The mission of Wexford County government is to be an effective and efficient organization; to deliver quality services to our community working with sound fiscal policy; and to Improve the quality of life for all our citizens.

Located in Northern Lower Michigan, Wexford County boasts a population of approximately 35,000, with a combination of an industrial/recreational demographic base.  Here you will find information about county departments, contact information for departments and commissioners, and more!

BUILDING AND ZONING OFFICIALS:

 

Robert Scarbrough Building Official/SESC Officer (231) 779-9465	Michael Green Zoning Administrator (231) 779-9501
Bruce Finnerty Plumbing/Mechanical Inspector (231) 779-9465	Roger Pritchard Electrical Inspector (231) 779-9465
Shari Bednarick Administrative Assistant (231) 779-9465

OUR SERVICES AT A GLANCE:

• Issue Building, Plumbing, Mechanical, and Electrical Permits
• Conduct inspections for compliance with the 2006 Michigan Plumbing, Building, Electrical and Mechanical Codes
• Administer and enforce the Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control program for Wexford County, pursuant to Part 91 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451, as amended.
• Issue zoning permits
• Investigate zoning violations and citizen complaints
• Accept and process applications for the Zoning Board of Appeals
• Accept and process special land use permits, re-zone requests, and zoning amendments for the Planning Commission
• Update the County’s Master Plan and Recreation Plan

OUR COVERAGE AREA:

• The Wexford County Building Department issues construction code permits (building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permits) for all areas of Wexford County except for the following:
  • Cedar Creek Township:  Issues their own building permits.
  • City of Manton:  Issues all their own permits.
  • City of Cadillac:  Issues their own building and electrical permits.
• The Wexford County Zoning Department issues zoning permits for all unincorpated areas of the county (areas outside the boundaries of cities or villages) except for Haring and Cedar Creek Townships.

BUILDING AND ZONING PERMIT APPLICATIONS:

• Building Permit Application
  • Building Information Packet - An informational packet to help answer questions about how to obtain building permits in Wexford County.
  • Residential Pole Barn Specifications
  • Deck Specifications
  • Homeowners Affidavit - Required for a homeowner who intends to act as the general contractor for the purposes of building a single-family residence, even if a licensed builder is significantly involved with the construction.
• Mobile Home Permit Application
• Zoning Permit - For any permitted use or any use that has been approved by the Planning Commission or Zoning Board of Appeals.
• New Address Application - For new residential, commercial, or other construction needing a physical address.

• Plumbing Permit

• Mechanical Permit

• Electrical Permit

• 2003 Michigan Uniform Energy Code Forms

  • 2003 Michigan Uniform Energy Code Requirements (from State of Michigan website)

  • 2003 Michigan Uniform Energy Code FAQ Sheet (from State of Michigan website)

  • REScheck compliance worksheet (from US Department of Energy website)

• Soil Erosion/Sedimentation Control Permit Application - For earth change activity within 500 feet from a creek, lake, river, stream, or county drain or for earth changes that exceed one (1) acre.
  • SESC Frequently Asked Questions (from MDEQ website)

ADDITIONAL PLANNING AND ZONING INFORMATION:

• Special Use Permit Application (For uses specified as "Special Uses" in the Wexford County Zoning Ordinance
• Planning Commission Site Plan Review Application (For most non-residential uses specified as "Permitted Uses" in the Zoning Ordinance)
• Zoning Board of Appeals Application (For non-use variances, appeals, and ordinance interpretations)
• Citizen Complaint Forms (to report violations of the Wexford County Zoning Ordinance)

CODES AND ORDINANCES:

• 2004 Wexford County Master Plan and Map
• Wexford County Zoning Ordinance #5 (currently in effect)
  • Section 3.19 Sign Regulations
  • Article 1 Purpose
  • Article 2 Definitions
  • Article 3 General Regulations
  • Article 3a Wireless Tower Regulations
  • Article 4 Zoning District Regulations
  • Article 5 Lake Mitchell Overlay District
  • Article 6 Planned Unit Developments
  • Article 7 Administration
  • Article 8 Zoning Board of Appeals
  • Article 9 Planning Commission
  • Article 10 Special Use Permits
  • Article 11 Site Plan Review
  • Article 12 Zoning Amendments
  • Article 13 Clam Lake Overlay District
• Proposed Draft Wexford County Zoning Ordinance #6 (updated 11/10/2009).  Township Zoning Maps are available below.  (Please note:  This Ordinance is a draft only, and is not been adopted.  The current Ordinance is Wexford County Zoning Ordinance #5, available above)
  • Antioch Twp.
  • Boon Twp.
  • Cherry Grove Twp.
  • Clam Lake Twp.
  • Colfax Twp.
  • Greenwood Twp.
  • Hanover Twp.
  • Henderson Twp.
  • Liberty Twp.
  • Selma Twp.
  • Slagle Twp.
  • South Branch Twp.
  • Springville Twp.
  • Wexford Twp.
• Wexford County Online Zoning Map
• Adopted 2008 Wexford County Recreation Plan
• ORV Ordinance 41
• PC101 Planning Commission Ordinance

LINKS TO OTHER SITES:

• City of Cadillac Building Department
• City of Cadillac Zoning
• Cedar Creek Township Building and Zoning
• Haring Charter Township Zoning
• City of Manton
• Wexford County Mapping Website (To look up County Zoning, click the "Wexford County Zoning" link on this page)
• State of Michigan Department of Construction Codes
• Michigan Association of Planning
• Wexford County Road Commission
• Michigan Department of Transportation
• District #10 Health Department (Wexford County office)

• Cadillac (1)