Planning & Zoning Permits, Applications, & Forms

A Zoning Permit Application is required for:

• Fences 3.5 - 6 feet tall
  • Please include the following with your fence application:
    • Height of fence
    • Fence material and type of fence
    • Detailed sketch of fence (to scale)
    • If fence will be installed on a property line, include a certified property survey OR written, notarized consent form from adjacent neighbors.

• Sheds 100 - 200 square feet
  
  • Homeowners are allowed to have one (1) shed under 100 square feet without a zoning permit. The shed must meet accessory structure requirements and conditions.
  • In addition to providing the items listed for your zoning permit, please include the following with your shed application (100 to 200 square feet):
    • Dimensions of shed
    • Square footage of shed
    • Distances between shed and all buildings on the parcel
    • Distances from each wall of the shed to the nearest property line
    • Materials to be stored in shed
• Exterior concrete/asphalt & Driveways
• • Please contact the Washtenaw County Road Commission (most roads in Ypsilanti Township), Michigan Department of Transportation (Ecorse Road, East Michigan Avenue, I-94, Washtenaw Avenue, and West Michigan south of I-94), or Wayne County Road Commission (sections of Rawsonville Road) regarding driveway approaches for separate permit. To determine which jurisdiction the road is, please visit the Washtenaw County Road Commission Map.
  • Please include the following with your driveway/exterior surface application:
    • The material of the proposed surface
• Change of use of space
  An example of this would be changing a residence into an office, daycare, or assembly use. In this example there are some obvious differences in the possible dangers or liabilities that might take place that would be different from a residential use. Zoning would have to permit for the change in use. A new Certificate of Occupancy is required for any change of use. Inspectors of all trades must conduct inspections in compliance with current code for the new intended use before Certificate of Occupancy could be issued.

Please include the following with all zoning permits:

• The application is filled out in its entirety and includes the signature of the applicant and, if different than the applicant, the property owner.
• If work will be completed by the homeowner, a Homeowner Affidavit form is required along with the permit application. It is recommended that if a homeowner has a contractor doing the work, the contractor pulls the permit. This is a safeguard for the homeowner.
• Fees: Fee Schedule
• Plot plan or lot survey:
  

  The plot plan may be hand drawn, but must be to scale (i.e. one (1) inch equals twenty (20) feet). Certified property survey or mortgage survey are acceptable. The plot plan must include the following items:

  • All property lines and dimensions
  • Existing structures/fences/driveways and dimensions
  • Proposed structures/fences/driveways and dimensions
  • Easements and dimensions, if applicable

Other Permits, Applications, & Forms:

Site Plan & Development Documents & Forms

Class A Nonconforming Application

Collection Box Permit Application

Group Daycare Special Land Use/Use Subject to Special Conditions Application

Junk Yard Permit Application

Private Road Application

Rezoning, Conditional Rezoning, Ordinance Text Amendments, Master Plan Future Land Use Amendments Application

Smoking Lounge License Application

Special Land Use/Use Subject to Special Conditions Application

Zoning Verification Letter Application

Ordinance Permits, Applications, & Forms

Multi-Family Rental

Multi-family rental properties are required to be registered and certified.

Multi-Family Rental Property Registration Form

Rental Housing Certification

There are several requirements that affect owners, landlords, and agents of single family homes, duplex homes, and multiple family units that are rented or available for rent in Ypsilanti Township.

Registration, Inspection, & Certification Required

Single family homes, duplex homes, and multiple family units that are rented or available for rent must be registered, inspected, and certified by the Office of Community Standards. No home or unit may be leased unless it has been registered and certified as being code compliant. A tenant may request a copy of the Certificate of Compliance for a home or unit they rent.

This form is completed by a landlord and/or a rental agent when a property is registered as a rental unit. Registration is valid for the life of property ownership.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If a landlord chooses to designate an agent to manage a property, the Township will send ALL official correspondence to the agent. This includes scheduling letters, inspection results and invoices. As the property owner, landlords are ultimately responsible for code compliance and for the performance of their agent. Caution is advised if a landlord designates the tenant to act as their agent due to the potential conflict such an arrangement may create when important information is not conveyed in a timely manner.

Rental Inspection Program Guidelines & Registration Form

Rental Inspection Fee Schedule

Certificate of Compliance

Upon successful completion of your inspection and payment of all fees, you will receive a Certificate of Compliance. The law requires that you notify the Township if the property is sold and to whom the property is transferred. The Certificate of Compliance will be closed at that time and your obligation under the law is over.

Single family homes, duplex homes, and multiple family units are certified once every two (2) years. The Certificate of Compliance may be suspended or revoked during the two (2) year period if serious code violations are discovered as a result of complaint investigation or police intervention.

Rental Exemption Affidavit Form
An exemption from the Rental Certification Program may be granted for property owners who permit a third party non-owner to live in their house for free. This usually involves helping children get started. The owner must not receive any form of compensation in exchange for use of the home. The affidavit must be notarized and is considered to be a legally binding representation of fact. Submitting a fraudulent affidavit may subject an owner to prosecution and penalty fees.

Property Maintenance Request & Inspection Consent Form
A tenant experiencing problems getting the landlord to correct code violations can submit this form as a request to inspect the property. You must provide proof of residency at the location (driver's license, voter registration or utility bills) and proof that you submitted your grievances in writing to your landlord and received no satisfactory response. There is no fee for this type of inspection, however if code violations are discovered the landlord will pay a re-inspection fee to confirm that repairs were made.

Vacant Building Certification

Single family homes, duplex homes, and multiple family units that are unoccupied for more than thirty (30) days must be registered, inspected, and certified.

Vacant Property Registration & Certification Application

Vacant Residential Property Fee Schedule

Certificate of Compliance

Upon successful completion of your inspection and payment of all fees, you will receive a Certificate of Compliance. The law requires that you notify the Township if the property is sold or re-occupied, and to whom the property is transferred. The Certificate of Compliance will be closed at that time and your obligation under the law is over.

The Certificate of Compliance is valid for one (1) year, at which time you must apply for a new certificate for as long as the house remains vacant.