Zoning & Frequently Asked Questions
Dean Martin
Zoning Concern Form
To provide improved customer service and adequate follow-up information, all complainants must give a name and contact information. In addition, zoning concerns must have a clear ordinance violation. They cannot be frivolous, a private property dispute, or used to antagonize. The Village will respond to concerns of ordinance violations with site inspections and property owner contact. Violations of the zoning ordinance will result in letters notifying the owner of violation. Failure to remedy the violation may result in civil municipal infractions and fines.
Purpose of Zoning
The Village of Mackinaw City has adopted a Zoning Ordinance for the following purposes:
To protect and promote the Village's public health, safety, and general welfare.
To control and guide the orderly growth and development of the Village in accordance with its Comprehensive Planning Program and to implement the growth and development goals and policies contained therein.
To encourage a wide range of housing opportunities in an orderly manner in the Village, from single-family to multiple-family and congregate housing for older adults.
To ensure that the residential housing environment of the Village is safe, healthful, and free of visual blight.
To preserve the character and value of some historical regions and structures.
To preserve and enhance the appearance and viability of the Central Business District.
To ensure the orderly development and operation of industrial uses.
To guard against community impacts that can adversely affect those positive qualities that make up the distinctive character of the Village and which can adversely affect its social and economic climate.
To promote and protect the value of land and buildings appropriate to the various districts established by this Ordinance.
To prevent conflicts among the use of land and buildings.
Zoning Ordinance
The Village of Mackinaw City's Zoning Ordinance serves as a collection of municipal property laws. The Zoning Ordinance regulates development standards, permitted uses, and the processes for which the Village reviews and approves site plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Any project that involves construction, alteration, significant repair, moving, or removal of any building needs a permit. “Building,” in this instance, means any useful, constructed object.
Common projects that need permits include driveway paving or reconstruction, sheds of any size, decks, storefront façade improvements, house construction, demolition, and commercial building construction. Likewise, commercial projects that impact usage will need zoning permits and site plans. These may include expanding an existing use (offering more restaurant seating, adding more hotel rooms, expanding customer service area, etc.), and adding or changing a use.
If somebody is violating the ordinance and the Village has not stopped the activity, it is likely that our enforcement officers do not know a violation exists! Much like how those that speed may not always get caught, there is a good chance that our officers have not seen the violation.
If you are aware and bothered by a zoning or general ordinance violation, please complete the above ordinance concern forms. The Village’s officers are dedicated to seeing ordinance violations resolved and remedied. If you see an ordinance violation occurring, taking pictures and documenting may help enforcement proceedings. The Village recommends talking with your neighbors about ordinance issues that may bother you prior to contacting an officer. However, if there is any instance where you may feel unsafe, please contact the Village for enforcement.
Private property disputes may not be resolved by the Village. The Village cannot remedy situations in which there is a dispute over ownership, property lines, or activities that are not prohibited by the ordinance.
Short Term Rentals (rents of 30 days or less) may be permitted or prohibited depending on your Zoning District. Properties within the R1 Single-Family Residential, R2 Low Density Residential, and R3 Residential districts are prohibited from Short Term Renting. If caught short-term renting, warning letters, municipal civil infractions tickets, and fines may be sent to the property for each night of occurrence.
Short Term Rentals are permitted in the following districts: AG Agricultural, CR Conservation & Recreation, B1 Business, B2 Waterfront Business, B3 Gateway Business, B4 Historic Business, and BC Business Central Districts. If you have any questions on your property’s zoning district, please consult the Zoning Map or contact the Village.
The Zoning Ordinance does not have an explicit allowance for employee housing. Houses may hold employees equal to the number of families permitted in the district. Individual employees count as individual families when their housing is conditioned on work/labor performed, or if housed for a limited, pre-determined duration. Ergo, if the house is purchased in a district that allows up to two families, only two employees may occupy the residence. Some residential districts allow up to four families, however, supplemental regulations must be met before converting to a four-family residence (parking, window coverage, etc.).
To understand what districts permit the scale housing of employees, look for districts that allow Multiple Family Dwelling Units, Townhouses, or Condominiums. Likewise, Planned Unit Developments can be utilized in multiple districts to offer flexibility in creating lodging or multi-family structures.
The Village of Mackinaw City implores potential purchasers to adequately research properties before purchasing. The Village has a fiduciary responsibility to enforce density and use standards set by its policy makers.
Sheds of all sizes require an approved zoning permit application. A plot plan detailing your property, setbacks, and existing structures must accompany the application. For information regarding the permitted height, square footage, and number of sheds, please consult the district regulations in the Zoning Ordinance.
The Village of Mackinaw City has adopted a sign ordinance. Regulations on signage prevent displays that are a hazard, detract from the visual and scenic beauty of the community, lessen property values, and are of low-quality materials or construction. Likewise, signs are regulated to reduce competition for the attention of pedestrian and vehicular traffic that may lead to dangerous situations.
The sign ordinance can be found to the left of this page and by clicking here.
If your business is new construction or requires significant alterations of an existing structure or lot, you will need to have a site plan approved by the Village Council.
If your business is not altering the structure but changes the use or business type from a business that was previously there (such as a new hair salon going in where a fudge shop was previously), you will need a zoning permit confirming the proposed use is compliant with the district. A site plan may still be required if the use requires changes to the lot, such as additional parking.
All businesses must apply for a 6-month Vendor / Peddler License before opening.
Food trucks are permitted in Mackinaw City, though they must undergo various planning and zoning steps to ensure the placement is harmonious with the community. Food trucks may only be permitted on private property. Food trucks are categorized under the principal use of Food and Beverage Stores. As such, they are only permitted in BC and B1 Zoning Districts. Properties permitting food trucks must have a special use permit and an approved site plan on file to host food trucks. Adequate parking, landscaping, and green space must accompany plans to host food trucks.
Food truck vendors must have an active Vendor/Peddler license in the Village.
Food trucks may be permitted temporarily through Special Events approved by the Council. The special event application must detail where the food truck will go. Food trucks must have an active Vendor/Peddler license at the time of the event.
To be a vendor at a special event, the special event must have approval by Village Council, and you must have approval from the special event applicants. Vendors at special event must have a Vendor/Peddler License, though the special event may apply for a joint license if they submit a complete list of names and businesses that are attending the event.