For your convenience, Snow Country Real Estate and Snow Country Contracting, Inc., are providing excerpts from the zoning ordinance book that cover answers to most commonly asked questions.  However, we encourage any new buyer, whether you are buying an existing property, or planning to build new, to make sure your property will be in compliance and avoid any problems by reviewing all zoning ordinances.  This information is also subject to change, be sure you have the most up to date information by contacting the township.

Purchase a complete set of zoning ordinances from Marenisco Township for $5.00.  Call 906-787-2463 or write Marenisco Township PO Box 156, Marenisco, MI 49947.

There are several zoning districts, which a parcel of land may fall under:

“AG”  Agricultural District
“R-1” Residence District
“R-2” Residence District
“R-3” Residence District
“R-4” Residence District
“C-1” Commercial District
“C-2” Commercial District
“I-1”  Industrial District
“I-2”  Industrial District
“I-3”  Industrial District

There is a special LAKE ZONING DISTRICT (also applies to LAKE GOGEBIC) this district is designed to preserve and protect the unique and valuable private recreational Lake Property to protect the environment and to prevent overburdening of land surrounding a body of water, while also permitting environmentally positive planned orderly development within strictly controlled guidelines.

LAND USE DESIGNATIONS

All property within the Lake Zoning District shall have land-use designations as set for below.  Only the following enumerated uses will be permitted within the Lake Zoning District.  The Lake Zoning District allows four distinct sub districts for the use of the land.

SUB DISTRICTS are as follows (these apply to Lake Gogebic Area):

“LFR”  Lake frontage residential
“LR”   Lake residential
“LFL”  Lake frontage Lodging
“LL”    Lake lodging

PERMITTED USES

LFR and LR           Private single-family dwelling, accessory buildings.
LFL and LL            All used permitted in LFR and LR and Lodging, multiroom.
LFR and LFL          Boat houses and piers

SPECIAL EXCEPTION – USES

LFR and LR   Home occupations

LFL              All uses permitted in LFR and LR and bar, restaurant, boat rental, fuel dispensing, bait dispensing and marina

LL                All uses permitted in LFL and laundry, convenience store, game reserve, storage buildings, dry marina.

The zoning board is authorized to approve the establishment of certain uses designated as Special Exception Uses within the various zoning classifications.  Applications are required for a special exception use permit.  Zoning board will also contact any other property owners within 300 feet of the boundary of the property proposed for consideration.  The board will schedule a hearing with the owner and either grant or deny a permit. 

SITE PLAN REVIEWS require an application process and the procedure can be lengthy and time consuming, plan accordingly.  If you choose Snow Country as your builder or broker, we will assist you through this process.

NON-CONFORMING USE

Lawful non-conforming uses or structures in existence at the time of this ordinance may be continued but shall not be extended, added to or altered unless such extension, alterations or additions are in conformity with the provisions of this ordinance. 

LOSS OF USE IF 50% DESTROYED

If the cost of repair or replacement of a non-conforming use or structure which has been destroyed by reason of windstorm, fire, explosion or any act of God or the public enemy exceeds 50% of the total replacement cost of the use or structure, such use or structure shall not be continued or rebuilt except in conformity with the provisions of this ordinance.

WATERS EDGE SETBACK

As provided for in Ordinance 15.1 adopted by the Marenisco Township Board on August 13, 2001:  In the Lake Zoning District the minimum setback of any structure shall be 50 feet from the water’s edge (as measured from any point of the structure to the nearest water’s edge) and a minimum of ten feet setback from any side lot line.

BOATHOUSES

A boathouse may be five feet from the water’s edge.  In addition, any structure, except for a boathouse, may only be erected in an area on the property where the side lot line to side lot line width is at least 80% of the property’s total water’s edge frontage.  Mobile homes or travel trailers not permanently affixed to the real estate shall maintain the same setbacks as provided herein.  A boathouse shall have not less than 200 square feet in area or greater than 500 square feet.  Boathouses can be constructed to a height of no greater than 12 feet as measured from the waters edge line of the lake.  Flat roofs are permitted on boathouses to be used as recreational decks so long as they provide a 36” safety railing.  The safety railing may exceed the 12-foot height restriction.

STRUCTURE SETBACK

In the Lake Zoning District the minimum setback of any structure shall be 50 feet from the adjacent right of way.  Property owners shall maintain a buffer in this specified setback area.  Exceptions from the buffer requirements are access driveways and road frontage for convenience stores and municipal buildings.

FENCING SETBACK

All fences in residential zones shall be a minimum of 25 feet from any abutting road.  All fences shall have a minimum of 2 foot setback from the adjoining side lots provided the fences may be located on the property line with the written permission of the adjoining land owner.  The side of any fence facing a neighboring lot or fronting a roadway shall be fully finished stained or painted.  The minimum fence height for any fence shall be three (3) feet and the maximum height of eight (8) feet.  All fences shall be kept in neat and orderly appearance and repair.

HUNTING CAMP SETBACK 

No hunting camp shall be constructed within 500 feet of the right of way of a paved or improved gravel road.

AREA REQUIREMENTS

MINIMUM FLOOR AREA

All private dwelling units hereafter constructed containing not more than two bedrooms shall contain not less than 750 square feet of first-floor space as measured around the exterior of said dwelling.  All private dwelling units hereafter constructed containing more than two bedrooms shall contain an additional 150 square feet of habitable floor area for each bedroom in excess of two within said dwelling unit; provided, however, that a three bedroom, single level private dwelling unit shall not contain less than 900 square feet of first-floor space as measured around the exterior of said dwelling.

No dwelling less than 24 feet in width.  Minimum lot size of not less than 100 feet of waters edge frontage and a depth of not less than 400 feet per single family home or cottage.

A lot adjacent to any lake (off water lot that is newly created and not grand fathered in) within the Township, which is within the Lake Zoning District and classified as “LR” shall have a minimum lot size of not less than FIVE ACRES in the area for each single family dwelling.

New Lake Front Lodging (commercial lodging on waterfront) must have a minimum lot size of not less than 1500 feet of waters edge frontage and a depth of not less than 600 feet, except as specified for a B&B.

RECREATIONAL VEHICLES, TENTS AND TRAVEL TRAILERS

Recreational vehicles, tents, travel trailers and/or automobile trailers shall not be used for dwelling purposes within the township limits, provided, however, that travel trailers or automobile trailers may be used for temporary dwellings for a total period of not more than 21 days in any one year when located upon premises having running water and sewerage facilities, and provided further that recreational vehicles, automobile trailers may be occupied for dwelling purposes within duly licensed travel trailer camps and subject to the requirements thereupon imposed.

REV: 7/2003