Section R. 281.134 - Lot size and area; subdivision of land; home occupations; natural vegetation strip; signs; docks; height of structuresRule 4.
(1) Unless otherwise provided for within these rules, any lot or parcel of property created after the effective date of these rules, or amendments thereto, shall have a minimum area of 50,000 square feet and a minimum average width of 200 feet throughout the length of the lot or parcel. The average lot width shall be based on the average of the combined widths of the front and rear lot lines.(2) A lot that exists on the effective date of this rule, or amendment thereto, shall not be subdivided or reduced in dimension or area below the minimum requirements of these rules. Lots that are created after the effective date of this rule shall meet the minimum requirements of these rules, except as provided in subrules (3) and (4) of this rule.(3) Proposed lots which have preliminary plat approval pursuant to the provisions of Act No. 288 of the Public Acts of 1967, as amended, being S560.101 et seq. of the Michigan Compiled Laws, but which do not meet the dimensional requirements of these rules on their effective date, shall, on final plat approval, be issued a permit subject to the requirements provided in R 281.139.(4) Lots of record which are created before the effective date of these rules, or amendments thereto, and which do not possess sufficient land area or lot width may be used for the purposes described within these rules, subject to the requirements provided for in R 281.139.(5) Home occupations shall conform to both of the following requirements: (a) The use of the dwelling unit, or related structure, for the home occupation shall be clearly incidental and subordinate to its use for residential purposes. The home occupation shall not occupy more than 30% of the aboveground floor area of the dwelling unit. This requirement shall apply whether the home occupation is contained wholly within the dwelling unit or utilizes a garage.(b) Equipment or a process shall not be used in a home occupation that is conducted in a single-family dwelling unit or its associated garage if it creates noise, vibration, glare, fumes, odors, or electrical interference that is detectable to the normal senses off the premises and shall not be used in a home occupation that is conducted in other than a single-family dwelling unit or an associated garage if it creates noise, vibration, glare, fumes, odors, or electrical interference that is detectable to the normal senses outside the dwelling unit.(6) Within the natural river district, not less than a 50-foot restrictive cutting belt shall be maintained on each side of the main stream of the Betsie river and its designated tributaries. Trees and shrubs may be pruned for a filtered view of the river, but clear cutting in the natural vegetation strip is prohibited. The natural vegetation strip is also subject to all of the following provisions: (a) Dead, diseased, unsafe, or fallen trees and noxious plants and shrubs, including poison ivy and poison sumac, may be removed.(b) The selected removal or trimming of trees for timber harvest, access or woodlot improvements, landscaping, or public utility lines to service private single-family dwellings and other permitted uses is permitted upon approval of the zoning administrator.(c) Camping is not permitted in the natural vegetation strip.(7) Signs shall not be visible from the river, except:(a) "No Trespassing" signs if the signs are not more than 1 square foot in area and are spaced a minimum of 100 feet apart.(b) One identification sign of rustic design, associated with a canoe livery, campground or rental cabins, which is not more than 6 square feet in area. The sign shall be for the purpose of identification of a designated watercraft landing site and shall be located at the designated landing site.(c) Signs posted by public agencies to provide for public safety such as warning of impending dangers in the river, or to identify a public access site or campground. Such signs may need to be larger than 6 square feet in area to accomplish their designated purpose. Signs which identify a public access site or campground shall be of rustic design.(8) Private boat docks shall be in compliance with all of the following requirements: (a) Docks shall not be more than 4 feet in width and not more than 20 feet in length, with not more than 4 feet of the dock extending over the edge of the river.(b) Docks shall be designed, constructed, and maintained to blend with the natural surroundings. The use of natural, native materials is encouraged.(c) Unless provided for within these rules, only 1 dock shall be constructed per lot.(9) Unless otherwise provided for within these rules, a structure shall not be more than 2 1/2 stories in height, not including a basement.Mich. Admin. Code R. 281.134