmeet, Michigan on weekdays from 9 am to 3 pm. The modifications to Section 7.05B will become effective 30 days from the date of this publication.
Questions or comments may be forwarded to Julie Mathiesen, Watersmeet Township Clerk, P.O. Box 306, Watersmeet, MI 49969.