Bay Township

Bay Township lies on the northeast shore of the main basin of Lake Charlevoix between Lake Charlevoix and Walloon Lake. Visit the Bay Township website to view the Township Zoning Ordinance.

Zoning Districts
 Indicates Zoning that Meets the Recommendation
District NameR1 - Residential (Waterfront Overlay)C - Commercial (Waterfront Overlay)A - Agricultural (Waterfront Overlay)
Compare With
Defined High Water Elevation/OHWM581.5' I.G.L.D581.5' I.G.L.D581.5' I.G.L.D.
Setback from OHWM 65' 65' 65'
Maximum Impervious Surface Lot Coverage10%-50%10%-50%10%-50%
Conditions for Issuance of Zoning Permits Yes Yes Yes
Formal Planning Commission Site Plan ReviewNoNoNo
Engineered Stormwater Control Systems Yes YesNo
Number and Use of Docks Yes Yes Yes
Keyhole or Funneling standardsNoNoNo
Shoreline Protection StructuresNoNoNo
Greenbelt/Vegetated Buffer Strips45'45'45'
Specific prohibition of lawn in greenbeltNoNoNo
Native vegetation requirement in greenbelt Yes Yes Yes
Prohibition of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers in greenbeltNoNoNo
Requirement of trees and woody plants in greenbelt Yes Yes Yes
Limited cutting or pruning of greenbelt vegetation Yes Yes Yes
Spacing requirements for new plantings in greenbeltNoNoNo
Viewing platforms in greenbelt Yes Yes Yes
Paths through greenbelt to water Yes Yes Yes
Maintenance of existing natural shoreline buffers Yes Yes Yes
Prohibition of beach sandingNoNoNo
Prohibition of alteration of area between water's edge and high water elevationNoNoNo