Michigan Real Estate Lawyers

Michigan Zoning Enabling Act

Act 110 of 2006

AN ACT to codify the laws regarding local units of government regulating the development and use of land; to provide for the adoption of zoning ordinances; to provide for the establishment in counties, townships, cities, and villages of zoning districts; to prescribe the powers and duties of certain officials; to provide for the assessment and collection of fees; to authorize the issuance of bonds and notes; to prescribe penalties and provide remedies; and to repeal acts and parts of acts.

History: 2006, Act 110, Eff. July 1, 2006.

The People of the State of Michigan enact:

125.3101 Short title.

ARTICLE I GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sec. 101. This act shall be known and may be cited as the “Michigan zoning enabling act”.

History: 2006, Act 110, Eff. July 1, 2006.

125.3102 Definitions.

Sec. 102. As used in this act:

“Agricultural land” means substantially undeveloped land devoted to the production of plants and animals useful to humans, including, but not limited to, forage and sod crops, grains, feed crops, field crops, dairy products, poultry and poultry products, livestock, herbs, flowers, seeds, grasses, nursery stock, fruits, vegetables, Christmas trees, and other similar uses and activities.
“Airport” means an airport licensed by the Michigan department of transportation, bureau of aeronautics under section 86 of the aeronautics code of the state of Michigan, 1945 PA 327, MCL 259.86.
“Airport approach plan” and “airport layout plan” mean a plan, or an amendment to a plan, filed with the zoning commission under section 151 of the aeronautics code of the state of Michigan, 1945 PA 327, MCL 259.151.
“Airport manager” means that term as defined in section 2 of the aeronautics code of the state of Michigan, 1945 PA 327, MCL 259.2.
“Airport zoning regulations” means airport zoning regulations under the airport zoning act, 1950 (Ex Sess) PA 23, MCL 259.431 to 259.465, for an airport hazard area that lies in whole or part in the area affected by a zoning ordinance under this act.
“Conservation easement” means that term as defined in section 2140 of the natural resources and environmental protection act, 1994 PA 451, MCL 324.2140.
“Coordinating zoning committee” means a coordinating zoning committee as described under section 307.
“Development rights” means the rights to develop land to the maximum intensity of development authorized by law.
“Development rights ordinance” means an ordinance, which may comprise part of a zoning ordinance, adopted under section 507.
“Family child care home” and “group child care home” mean those terms as defined in section 1 of 1973 PA 116, MCL 722.111, and only apply to the bona fide private residence of the operator of the family or group child care home.
“Greenway” means a contiguous or linear open space, including habitats, wildlife corridors, and trails, that links parks, nature reserves, cultural features, or historic sites with each other, for recreation and conservation purposes.
“Improvements” means those features and actions associated with a project that are considered necessary by the body or official granting zoning approval to protect natural resources or the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of a local unit of government and future users or inhabitants of the proposed project or project area, including roadways, lighting, utilities, sidewalks, screening, and drainage. Improvements do not include the entire project that is the subject of zoning approval.
“Intensity of development” means the height, bulk, area, density, setback, use, and other similar characteristics of development.
“Legislative body” means the county board of commissioners of a county, the board of trustees of a township, or the council or other similar elected governing body of a city or village.
“Local unit of government” means a county, township, city, or village.
“Other eligible land” means land that has a common property line with agricultural land from which development rights have been purchased and is not divided from that agricultural land by a state or federal limited access highway.
“Person” means an individual, partnership, corporation, association, governmental entity, or other legal entity.
“Population” means the population according to the most recent federal decennial census or according to a special census conducted under section 7 of the Glenn Steil state revenue sharing act of 1971, 1971 PA 140, MCL 141.907, whichever is the more recent.
“Site plan” includes the documents and drawings required by the zoning ordinance to ensure that a proposed land use or activity is in compliance with local ordinances and state and federal statutes.
“State licensed residential facility” means a structure constructed for residential purposes that is licensed by the state under the adult foster care facility licensing act, 1979 PA 218, MCL 400.701 to 400.737, or 1973 PA 116, MCL 722.111 to 722.128, and provides residential services for 6 or fewer individuals under 24-hour supervision or care.
“Undeveloped state” means a natural state preserving natural resources, natural features, scenic or wooded conditions, agricultural use, open space, or a similar use or condition. Land in an undeveloped state does not include a golf course but may include a recreational trail, picnic area, children’s play area, greenway, or linear park. Land in an undeveloped state may be, but is not required to be, dedicated to the use of the public.
“Zoning commission” means a zoning commission as described under section 301.
“Zoning jurisdiction” means the area encompassed by the legal boundaries of a city or village or the area encompassed by the legal boundaries of a county or township outside the limits of incorporated cities and villages. The zoning jurisdiction of a county does not include the areas subject to a township zoning ordinance.

History: 2006, Act 110, Eff. July 1, 2006;Am. 2007, Act 219, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 2007;Am. 2008, Act 12, Imd. Eff. Feb. 29,

2008.

125.3103 Notice; publication; mail or personal delivery; requirements.

Sec. 103. (1) Except as otherwise provided under this act, if a local unit of government conducts a public hearing required under this act, the local unit of government shall publish notice of the hearing in a newspaper of general circulation in the local unit of government not less than 15 days before the date of the hearing.

Notice required under this act shall be given as provided under subsection (3) to the owners of property that is the subject of the request. Notice shall also be given as provided under subsection (3) to all persons to whom real property is assessed within 300 feet of the property that is the subject of the request and to the occupants of all structures within 300 feet of the subject property regardless of whether the property or structure is located in the zoning jurisdiction. Notification need not be given to more than 1 occupant of a structure, except that if a structure contains more than 1 dwelling unit or spatial area owned or leased by different persons, 1 occupant of each unit or spatial area shall be given notice. If a single structure contains more than 4 dwelling units or other distinct spatial areas owned or leased by different persons, notice may be given to the manager or owner of the structure, who shall be requested to post the notice at the primary entrance to the structure.
The notice under subsection (2) is considered to be given when personally delivered or when deposited during normal business hours for delivery with the United States postal service or other public or private delivery service. The notice shall be given not less than 15 days before the date the request will be considered. If the name of the occupant is not known, the term “occupant” may be used for the intended recipient of the notice.
A notice under this section shall do all of the following:
1. Describe the nature of the request.
2. Indicate the property that is the subject of the request. The notice shall include a listing of all existing street addresses within the property. Street addresses do not need to be created and listed if no such addresses currently exist within the property. If there are no street addresses, other means of identification may be used.
3. State when and where the request will be considered.
4. Indicate when and where written comments will be received concerning the request.

History: 2006, Act 110, Eff. July 1, 2006;Am. 2008, Act 12, Imd. Eff. Feb. 29, 2008.

ARTICLE II

ZONING AUTHORIZATION AND INITIATION

125.3201 Regulation of land development and establishment of districts; provisions; uniformity of regulations; designations; limitations.

Sec. 201. (1) A local unit of government may provide by zoning ordinance for the regulation of land development and the establishment of 1 or more districts within its zoning jurisdiction which regulate the use of land and structures to meet the needs of the state’s citizens for food, fiber, energy, and other natural resources, places of residence, recreation, industry, trade, service, and other uses of land, to ensure that use of the land is situated in appropriate locations and relationships, to limit the inappropriate overcrowding of land and congestion of population, transportation systems, and other public facilities, to facilitate adequate and efficient provision for transportation systems, sewage disposal, water, energy, education, recreation, and other public service and facility requirements, and to promote public health, safety, and welfare.

Except as otherwise provided under this act, the regulations shall be uniform for each class of land or buildings, dwellings, and structures within a district.
A local unit of government may provide under the zoning ordinance for the regulation of land development and the establishment of districts which apply only to land areas and activities involved in a special program to achieve specific land management objectives and avert or solve specific land use problems, including the regulation of land development and the establishment of districts in areas subject to damage from flooding or beach erosion.
A local unit of government may adopt land development regulations under the zoning ordinance designating or limiting the location, height, bulk, number of stories, uses, and size of dwellings, buildings, and structures that may be erected or altered, including tents and recreational vehicles.

History: 2006, Act 110, Eff. July 1, 2006.

125.3202 Zoning ordinance; determination by local legislative body; amendments or supplements; notice of proposed rezoning.

Sec. 202. (1) The legislative body of a local unit of government may provide by ordinance for the manner in which the regulations and boundaries of districts or zones shall be determined and enforced or amended or supplemented. Amendments or supplements to the zoning ordinance shall be adopted in the same manner as provided under this act for the adoption of the original ordinance.

Except as provided in subsection (3), the zoning commission shall give a notice of a proposed rezoning in the same manner as required under section 103.
For any group of adjacent properties numbering 11 or more that is proposed for rezoning, the requirements of section 103(2) and the requirement of section 103(4)(b) that street addresses be listed do not apply to that group of adjacent properties.
An amendment to a zoning ordinance by a city or village is subject to a protest petition under section 403.
An amendment to conform a provision of the zoning ordinance to the decree of a court of competent jurisdiction as to any specific lands may be adopted by the legislative body and the notice of the adopted amendment published without referring the amendment to any other board or agency provided for under this act.

History: 2006, Act 110, Eff. July 1, 2006;Am. 2008, Act 12, Imd. Eff. Feb. 29, 2008.

125.3203 Zoning ordinance; plan; incorporation of airport layout plan or airport approach plan; zoning ordinance adopted before or after March 28, 2001; applicability of public transportation facilities.

Sec. 203. (1) A zoning ordinance shall be based upon a plan designed to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare, to encourage the use of lands in accordance with their character and adaptability, to limit the improper use of land, to conserve natural resources and energy, to meet the needs of the state’s residents for food, fiber, and other natural resources, places of residence, recreation, industry, trade, service, and other uses of land, to ensure that uses of the land shall be situated in appropriate locations and relationships, to avoid the overcrowding of population, to provide adequate light and air, to lessen congestion on the public roads and streets, to reduce hazards to life and property, to facilitate adequate provision for a system of transportation including, subject to subsection (5), public transportation, sewage disposal, safe and adequate water supply, education, recreation, and other public requirements, and to conserve the expenditure of funds for public improvements and services to conform with the most advantageous uses of land, resources, and properties. A zoning ordinance shall be made with reasonable consideration of the character of each district, its peculiar suitability for particular uses, the conservation of property values and natural resources, and the general and appropriate trend and character of land, building, and population development.

If a local unit of government adopts or revises a plan required under subsection (1) after an airport layout plan or airport approach plan has been filed with the local unit of government, the local unit of government shall incorporate the airport layout plan or airport approach plan into the plan adopted under subsection (1).
In addition to the requirements of subsection (1), a zoning ordinance adopted after March 28, 2001 shall be adopted after reasonable consideration of both of the following:

The environs of any airport within a district.
Comments received at or before a public hearing under section 306 from the airport manager of any airport.

If a zoning ordinance was adopted before March 28, 2001, the zoning ordinance is not required to be consistent with any airport zoning regulations, airport layout plan, or airport approach plan. A zoning ordinance amendment adopted or variance granted after March 28, 2001 shall not increase any inconsistency that may exist between the zoning ordinance or structures or uses and any airport zoning regulations, airport layout plan, or airport approach plan. This section does not limit the right to petition for submission of a zoning ordinance amendment to the electors under section 402 or the right to file a protest petition under section 403.
The reference to public transportation facilities in subsection (1) only applies to a plan that is adopted or substantively amended more than 90 days after the effective date of the amendatory act that added this subsection.

History: 2006, Act 110, Eff. July 1, 2006;Am. 2010, Act 305, Imd. Eff. Dec. 17, 2010.

125.3204 Single-family residence; instruction in craft or fine art as home occupation.

Sec. 204. A zoning ordinance adopted under this act shall provide for the use of a single-family residence by an occupant of that residence for a home occupation to give instruction in a craft or fine art within the residence. This section does not prohibit the regulation of noise, advertising, traffic, hours of operation, or other conditions that may accompany the use of a residence under this section.

History: 2006, Act 110, Eff. July 1, 2006.

125.3205 Zoning ordinance subject to certain acts; regulation or control of oil or gas wells; prohibition; extraction of valuable natural resource; challenge to zoning decision; serious consequences resulting from extraction; factors; regulations not limited.

Sec. 205. (1) A zoning ordinance is subject to all of the following:

The electric transmission line certification act, 1995 PA 30, MCL 460.561 to 460.575.
The regional transit authority act.

1. A county or township shall not regulate or control the drilling, completion, or operation of oil or gas wells or other wells drilled for oil or gas exploration purposes and shall not have jurisdiction with reference to the issuance of permits for the location, drilling, completion, operation, or abandonment of such wells.
2. An ordinance shall not prevent the extraction, by mining, of valuable natural resources from any property unless very serious consequences would result from the extraction of those natural resources. Natural resources shall be considered valuable for the purposes of this section if a person, by extracting the natural resources, can receive revenue and reasonably expect to operate at a profit.
3. A person challenging a zoning decision under subsection (3) has the initial burden of showing that there are valuable natural resources located on the relevant property, that there is a need for the natural resources by the person or in the market served by the person, and that no very serious consequences would result from the extraction, by mining, of the natural resources.
4. In determining under this section whether very serious consequences would result from the extraction, by mining, of natural resources, the standards set forth in Silva v Ada Township, 416 Mich 153 (1982), shall be applied and all of the following factors may be considered, if applicable:
  1. The relationship of extraction and associated activities with existing land uses.
  2. The impact on existing land uses in the vicinity of the property.
  3. The impact on property values in the vicinity of the property and along the proposed hauling route serving the property, based on credible evidence.
  4. The impact on pedestrian and traffic safety in the vicinity of the property and along the proposed hauling route serving the property.
  5. The impact on other identifiable health, safety, and welfare interests in the local unit of government.
  6. The overall public interest in the extraction of the specific natural resources on the property.
5. Subsections (3) to (5) do not limit a local unit of government’s reasonable regulation of hours of operation, blasting hours, noise levels, dust control measures, and traffic, not preempted by part 632 of the

natural resources and environmental protection act, 1994 PA 451, MCL 324.63201 to 324.63223. However, such regulation shall be reasonable in accommodating customary mining operations.

This act does not limit state regulatory authority under other statutes or rules.

History: 2006, Act 110, Eff. July 1, 2006;Am. 2011, Act 113, Imd. Eff. July 20, 2011;Am. 2012, Act 389, Eff. Mar. 28, 2013.

125.3205a Amateur radio service station antenna structures.

Sec. 205a. (1) 47 CFR 97.15 provides that owners of certain amateur radio service station antenna structures more than 60.96 meters (200 feet) above ground level at the site or located near or at a public use airport must notify the federal aviation administration and register with the federal communications commission as required by 47 CFR part 17.

An amateur radio service station antenna structure may be erected at heights and dimensions sufficient to accommodate amateur radio service communications. Regulation of an amateur radio service station antenna structure by a local unit of government must not preclude amateur radio service communications. Rather, it must reasonably accommodate those communications and must constitute the minimum practicable regulation to accomplish the local unit of government’s legitimate purpose.
To obtain information about the regulation of amateur radio service station antenna structures, a person may contact any advisory board that is jointly established by the Michigan section of the American radio relay league and 1 or more state organizations representing local units of government.

History: Add. 2014, Act 556, Imd. Eff. Jan. 15, 2014.

125.3206 Residential use of property; adult foster care facilities; family or group child care homes.

Sec. 206. (1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (2), a state licensed residential facility shall be considered a residential use of property for the purposes of zoning and a permitted use in all residential zones and is not subject to a special use or conditional use permit or procedure different from those required for other dwellings of similar density in the same zone.

Subsection (1) does not apply to adult foster care facilities licensed by a state agency for care and treatment of persons released from or assigned to adult correctional institutions.
For a county or township, a family child care home is considered a residential use of property for the purposes of zoning and a permitted use in all residential zones and is not subject to a special use or conditional use permit or procedure different from those required for other dwellings of similar density in the same zone.
For a county or township, a group child care home shall be issued a special use permit, conditional use permit, or other similar permit if the group child care home meets all of the following standards:
1. Is located not closer than 1,500 feet to any of the following:

Another licensed group child care home.
An adult foster care small group home or large group home licensed under the adult foster care facility licensing act, 1979 PA 218, MCL 400.701 to 400.737.
A facility offering substance abuse treatment and rehabilitation service to 7 or more people licensed under article 6 of the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.6101 to 333.6523.
A community correction center, resident home, halfway house, or other similar facility which houses an inmate population under the jurisdiction of the department of corrections.

1. Has appropriate fencing for the safety of the children in the group child care home as determined by the local unit of government.
2. Maintains the property consistent with the visible characteristics of the neighborhood.
3. Does not exceed 16 hours of operation during a 24-hour period. The local unit of government may limit but not prohibit the operation of a group child care home between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
4. Meets regulations, if any, governing signs used by a group child care home to identify itself.
5. Meets regulations, if any, requiring a group child care home operator to provide off-street parking accommodations for his or her employees.

For a city or village, a group child care home may be issued a special use permit, conditional use permit, or other similar permit.
A licensed or registered family or group child care home that operated before March 30, 1989 is not required to comply with the requirements of this section.
The requirements of this section shall not prevent a local unit of government from inspecting and enforcing a family or group child care home for the home’s compliance with the local unit of government’s zoning ordinance. For a county or township, an ordinance shall not be more restrictive for a family or group child care home than as provided under 1973 PA 116, MCL 722.111 to 722.128.
The subsequent establishment of any of the facilities listed under subsection (4)(a) will not affect any subsequent special use permit renewal, conditional use permit renewal, or other similar permit renewal pertaining to the group child care home.
The requirements of this section shall not prevent a local unit of government from issuing a special use permit, conditional use permit, or other similar permit to a licensed or registered group child care home that does not meet the standards listed under subsection (4).
The distances required under subsection (4)(a) shall be measured along a road, street, or place maintained by this state or a local unit of government and generally open to the public as a matter of right for the purpose of vehicular traffic, not including an alley.

History: 2006, Act 110, Eff. July 1, 2006;Am. 2007, Act 219, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 2007.

125.3207 Zoning ordinance or decision; effect as prohibiting establishment of land use.

Sec. 207. A zoning ordinance or zoning decision shall not have the effect of totally prohibiting the establishment of a land use within a local unit of government in the presence of a demonstrated need for that land use within either that local unit of government or the surrounding area within the state, unless a location within the local unit of government does not exist where the use may be appropriately located or the use is unlawful.

History: 2006, Act 110, Eff. July 1, 2006.

125.3208 Nonconforming uses or structures.

Sec. 208. (1) If the use of a dwelling, building, or structure or of the land is lawful at the time of enactment of a zoning ordinance or an amendment to a zoning ordinance, then that use may be continued although the use does not conform to the zoning ordinance or amendment. This subsection is intended to codify the law as it existed before July 1, 2006 in section 16(1) of the former county zoning act, 1943 PA 183, section 16(1) of the former township zoning act, 1943 PA 184, and section 3a(1) of the former city and village zoning act, 1921 PA 207, as they applied to counties, townships, and cities and villages, respectively, and shall be construed as a continuation of those laws and not as a new enactment.

The legislative body may provide in a zoning ordinance for the completion, resumption, restoration, reconstruction, extension, or substitution of nonconforming uses or structures upon terms and conditions provided in the zoning ordinance. In establishing terms for the completion, resumption, restoration, reconstruction, extension, or substitution of nonconforming uses or structures, different classes of nonconforming uses may be established in the zoning ordinance with different requirements applicable to each class.
The legislative body may acquire, by purchase, condemnation, or otherwise, private property or an interest in private property for the removal of nonconforming uses and structures. The legislative body may provide that the cost and expense of acquiring private property may be paid from general funds or assessed to a special district in accordance with the applicable statutory provisions relating to the creation and operation of special assessment districts for public improvements in local units of government. Property acquired under this subsection by a city or village shall not be used for public housing.
The elimination of the nonconforming uses and structures in a zoning district is declared to be for a public purpose and for a public use. The legislative body may institute proceedings for condemnation of nonconforming uses and structures under 1911 PA 149, MCL 213.21 to 213.25.

History: 2006, Act 110, Eff. July 1, 2006;Am. 2008, Act 12, Imd. Eff. Feb. 29, 2008;Am. 2010, Act 330, Imd. Eff. Dec. 21,

2010.

125.3209 Township zoning ordinance not subject to county ordinance, rule, or regulation.

Sec. 209. Except as otherwise provided under this act, a township that has enacted a zoning ordinance under this act is not subject to an ordinance, rule, or regulation adopted by a county under this act.

History: 2006, Act 110, Eff. July 1, 2006.

125.3210 Ordinance as controlling.

Sec. 210. Except as otherwise provided under this act, an ordinance adopted under this act shall be controlling in the case of any inconsistencies between the ordinance and an ordinance adopted under any other law.

History: 2006, Act 110, Eff. July 1, 2006.

125.3211 Appointment of zoning commission by legislative body; purposes; petition; initiation of action to formulate zoning commission and zoning ordinance.

Sec. 211. (1) The legislative body may proceed with the adoption of a zoning ordinance containing land

development regulations and establishing zoning districts under this act upon appointment of a zoning commission as provided in section 301.

The legislative body may appoint a zoning commission for purposes of formulating a zoning ordinance on its own initiative or upon receipt of a petition requesting that action as provided under subsection (3).
Upon receipt of a petition signed by a number of qualified and registered voters residing in the zoning jurisdiction equal to not less than 8% of the total votes cast within the zoning jurisdiction for all candidates for governor at the last preceding general election at which a governor was elected, filed with the clerk of the local unit of government requesting the legislative body to appoint a zoning commission for purposes of formulating a zoning ordinance, the legislative body, at the next regular meeting, may initiate action to formulate a zoning commission and zoning ordinance under this act.

History: 2006, Act 110, Eff. July 1, 2006.

ARTICLE III ZONING COMMISSION

125.3301 Zoning commission; creation; transfer of powers to planning commission; resolution; membership; terms; successors; vacancy; limitation; removal of member; officers.

Sec. 301. (1) Each local unit of government in which the legislative body exercises authority under this act shall create a zoning commission unless 1 of the following applies:

A county zoning commission created under former 1943 PA 183, a township zoning board created under former 1943 PA 184, or a city or village zoning commission created under former 1921 PA 207 was in existence in the local unit of government as of June 30, 2006. Unless abolished by the legislative body, that existing board or commission shall continue as and exercise the powers and perform the duties of a zoning commission under this act, subject to a transfer of power under subsection (2).
A planning commission was, as of June 30, 2006, in existence in the local unit of government and pursuant to the applicable planning enabling act exercising the powers and performing the duties of a county zoning commission created under former 1943 PA 185, of a township zoning board created under former 1943 PA 184, or of a city or village zoning commission created under former 1921 PA 207. Unless abolished by the legislative body, that existing planning commission shall continue and exercise the powers and perform the duties of a zoning commission under this act.
The local unit of government has created a planning commission on or after July 1, 2006 and transferred the powers and duties of a zoning commission to the planning commission pursuant to the applicable planning enabling act.

1. Except as otherwise provided under this subsection, if the powers and duties of the zoning commission have been transferred to the planning commission as provided by law, the planning commission shall function as the zoning commission of the local unit of government. By July 1, 2011, the legislative body shall transfer the powers and duties of the zoning commission to the planning commission. Except as provided under this subsection, beginning July 1, 2011, a zoning commission’s powers or duties under this act or an ordinance adopted under this act shall only be exercised or performed by a planning commission.
2. If a zoning commission is created on or after July 1, 2006, the zoning commission shall be created by resolution and be composed of not fewer than 5 or more than 11 members appointed by the legislative body. Not fewer than 2 of the members of a county zoning commission shall be recommended for membership by the legislative bodies of townships that are, or will be, subject to the county zoning ordinance. This requirement may be met as vacancies occur on a county zoning commission that existed on June 30, 2006.
3. The members of a zoning commission shall be selected upon the basis of the members’ qualifications and fitness to serve as members of a zoning commission.
4. The first zoning commission appointed under subsection (3) shall be divided as nearly as possible into 3 equal groups, with terms of each group as follows:
  1. One group for 1 year.
  2. One group for 2 years.
  3. One group for 3 years.
5. Upon the expiration of the terms of the members first appointed, successors shall be appointed in the same manner for terms of 3 years each. A member of the zoning commission shall serve until a successor is appointed and has been qualified.
6. A vacancy on a zoning commission shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment.
7. An elected officer of a local unit of government shall not serve simultaneously as a member or an

employee of the zoning commission of that local unit of government, except that 1 member of the legislative body may be a member of the zoning commission.

The legislative body shall provide for the removal of a member of a zoning commission for misfeasance, malfeasance, or nonfeasance in office upon written charges and after public hearing.
A zoning commission shall elect from its members a chairperson, a secretary, and other officers and establish such committees it considers necessary and may engage any employees, including for technical assistance, it requires. The election of officers shall be held not less than once in every 2-year period.

History: 2006, Act 110, Eff. July 1, 2006;Am. 2008, Act 12, Imd. Eff. Feb. 29, 2008.

125.3302 Expenses; compensation.

Sec. 302. Members of the zoning commission may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses actually incurred in the discharge of their duties and may receive compensation as fixed by the legislative body.

History: 2006, Act 110, Eff. July 1, 2006.

125.3303 Planning expert; compensation.

Sec. 303. (1) With the approval of the legislative body, the zoning commission may engage the services of a planning expert. Compensation for the planning expert shall be paid by the legislative body.

The zoning commission shall consider any information and recommendations furnished by appropriate public officials, departments, or agencies.

History: 2006, Act 110, Eff. July 1, 2006.

125.3304 Regular meetings; notice; zoning commission subject to open meetings act.

Sec. 304. The zoning commission shall hold a minimum of 2 regular meetings annually, giving notice of the time and place by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the zoning jurisdiction. Notice shall be given not less than 15 days before the meeting. The zoning commission is subject to the open meetings act, 1976 PA 267, MCL 15.261 to 15.275.

History: 2006, Act 110, Eff. July 1, 2006.

125.3305 Recommendations of zoning commission; adoption and filing.

Sec. 305. The zoning commission shall adopt and file with the legislative body the following recommendations:

A zoning plan for the areas subject to zoning of the local unit of government.
The establishment of zoning districts, including the boundaries of those districts.
The text of a zoning ordinance with the necessary maps and zoning regulations to be adopted for a zoning district or the zoning jurisdiction as a whole.
The manner of administering and enforcing the zoning ordinance.

History: 2006, Act 110, Eff. July 1, 2006.

125.3306 Recommendations of zoning commission; submission to legislative body; public hearing; notice; examination of proposed text and maps.

Sec. 306. (1) Before submitting its recommendations for a proposed zoning ordinance to the legislative body, the zoning commission shall hold at least 1 public hearing. Notice of the time and place of the public hearing shall be given in the same manner as required under section 103(1) for the initial adoption of a zoning ordinance or section 202 for any other subsequent zoning text or map amendments.

Notice of the time and place of the public hearing shall also be given by mail to each electric, gas, and pipeline public utility company, each telecommunication service provider, each railroad operating within the district or zone affected, and the airport manager of each airport, that registers its name and mailing address with the clerk of the legislative body for the purpose of receiving the notice of public hearing.
The notices required under this section shall include the places and times at which the proposed text and any maps of the zoning ordinance may be examined.

History: 2006, Act 110, Eff. July 1, 2006.

125.3307 Review and recommendations after hearing; submission to township; submission to coordinating zoning committee; waiver of right to review.

Sec. 307. (1) Following the hearing required in section 306, a township shall submit for review and recommendation the proposed zoning ordinance, including any zoning maps, to the zoning commission of the county in which the township is situated if a county zoning commission has been appointed as provided under this act.

1. If there is not a county zoning commission or county planning commission, the proposed zoning

ordinance shall be submitted to the coordinating zoning committee. The coordinating zoning committee shall be composed of either 3 or 5 members appointed by the legislative body of the county for the purpose of coordinating the zoning ordinances proposed for adoption under this act with the zoning ordinances of a township, city, or village having a common boundary with the township.

The county will have waived its right for review and recommendation of an ordinance if the recommendation of the county zoning commission, planning commission, or coordinating zoning committee has not been received by the township within 30 days from the date the proposed ordinance is received by the county.
The legislative body of a county by resolution may waive its right to review township ordinances and amendments under this section.

History: 2006, Act 110, Eff. July 1, 2006.

125.3308 Summary of public hearing comments; transmission to legislative body by zoning commission; report.

Sec. 308. (1) Following the required public hearing under section 306, the zoning commission shall transmit a summary of comments received at the hearing and its proposed zoning ordinance, including any zoning maps and recommendations, to the legislative body of the local unit of government.

(2) Following the enactment of the zoning ordinance, the zoning commission shall at least once per year prepare for the legislative body a report on the administration and enforcement of the zoning ordinance and recommendations for amendments or supplements to the ordinance.

History: 2006, Act 110, Eff. July 1, 2006.

ARTICLE IV

ZONING ADOPTION AND ENFORCEMENT

125.3401 Public hearing to be held by legislative body; conditions; notice; approval of zoning ordinance and amendments by legislative body; filing; notice of ordinance adoption; notice mailed to airport manager; information to be included in notice; other statutory requirements superseded.

Sec. 401. (1) After receiving a zoning ordinance under section 308(1) or an amendment under sections 202 and 308(1), the legislative body may hold a public hearing if it considers it necessary or if otherwise required.

Notice of a public hearing to be held by the legislative body shall be given in the same manner as required under section 103(1) for the initial adoption of a zoning ordinance or section 202 for any zoning text or map amendments.
The legislative body may refer any proposed amendments to the zoning commission for consideration and comment within a time specified by the legislative body.
The legislative body shall grant a hearing on a proposed ordinance provision to an interested property owner who requests a hearing by certified mail, addressed to the clerk of the legislative body. A hearing under this subsection is not subject to the requirements of section 103, except that notice of the hearing shall be given to the interested property owner in the manner required in section 103(3) and (4).
After any proceedings under subsections (1) to (4), the legislative body shall consider and vote upon the adoption of a zoning ordinance, with or without amendments. A zoning ordinance and any amendments shall be approved by a majority vote of the members of the legislative body.
Except as otherwise provided under section 402, a zoning ordinance shall take effect upon the expiration of 7 days after publication as required by subsection (7) or at such later date after publication as may be specified by the legislative body or charter.
Following adoption of a zoning ordinance or any subsequent amendments by the legislative body, the zoning ordinance or subsequent amendments shall be filed with the clerk of the legislative body, and a notice of ordinance adoption shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the local unit of government within 15 days after adoption.
A copy of the notice required under subsection (7) shall be mailed to the airport manager of an airport entitled to notice under section 306.
The notice required under this section shall include all of the following information:
1. In the case of a newly adopted zoning ordinance, the following statement: “A zoning ordinance regulating the development and use of land has been adopted by the legislative body of the [county, township, city, or village] of .”.
2. In the case of an amendment to an existing zoning ordinance, either a summary of the regulatory effect of the amendment, including the geographic area affected, or the text of the amendment.
3. The effective date of the ordinance or amendment.
4. The place where and time when a copy of the ordinance or amendment may be purchased or inspected.
The filing and publication requirements under this section supersede any other statutory or charter requirements relating to the filing and publication of county, township, city, or village ordinances.

History: 2006, Act 110, Eff. July 1, 2006;Am. 2008, Act 12, Imd. Eff. Feb. 29, 2008.

125.3402 Notice of intent to file petition.

Sec. 402. (1) Within 7 days after publication of a zoning ordinance under section 401, a registered elector residing in the zoning jurisdiction of a county or township may file with the clerk of the legislative body a notice of intent to file a petition under this section.

If a notice of intent is filed under subsection (1), the petitioner shall have 30 days following the publication of the zoning ordinance to file a petition signed by a number of registered electors residing in the zoning jurisdiction not less than 15% of the total vote cast within the zoning jurisdiction for all candidates for governor at the last preceding general election at which a governor was elected, with the clerk of the legislative body requesting the submission of a zoning ordinance or part of a zoning ordinance to the electors residing in the zoning jurisdiction for their approval.
Upon the filing of a notice of intent under subsection (1), the zoning ordinance or part of the zoning ordinance adopted by the legislative body shall not take effect until 1 of the following occurs:

The expiration of 30 days after publication of the ordinance, if a petition is not filed within that time.
If a petition is filed within 30 days after publication of the ordinance, the clerk of the legislative body determines that the petition is inadequate.
If a petition is filed within 30 days after publication of the ordinance, the clerk of the legislative body determines that the petition is adequate and the ordinance or part of the ordinance is approved by a majority of the registered electors residing in the zoning jurisdiction voting on the petition at the next regular election or at any special election called for that purpose. The legislative body shall provide the manner of submitting the zoning ordinance or part of the zoning ordinance to the electors for their approval or rejection and determining the result of the election.

A petition and an election under this section are subject to the Michigan election law, 1954 PA 116, MCL 168.1 to 168.992.

History: 2006, Act 110, Eff. July 1, 2006.

125.3403 Amendment to zoning ordinance; filing of protest petition; vote.

Sec. 403. (1) An amendment to a zoning ordinance by a city or village is subject to a protest petition as required by this subsection. If a protest petition is filed, approval of the amendment to the zoning ordinance shall require a 2/3 vote of the legislative body, unless a larger vote, not to exceed a 3/4 vote, is required by ordinance or charter. The protest petition shall be presented to the legislative body of the city or village before final legislative action on the amendment and shall be signed by 1 or more of the following:

The owners of at least 20% of the area of land included in the proposed change.
The owners of at least 20% of the area of land included within an area extending outward 100 feet from any point on the boundary of the land included in the proposed change.

(2) Publicly owned land shall be excluded in calculating the 20% land area requirement under subsection (1).

History: 2006, Act 110, Eff. July 1, 2006.

125.3404 Interim zoning ordinance.

Sec. 404. (1) To protect the public health, safety, and general welfare of the inhabitants and the lands and resources of a local unit of government during the period required for the preparation and enactment of an initial zoning ordinance under this act, the legislative body of a local unit of government may direct the zoning commission to submit, within a specified period of time, recommendations as to the provisions of an interim zoning ordinance.

1. Before presenting its recommendations to the legislative body, the zoning commission of a township shall submit the interim zoning ordinance, or an amendment to the ordinance, to the county zoning commission or the coordinating zoning committee, for the purpose of coordinating the zoning ordinance with the zoning ordinances of a township, city, or village having a common boundary with the township. The ordinance shall be considered approved 15 days from the date the zoning ordinance is submitted to the legislative body.
2. After approval, the legislative body, by majority vote of its members, may give the interim ordinance or amendments to the interim ordinance immediate effect. An interim ordinance and subsequent amendments

shall be filed and published as required under section 401.

The interim ordinance, including any amendments, shall be limited to 1 year from the effective date and to not more than 2 years of renewal thereafter by resolution of the local unit of government.

History: 2006, Act 110, Eff. July 1, 2006.

125.3405 Use and development of land as condition to rezoning.

Sec. 405. (1) An owner of land may voluntarily offer in writing, and the local unit of government may approve, certain use and development of the land as a condition to a rezoning of the land or an amendment to a zoning map.

In approving the conditions under subsection (1), the local unit of government may establish a time period during which the conditions apply to the land. Except for an extension under subsection (4), if the conditions are not satisfied within the time specified under this subsection, the land shall revert to its former zoning classification.
The local government shall not add to or alter the conditions approved under subsection (1) during the time period specified under subsection (2) of this section.
The time period specified under subsection (2) may be extended upon the application of the landowner and approval of the local unit of government.
A local unit of government shall not require a landowner to offer conditions as a requirement for rezoning. The lack of an offer under subsection (1) shall not otherwise affect a landowner’s rights under this act, the ordinances of the local unit of government, or any other laws of this state.

History: 2006, Act 110, Eff. July 1, 2006.

125.3406 Zoning permits; fees; effect of delinquent payment of fine, costs, or assessment.

Sec. 406. (1) The legislative body may charge reasonable fees for zoning permits as a condition of granting authority to use, erect, alter, or locate dwellings, buildings, and structures, including tents and recreational vehicles, within a zoning district established under this act.

A zoning ordinance adopted by a city may provide that a person is not eligible to apply for a rezoning, site plan approval, special land use approval, planned unit development approval, variance, or other zoning authorization if the person is delinquent in paying a civil fine, costs, or a justice system assessment imposed by an administrative hearings bureau established in that city pursuant to section 4q of the home rule city act, 1909 PA 279, MCL 117.4q.
A zoning ordinance provision adopted under subsection (2) does not apply to an applicant for a zoning authorization if the applicant became the owner of the property by foreclosure or by taking a deed in lieu of foreclosure and is 1 of the following:

A government-sponsored enterprise. As used in this subdivision, “government-sponsored enterprise” means that term as defined in 2 USC 622(8), or the Michigan state housing development authority created under the state housing development authority act of 1966, 1966 PA 346, MCL 125.1401 to 125.1499c.
A financial institution. As used in this subdivision, “financial institution” means that term as defined in section 4(c) of the Michigan strategic fund act, 1984 PA 270, MCL 125.2004.
A mortgage servicer, as that term is defined in section 1a of the mortgage brokers, lenders, and servicers licensing act, 1987 PA 173, MCL 445.1651a, that is subject to the mortgage brokers, lenders, and servicers licensing act, 1987 PA 173, MCL 445.1651 to 445.1684.
A credit union service organization that is organized under the laws of this state or the United States.

Subsection (2) does not apply to a zoning authorization if the authorization will correct, in whole or in part, the blight violation that was the subject of the delinquent payment referred to in subsection (2).

History: 2006, Act 110, Eff. July 1, 2006;Am. 2013, Act 189, Eff. Mar. 14, 2014.

125.3407 Certain violations as nuisance per se.

Sec. 407. Except as otherwise provided by law, a use of land or a dwelling, building, or structure, including a tent or recreational vehicle, used, erected, altered, razed, or converted in violation of a zoning ordinance or regulation adopted under this act is a nuisance per se. The court shall order the nuisance abated, and the owner or agent in charge of the dwelling, building, structure, tent, recreational vehicle, or land is liable for maintaining a nuisance per se. The legislative body shall in the zoning ordinance enacted under this act designate the proper official or officials who shall administer and enforce the zoning ordinance and do 1 of the following for each violation of the zoning ordinance:

Impose a penalty for the violation.
Designate the violation as a municipal civil infraction and impose a civil fine for the violation.
Designate the violation as a blight violation and impose a civil fine or other sanction authorized by law.

This subdivision applies only to a city that establishes an administrative hearings bureau pursuant to section 4q of the home rule city act, 1909 PA 279, MCL 117.4q.

History: 2006, Act 110, Eff. July 1, 2006;Am. 2008, Act 12, Imd. Eff. Feb. 29, 2008.

ARTICLE V

SPECIAL ZONING PROVISIONS

125.3501 Submission and approval of site plan; procedures and requirements.

Sec. 501. (1) The local unit of government may require the submission and approval of a site plan before authorization of a land use or activity regulated by a zoning ordinance. The zoning ordinance shall specify the body or official responsible for reviewing site plans and granting approval.

If a zoning ordinance requires site plan approval, the site plan, as approved, shall become part of the record of approval, and subsequent actions relating to the activity authorized shall be consistent with the approved site plan, unless a change conforming to the zoning ordinance is agreed to by the landowner and the body or official that initially approved the site plan.
The procedures and requirements for the submission and approval of site plans shall be specified in the zoning ordinance. Site plan submission, review, and approval shall be required for special land uses and planned unit developments.
A decision rejecting, approving, or conditionally approving a site plan shall be based upon requirements and standards contained in the zoning ordinance, other statutorily authorized and properly adopted local unit of government planning documents, other applicable ordinances, and state and federal statutes.
A site plan shall be approved if it contains the information required by the zoning ordinance and is in compliance with the conditions imposed under the zoning ordinance, other statutorily authorized and properly adopted local unit of government planning documents, other applicable ordinances, and state and federal statutes.

History: 2006, Act 110, Eff. July 1, 2006;Am. 2008, Act 12, Imd. Eff. Feb. 29, 2008.

125.3502 Special land uses; review and approval; application; notice of request; public hearing; incorporation of decision in statement of findings and conclusions.

Sec. 502. (1) The legislative body may provide in a zoning ordinance for special land uses in a zoning district. A special land use shall be subject to the review and approval of the zoning commission, the planning commission, an official charged with administering the zoning ordinance, or the legislative body as required by the zoning ordinance. The zoning ordinance shall specify all of the following:

The special land uses and activities eligible for approval and the body or official responsible for reviewing and granting approval.
The requirements and standards for approving a request for a special land use.
The procedures and supporting materials required for the application, review, and approval of a special land use.

Upon receipt of an application for a special land use which requires a discretionary decision, the local unit of government shall provide notice of the request as required under section 103. The notice shall indicate that a public hearing on the special land use request may be requested by any property owner or the occupant of any structure located within 300 feet of the property being considered for a special land use regardless of whether the property or occupant is located in the zoning jurisdiction.
At the initiative of the body or official responsible for approving the special land use or upon the request of the applicant, a real property owner whose real property is assessed within 300 feet of the property, or the occupant of a structure located within 300 feet of the property, a public hearing shall be held before a discretionary decision is made on the special land use request.
The body or official designated to review and approve special land uses may deny, approve, or approve with conditions a request for special land use approval. The decision on a special land use shall be incorporated in a statement of findings and conclusions relative to the special land use which specifies the basis for the decision and any conditions imposed.

History: 2006, Act 110, Eff. July 1, 2006.

125.3503 Planned unit development.

Sec. 503. (1) As used in this section, “planned unit development” includes such terms as cluster zoning, planned development, community unit plan, and planned residential development and other terminology denoting zoning requirements designed to accomplish the objectives of the zoning ordinance through a land

development project review process based on the application of site planning criteria to achieve integration of the proposed land development project with the characteristics of the project area.

The legislative body may establish planned unit development requirements in a zoning ordinance that permit flexibility in the regulation of land development, encourage innovation in land use and variety in design, layout, and type of structures constructed, achieve economy and efficiency in the use of land, natural resources, energy, and the provision of public services and utilities, encourage useful open space, and provide better housing, employment, and shopping opportunities particularly suited to the needs of the residents of this state. The review and approval of planned unit developments shall be by the zoning commission, an individual charged with administration of the zoning ordinance, or the legislative body, as specified in the zoning ordinance.
Within a land development project designated as a planned unit development, regulations relating to the use of land, including, but not limited to, permitted uses, lot sizes, setbacks, height limits, required facilities, buffers, open space areas, and land use density, shall be determined in accordance with the planned unit development regulations specified in the zoning ordinance. The planned unit development regulations need not be uniform with regard to each type of land use if equitable procedures recognizing due process principles and avoiding arbitrary decisions are followed in making regulatory decisions. Unless explicitly prohibited by the planned unit development regulations, if requested by the landowner, a local unit of government may approve a planned unit development with open space that is not contiguous with the rest of the planned unit development.
The planned unit development regulations established by the local unit of government shall specify all of the following:
1. The body or official responsible for the review and approval of planned unit development requests.
2. The conditions that create planned unit development eligibility, the participants in the review process, and the requirements and standards upon which applicants will be reviewed and approval granted.
3. The procedures required for application, review, and approval.
Following receipt of a request to approve a planned unit development, the body or official responsible for the review and approval shall hold at least 1 public hearing on the request. A zoning ordinance may provide for preapplication conferences before submission of a planned unit development request and the submission of preliminary site plans before the public hearing. Notification of the public hearing shall be given in the same manner as required under section 103.
Within a reasonable time following the public hearing, the body or official responsible for approving planned unit developments shall meet for final consideration of the request and deny, approve, or approve with conditions the request. The body or official shall prepare a report stating its conclusions, its decision, the basis for its decision, and any conditions imposed on an affirmative decision.
If amendment of a zoning ordinance is required by the planned unit development regulations of a zoning ordinance, the requirements of this act for amendment of a zoning ordinance shall be followed, except that the hearing and notice required by this section shall fulfill the public hearing and notice requirements of section 306.
If the planned unit development regulations of a zoning ordinance do not require amendment of the zoning ordinance to authorize a planned unit development, the body or official responsible for review and approval shall approve, approve with conditions, or deny a request.
Final approval may be granted on each phase of a multiphased planned unit development if each phase contains the necessary components to insure protection of natural resources and the health, safety, and welfare of the users of the planned unit development and the residents of the surrounding area.
In establishing planned unit development requirements, a local unit of government may incorporate by reference other ordinances or statutes which regulate land development. The planned unit development regulations contained in zoning ordinances shall encourage complementary relationships between zoning regulations and other regulations affecting the development of land.

History: 2006, Act 110, Eff. July 1, 2006.

125.3504 Special land uses; regulations and standards; compliance; conditions; record of conditions.

Sec. 504. (1) If the zoning ordinance authorizes the consideration and approval of special land uses or planned unit developments under section 502 or 503 or otherwise provides for discretionary decisions, the regulations and standards upon which those decisions are made shall be specified in the zoning ordinance.

1. The standards shall be consistent with and promote the intent and purpose of the zoning ordinance and shall insure that the land use or activity authorized shall be compatible with adjacent uses of land, the natural environment, and the capacities of public services and facilities affected by the land use. The standards shall

also insure that the land use or activity is consistent with the public health, safety, and welfare of the local unit of government.

A request for approval of a land use or activity shall be approved if the request is in compliance with the standards stated in the zoning ordinance, the conditions imposed under the zoning ordinance, other applicable ordinances, and state and federal statutes.
Reasonable conditions may be required with the approval of a special land use, planned unit development, or other land uses or activities permitted by discretionary decision. The conditions may include conditions necessary to insure that public services and facilities affected by a proposed land use or activity will be capable of accommodating increased service and facility loads caused by the land use or activity, to protect the natural environment and conserve natural resources and energy, to insure compatibility with adjacent uses of land, and to promote the use of land in a socially and economically desirable manner. Conditions imposed shall meet all of the following requirements:
1. Be designed to protect natural resources, the health, safety, and welfare, as well as the social and economic well-being, of those who will use the land use or activity under consideration, residents and landowners immediately adjacent to the proposed land use or activity, and the community as a whole.
2. Be related to the valid exercise of the police power and purposes which are affected by the proposed use or activity.
3. Be necessary to meet the intent and purpose of the zoning requirements, be related to the standards established in the zoning ordinance for the land use or activity under consideration, and be necessary to insure compliance with those standards.
The conditions imposed with respect to the approval of a land use or activity shall be recorded in the record of the approval action and remain unchanged except upon the mutual consent of the approving authority and the landowner. The approving authority shall maintain a record of conditions which are changed.

History: 2006, Act 110, Eff. July 1, 2006.

125.3505 Performance guarantee.

Sec. 505. (1) To ensure compliance with a zoning ordinance and any conditions imposed under a zoning ordinance, a local unit of government may require that a cash deposit, certified check, irrevocable letter of credit, or surety bond acceptable to the local unit of government covering the estimated cost of improvements be deposited with the clerk of the legislative body to insure faithful completion of the improvements. The performance guarantee shall be deposited at the time of the issuance of the permit authorizing the activity or project. The local unit of government may not require the deposit of the performance guarantee until it is prepared to issue the permit. The local unit of government shall establish procedures by which a rebate of any cash deposits in reasonable proportion to the ratio of work completed on the required improvements shall be made as work progresses.

This section shall not be applicable to improvements for which a cash deposit, certified check, irrevocable bank letter of credit, or surety bond has been deposited under the land division act, 1967 PA 288, MCL 560.101 to 560.293.

History: 2006, Act 110, Eff. July 1, 2006.

125.3506 Open space preservation.

Sec. 506. (1) Subject to subsection (4) and section 402, a qualified local unit of government shall provide in its zoning ordinance that land zoned for residential development may be developed, at the option of the landowner, with the same number of dwelling units on a smaller portion of the land than specified in the zoning ordinance, but not more than 50% for a county or township or 80% for a city or village, that could otherwise be developed, as determined by the local unit of government under existing ordinances, laws, and rules on the entire land area, if all of the following apply:

The land is zoned at a density equivalent to 2 or fewer dwelling units per acre or, if the land is served by a public sewer system, 3 or fewer dwelling units per acre.
A percentage of the land area specified in the zoning ordinance, but not less than 50% for a county or township or 20% for a city or village, will remain perpetually in an undeveloped state by means of a conservation easement, plat dedication, restrictive covenant, or other legal means that runs with the land, as prescribed by the zoning ordinance.
The development does not depend upon the extension of a public sewer or public water supply system, unless development of the land without the exercise of the option provided by this subsection would also depend upon the extension.
The option provided under this subsection has not previously been exercised with respect to that land.

After a landowner exercises the option provided under subsection (1), the land may be rezoned accordingly.
The development of land under subsection (1) is subject to other applicable ordinances, laws, and rules, including rules relating to suitability of groundwater for on-site water supply for land not served by public water and rules relating to suitability of soils for on-site sewage disposal for land not served by public sewers.
Subsection (1) does not apply to a qualified local unit of government if both of the following apply:
1. On or before October 1, 2001, the local unit of government had in effect a zoning ordinance provision providing for both of the following:

Land zoned for residential development may be developed, at the option of the landowner, with the same number of dwelling units on a smaller portion of the land that, as determined by the local unit of government, could otherwise be developed under existing ordinances, laws, and rules on the entire land area.
If the landowner exercises the option provided by subparagraph (i), the portion of the land not developed will remain perpetually in an undeveloped state by means of a conservation easement, plat dedication, restrictive covenant, or other legal means that runs with the land.

1. On or before December 15, 2001, a landowner exercised the option provided under the zoning ordinance provision referred to in subdivision (a) with at least 50% of the land area for a county or township or 20% of the land area for a city or village, remaining perpetually in an undeveloped state.

The zoning ordinance provisions required by subsection (1) shall be cited as the “open space preservation” provisions of the zoning ordinance.
As used in this section, “qualified local unit of government” means a county, township, city, or village that meets all of the following requirements:
1. Has adopted a zoning ordinance.
2. Has a population of 1,800 or more.
3. Has land that is not developed and that is zoned for residential development at a density described in subsection (1)(a).

History: 2006, Act 110, Eff. July 1, 2006.

125.3507 Purchase of development rights program; adoption of ordinance; limitations; agreements with other local governments.

Sec. 507. (1) As used in this section and sections 508 and 509, “PDR program” means a purchase of development rights program.

The legislative body may adopt a development rights ordinance limited to the establishment, financing, and administration of a PDR program, as provided under this section and sections 508 and 509. The PDR program may be used only to protect agricultural land and other eligible land. This section and sections 508 and 509 do not expand the condemnation authority of a local unit of government as otherwise provided for in this act.
A PDR program shall not acquire development rights by condemnation. This section and sections 508 and 509 do not limit any authority that may otherwise be provided by law for a local unit of government to protect natural resources, preserve open space, provide for historic preservation, or accomplish similar purposes.
A legislative body shall not establish, finance, or administer a PDR program unless the legislative body adopts a development rights ordinance. If the local unit of government has a zoning ordinance, the development rights ordinance may be adopted as part of the zoning ordinance under the procedures for a zoning ordinance under this act. A local unit of government may adopt a development rights ordinance in the same manner as required for a zoning ordinance.
A legislative body may promote and enter into agreements with other local units of government for the purchase of development rights, including cross-jurisdictional purchases, subject to applicable development rights ordinances.

History: 2006, Act 110, Eff. July 1, 2006.

125.3508 PDR program; purchase of development rights by local unit of government; conveyance; notice; requirements for certain purchases.

Sec. 508. (1) A development rights ordinance shall provide for a PDR program. Under a PDR program, the local unit of government purchases development rights, but only from a willing landowner. A development rights ordinance providing for a PDR program shall specify all of the following:

1. The public benefits that the local unit of government may seek through the purchase of development rights.
2. The procedure by which the local unit of government or a landowner may by application initiate

purchase of development rights.

The development rights authorized to be purchased subject to a determination under standards and procedures required by subdivision (d).
The standards and procedures to be followed by the legislative body for approving, modifying, or rejecting an application to purchase development rights, including the determination of all the following:

Whether to purchase development rights.
Which development rights to purchase.
The intensity of development permitted after the purchase on the land from which the development rights are purchased.
The price at which development rights will be purchased and the method of payment.
The procedure for ensuring that the purchase or sale of development rights is legally fixed so as to run with the land.

1. The circumstances under which an owner of land from which development rights have been purchased under a PDR program may repurchase those development rights and how the proceeds of the purchase are to be used by the local unit of government.

If the local unit of government has a zoning ordinance, the purchase of development rights shall be consistent with the plan referred to in section 203 upon which the zoning ordinance is based.
Development rights acquired under a PDR program may be conveyed only as provided under subsection (1)(e).
A county shall notify each township, city, or village, and a township shall notify each village, in which is located land from which development rights are proposed to be purchased of the receipt of an application for the purchase of development rights and shall notify each township, city, or village of the disposition of that application.
A county shall not purchase development rights under a development rights ordinance from land subject to a township, city, or village zoning ordinance unless all of the following requirements are met:
1. The development rights ordinance provisions for the PDR program are consistent with the plan upon which the township, city, or village zoning is based.
2. The legislative body of the township, city, or village adopts a resolution authorizing the PDR program to apply in the township, city, or village.
3. As part of the application procedure for the specific proposed purchase of development rights, the township, city, or village provides the county with written approval of the purchase.

History: 2006, Act 110, Eff. July 1, 2006.

125.3509 PDR program; financing sources; bonds or notes; special assessments.

Sec. 509. (1) A PDR program may be financed through 1 or more of the following sources:

General appropriations by the local unit of government.
Proceeds from the sale of development rights by the local unit of government subject to section 508(3).
Grants.
Donations.
Bonds or notes issued under subsections (2) to (5).
General fund revenue.
Special assessments under subsection (6).
Other sources approved by the legislative body and permitted by law.

The legislative body may borrow money and issue bonds or notes under the revised municipal finance act, 2001 PA 34, MCL 141.2101 to 141.2821, subject to the general debt limit applicable to the local unit of government. The bonds or notes may be revenue bonds or notes, general obligation limited tax bonds or notes, or, subject to section 6 of article IX of the state constitution of 1963, general obligation unlimited tax bonds or notes.
The legislative body may secure bonds or notes issued under this section by mortgage, assignment, or pledge of property, including, but not limited to, anticipated tax collections, revenue sharing payments, or special assessment revenues. A pledge made by the legislative body is valid and binding from the time the pledge is made. The pledge immediately shall be subject to the lien of the pledge without a filing or further act. The lien of the pledge shall be valid and binding as against parties having claims in tort, contract, or otherwise against the local unit of government, irrespective of whether the parties have notice of the lien. Filing of the resolution, the trust agreement, or another instrument by which a pledge is created is not required.
Bonds or notes issued under this section are exempt from all taxation in this state except inheritance and transfer taxes, and the interest on the bonds or notes is exempt from all taxation in this state.
The bonds and notes issued under this section may be invested in by the state treasurer and all other public officers, state agencies, and political subdivisions, insurance companies, financial institutions, investment companies, and fiduciaries and trustees and may be deposited with and received by the state treasurer and all other public officers and the agencies and political subdivisions of this state for all purposes for which the deposit of bonds or notes is authorized. The authority granted by this section is in addition to all other authority granted by law.
A development rights ordinance may authorize the legislative body to finance a PDR program by special assessments. In addition to meeting the requirements of section 508, the development rights ordinance shall include in the procedure to approve and establish a special assessment district both of the following:
1. The requirement that there be filed with the legislative body a petition containing all of the following:

A description of the development rights to be purchased, including a legal description of the land from which the purchase is to be made.
A description of the proposed special assessment district.
The signatures of the owners of at least 66% of the land area in the proposed special assessment district.
The amount and duration of the proposed special assessments.

1. The requirement that the legislative body specify how the proposed purchase of development rights will specially benefit the land in the proposed special assessment district.

History: 2006, Act 110, Eff. July 1, 2006.

125.3513 Biofuel production facility as permitted use of property; requirements; special land use approval; application; hearing; conditions; applicability of subsections (2) to (5); authority of local unit of government; definitions.

Sec. 513. (1) A biofuel production facility with an annual production capacity of not more than 100,000 gallons of biofuel is a permitted use of property and is not subject to special land use approval if all of the following requirements are met:

The biofuel production facility is located on a farm.
The biofuel production facility is located not less than 100 feet from the boundary of any contiguous property under different ownership than the property on which the biofuel production facility is located and meets all applicable setback requirements of the zoning ordinance.
On an annual basis, not less than 75% of the feedstock for the biofuel production facility is produced on the farm where the biofuel production facility is located, and not less than 75% of the biofuel or another product or by-product produced by the biofuel production facility is used on that farm.

1. Subject to subsections (6) and (7), each of the following is a permitted use of property if it receives special land use approval under subsections (3) to (5):
  1. A biofuel production facility with an annual production capacity of not more than 100,000 gallons of biofuel that meets the requirements of subsection (1)(a) and (b) but that does not meet the requirements of subsection (1)(c).
  2. A biofuel production facility with an annual production capacity of more than 100,000 gallons but not more than 500,000 gallons of biofuel that meets the requirements of subsection (1)(a) and (b).
2. An application for special land use approval for a biofuel production facility described in subsection (2) shall include all of the following:
  1. A site plan as required under section 501, including a map of the property and existing and proposed buildings and other facilities.
  2. A description of the process to be used to produce biofuel.
  3. The number of gallons of biofuel anticipated to be produced annually.
  4. An emergency access and fire protection plan that has been reviewed and approved by the appropriate responding police and fire departments.
  5. For an ethanol production facility that will produce more than 10,000 proof gallons annually, completed United States department of the treasury, alcohol and tobacco tax and trade bureau, forms 5000.29 (environmental information) and 5000.30 (supplemental information on water quality considerations under 33 USC 1341(a)), or successor forms, required to implement regulations under the national environmental policy act of 1969, 42 USC 4321 to 4347, and the federal water pollution control act, 33 USC 1251 to 1387.
  6. Information that demonstrates that the biofuel production facility will comply with the requirements of subsections (2) and (5).
  7. Any additional information requested by the body or official responsible for granting special land use approval and relevant to compliance with a zoning ordinance provision described in section 502(1) or 504.
3. A local unit of government shall hold a hearing on an application for special land use approval under

subsection (2) not more than 60 days after the application is filed. For the purposes of this section, the notice required under section 502(2) shall provide notice of the hearing, rather than notice of a right to request a hearing.

Special land use approval of a biofuel production facility described in subsection (2) shall be made expressly conditional on the facility’s meeting all of the following requirements before the facility begins operation and no additional requirements:
1. Buildings, facilities, and equipment used in the production or storage of biofuel comply with local, state, and federal laws.
2. The owner or operator of the biofuel production facility provides the local unit of government with proof that all necessary approvals have been obtained from the department of environmental quality and other state and federal agencies that are involved in permitting any of the following aspects of biofuel production:

Air pollution emissions.
Transportation of biofuel or additional products resulting from biofuel production.
Use or reuse of additional products resulting from biofuel production.
Storage of raw materials, fuel, or additional products used in, or resulting from, biofuel production.

1. The biofuel production facility includes sufficient storage for both of the following:

Raw materials and fuel.
Additional products resulting from biofuel production or the capacity to dispose of additional products through land application, livestock consumption, sale, or other legal use.

Subsections (2) to (5) do not apply to a biofuel production facility if the zoning ordinance provides different criteria for special land use approval of a biofuel production facility located on a farm. An amendment to a zoning ordinance adopted only to provide such criteria is not subject to a protest petition under section 403.
A local unit of government may authorize a biofuel production facility described in subsection (2) as a permitted use of property not subject to a special land use approval.
This section does not affect the authority of a local unit of government to prohibit or authorize biofuel production facilities that are not located on farms.
As used in this section:
1. “Biofuel” means any renewable fuel product, whether solid, liquid, or gas, that is derived from recently living organisms or their metabolic by-products and meets applicable quality standards, including, but not limited to, ethanol and biodiesel. Biofuel does not include methane or any other fuel product from an anaerobic digester.
2. “Ethanol” means a substance that meets the ASTM international standard in effect on the effective date of this section as the D-4806 specification for denatured fuel grade ethanol for blending with gasoline.
3. “Farm” means that term as defined in section 2 of the Michigan right to farm act, 1981 PA 93, MCL 286.472.
4. “Proof gallon” means that term as defined in 27 CFR 19.907.

History: Add. 2011, Act 97, Imd. Eff. July 19, 2011.

125.3514 Wireless communications equipment as permitted use of property; application for special land use approval; approval or denial; authorization by local unit of government; definitions.

Sec. 3514. (1) Wireless communications equipment is a permitted use of property and is not subject to special land use approval or any other approval under this act if all of the following requirements are met:

The wireless communications equipment will be collocated on an existing wireless communications support structure or in an existing equipment compound.
The existing wireless communications support structure or existing equipment compound is in compliance with the local unit of government’s zoning ordinance or was approved by the appropriate zoning body or official for the local unit of government.
The proposed collocation will not do any of the following:

Increase the overall height of the wireless communications support structure by more than 20 feet or 10% of its original height, whichever is greater.
Increase the width of the wireless communications support structure by more than the minimum necessary to permit collocation.
Increase the area of the existing equipment compound to greater than 2,500 square feet.

The proposed collocation complies with the terms and conditions of any previous final approval of the wireless communications support structure or equipment compound by the appropriate zoning body or official of the local unit of government.

Wireless communications equipment that meets the requirements of subsection (1)(a) and (b) but does not meet the requirements of subsection (1)(c) or (d) is a permitted use of property if it receives special land use approval under subsections (3) to (6).
An application for special land use approval of wireless communications equipment described in subsection (2) shall include all of the following:
1. A site plan as required under section 501, including a map of the property and existing and proposed buildings and other facilities.
2. Any additional relevant information that is specifically required by a zoning ordinance provision described in section 502(1) or 504.
After an application for a special land use approval is filed with the body or official responsible for approving special land uses, the body or official shall determine whether the application is administratively complete. Unless the body or official proceeds as provided under subsection (5), the application shall be considered to be administratively complete when the body or official makes that determination or 14 business days after the body or official receives the application, whichever is first.
If, before the expiration of the 14-day period under subsection (4), the body or official responsible for approving special land uses notifies the applicant that the application is not administratively complete, specifying the information necessary to make the application administratively complete, or notifies the applicant that a fee required to accompany the application has not been paid, specifying the amount due, the running of the 14-day period under subsection (4) is tolled until the applicant submits to the body or official the specified information or fee amount due. The notice shall be given in writing or by electronic notification. A fee required to accompany any application shall not exceed the local unit of government’s actual, reasonable costs to review and process the application or $1,000.00, whichever is less.
The body or official responsible for approving special land uses shall approve or deny the application not more than 60 days after the application is considered to be administratively complete. If the body or official fails to timely approve or deny the application, the application shall be considered approved and the body or official shall be considered to have made any determination required for approval.
Special land use approval of wireless communications equipment described in subsection (2) may be made expressly conditional only on the wireless communications equipment’s meeting the requirements of other local ordinances and of federal and state laws before the wireless communications equipment begins operation.
If a local unit of government requires special land use approval for wireless communications equipment that does not meet the requirements of subsection (1)(a) or for a wireless communications support structure, subsections (4) to (6) apply to the special land use approval process, except that the period for approval or denial under subsection (6) is 90 days.
A local unit of government may authorize wireless communications equipment as a permitted use of property not subject to a special land use approval.
As used in this section:
1. “Collocate” means to place or install wireless communications equipment on an existing wireless communications support structure or in an existing equipment compound. “Collocation” has a corresponding meaning.
2. “Equipment compound” means an area surrounding or adjacent to the base of a wireless communications support structure and within which wireless communications equipment is located.
3. “Wireless communications equipment” means the set of equipment and network components used in the provision of wireless communications services, including, but not limited to, antennas, transmitters, receivers, base stations, equipment shelters, cabinets, emergency generators, power supply cables, and coaxial and fiber optic cables, but excluding wireless communications support structures.
4. “Wireless communications support structure” means a structure that is designed to support, or is capable of supporting, wireless communications equipment, including a monopole, self-supporting lattice tower, guyed tower, water tower, utility pole, or building.

History: Add. 2012, Act 143, Imd. Eff. May 24, 2012.

Compiler’s note: Sec. 3514. should evidently read “Sec. 514.”

ARTICLE VI

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

125.3601 Zoning board of appeals; appointment; procedural rules; membership; composition; alternate member; per diem; expenses; removal; terms of office; vacancies; conduct of meetings; conflict of interest.

Sec. 601. (1) A zoning ordinance shall create a zoning board of appeals. A zoning board of appeals in existence on June 30, 2006 may continue to act as the zoning board of appeals subject to this act. Subject to subsection (2), members of a zoning board of appeals shall be appointed by majority vote of the members of the legislative body serving.

The legislative body of a city or village may act as a zoning board of appeals and may establish rules to govern its procedure as a zoning board of appeals.
A zoning board of appeals shall be composed of not fewer than 5 members if the local unit of government has a population of 5,000 or more or not fewer than 3 members if the local unit of government has a population of less than 5,000. The number of members of the zoning board of appeals shall be specified in the zoning ordinance.
In a county or township, 1 of the regular members of the zoning board of appeals shall be a member of the zoning commission, or of the planning commission if the planning commission is functioning as the zoning commission. In a city or village, 1 of the regular members of the zoning board of appeals may be a member of the zoning commission, or of the planning commission if the planning commission is functioning as the zoning commission, unless the legislative body acts as the zoning board of appeals under subsection (2). A decision made by a city or village zoning board of appeals before February 29, 2008 is not invalidated by the failure of the zoning board of appeals to include a member of the city or village zoning commission or planning commission, as was required by this subsection before that date.
The remaining regular members of a zoning board of appeals, and any alternate members under subsection (7), shall be selected from the electors of the local unit of government residing within the zoning jurisdiction of that local unit of government or, in the case of a county, residing within the county but outside of any city or village. The members selected shall be representative of the population distribution and of the various interests present in the local unit of government.
Subject to subsection (2), 1 regular or alternate member of a zoning board of appeals may be a member of the legislative body. Such a member shall not serve as chairperson of the zoning board of appeals. An employee or contractor of the legislative body may not serve as a member of the zoning board of appeals.
The legislative body may appoint to the zoning board of appeals not more than 2 alternate members for the same term as regular members. An alternate member may be called as specified in the zoning ordinance to serve as a member of the zoning board of appeals in the absence of a regular member if the regular member will be unable to attend 1 or more meetings. An alternate member may also be called to serve as a member for the purpose of reaching a decision on a case in which the member has abstained for reasons of conflict of interest. The alternate member appointed shall serve in the case until a final decision is made. An alternate member serving on the zoning board of appeals has the same voting rights as a regular member.
A member of the zoning board of appeals may be paid a reasonable per diem and reimbursed for expenses actually incurred in the discharge of his or her duties.
A member of the zoning board of appeals may be removed by the legislative body for misfeasance, malfeasance, or nonfeasance in office upon written charges and after a public hearing. A member shall disqualify himself or herself from a vote in which the member has a conflict of interest. Failure of a member to disqualify himself or herself from a vote in which the member has a conflict of interest constitutes malfeasance in office.
The terms of office for an appointed member of the zoning board of appeals shall be 3 years, except for a member serving because of his or her membership on the zoning commission or legislative body, whose term shall be limited to the time he or she is a member of that body. When members are first appointed, appointments may be for less than 3 years to provide for staggered terms. A successor shall be appointed not more than 1 month after the term of the preceding member has expired.
A vacancy on the zoning board of appeals shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment.
A zoning board of appeals shall not conduct business unless a majority of the regular members of the zoning board of appeals are present.
A member of the zoning board of appeals who is also a member of the zoning commission, the planning commission, or the legislative body shall not participate in a public hearing on or vote on the same matter that the member voted on as a member of the zoning commission, the planning commission, or the legislative body. However, the member may consider and vote on other unrelated matters involving the same property.

History: 2006, Act 110, Eff. July 1, 2006;Am. 2008, Act 12, Imd. Eff. Feb. 29, 2008;Am. 2010, Act 330, Imd. Eff. Dec. 21,

2010.

125.3602 Meetings; call of the chairperson; oaths; attendance of witnesses; record of

proceedings.

Sec. 602. (1) Meetings of the zoning board of appeals shall be held at the call of the chairperson and at other times as the zoning board of appeals in its rules of procedure may specify. The chairperson or, in his or her absence, the acting chairperson may administer oaths and compel the attendance of witnesses.

(2) The zoning board of appeals shall maintain a record of its proceedings which shall be filed in the office of the clerk of the legislative body.

History: 2006, Act 110, Eff. July 1, 2006.

125.3603 Zoning board of appeals; powers; concurring vote of majority of members.

Sec. 603. (1) The zoning board of appeals shall hear and decide questions that arise in the administration of the zoning ordinance, including the interpretation of the zoning maps, and may adopt rules to govern its procedures sitting as a zoning board of appeals. The zoning board of appeals shall also hear and decide on matters referred to the zoning board of appeals or upon which the zoning board of appeals is required to pass under a zoning ordinance adopted under this act. It shall hear and decide appeals from and review any administrative order, requirement, decision, or determination made by an administrative official or body charged with enforcement of a zoning ordinance adopted under this act. For special land use and planned unit development decisions, an appeal may be taken to the zoning board of appeals only if provided for in the zoning ordinance.

(2) The concurring vote of a majority of the members of the zoning board of appeals is necessary to reverse an order, requirement, decision, or determination of the administrative official or body, to decide in favor of the applicant on a matter upon which the zoning board of appeals is required to pass under the zoning ordinance, or to grant a variance in the zoning ordinance.

History: 2006, Act 110, Eff. July 1, 2006.

125.3604 Zoning board of appeals; procedures.

Sec. 604. (1) An appeal to the zoning board of appeals may be taken by a person aggrieved or by an officer, department, board, or bureau of this state or the local unit of government. In addition, a variance in the zoning ordinance may be applied for and granted under section 4 of the uniform condemnation procedures act, 1980 PA 87, MCL 213.54, and as provided under this act. The zoning board of appeals shall state the grounds of any determination made by the board.

1. An appeal under this section shall be taken within such time as prescribed by the zoning board of appeals by general rule, by filing with the body or officer from whom the appeal is taken and with the zoning board of appeals a notice of appeal specifying the grounds for the appeal. The body or officer from whom the appeal is taken shall immediately transmit to the zoning board of appeals all of the papers constituting the record upon which the action appealed from was taken.
2. An appeal to the zoning board of appeals stays all proceedings in furtherance of the action appealed. However, if the body or officer from whom the appeal is taken certifies to the zoning board of appeals after the notice of appeal is filed that, by reason of facts stated in the certificate, a stay would in the opinion of the body or officer cause imminent peril to life or property, proceedings may be stayed only by a restraining order issued by the zoning board of appeals or a circuit court.
3. Following receipt of a written request for a variance, the zoning board of appeals shall fix a reasonable time for the hearing of the request and give notice as provided in section 103.
4. If the zoning board of appeals receives a written request seeking an interpretation of the zoning ordinance or an appeal of an administrative decision, the zoning board of appeals shall conduct a public hearing on the request. Notice shall be given as required under section 103. However, if the request does not involve a specific parcel of property, notice need only be published as provided in section 103(1) and given to the person making the request as provided in section 103(3).
5. At a hearing under subsection (5), a party may appear personally or by agent or attorney. The zoning board of appeals may reverse or affirm, wholly or partly, or modify the order, requirement, decision, or determination and may issue or direct the issuance of a permit.
6. If there are practical difficulties for nonuse variances as provided in subsection (8) or unnecessary hardship for use variances as provided in subsection (9) in the way of carrying out the strict letter of the zoning ordinance, the zoning board of appeals may grant a variance in accordance with this section, so that the spirit of the zoning ordinance is observed, public safety secured, and substantial justice done. The ordinance shall establish procedures for the review and standards for approval of all types of variances. The zoning board of appeals may impose conditions as otherwise allowed under this act.
7. The zoning board of appeals of all local units of government shall have the authority to grant nonuse variances relating to the construction, structural changes, or alteration of buildings or structures related to

dimensional requirements of the zoning ordinance or to any other nonuse-related standard in the ordinance.

The authority to grant variances from uses of land is limited to the following:
1. Cities and villages.
2. Townships and counties that as of February 15, 2006 had an ordinance that uses the phrase “use variance” or “variances from uses of land” to expressly authorize the granting of use variances by the zoning board of appeals.
3. Townships and counties that granted a use variance before February 15, 2006.
The authority granted under subsection (9) is subject to the zoning ordinance of the local unit of government otherwise being in compliance with subsection (7) and having an ordinance provision that requires a vote of 2/3 of the members of the zoning board of appeals to approve a use variance.
The authority to grant use variances under subsection (9) is permissive, and this section does not require a local unit of government to adopt ordinance provisions to allow for the granting of use variances.

History: 2006, Act 110, Eff. July 1, 2006;Am. 2008, Act 12, Imd. Eff. Feb. 29, 2008.

125.3605 Decision as final; appeal to circuit court.

Sec. 605. The decision of the zoning board of appeals shall be final. A party aggrieved by the decision may appeal to the circuit court for the county in which the property is located as provided under section 606.

History: 2006, Act 110, Eff. July 1, 2006.

125.3606 Circuit court; review; duties.

Sec. 606. (1) Any party aggrieved by a decision of the zoning board of appeals may appeal to the circuit court for the county in which the property is located. The circuit court shall review the record and decision to ensure that the decision meets all of the following requirements:

Complies with the constitution and laws of the state.
Is based upon proper procedure.
Is supported by competent, material, and substantial evidence on the record.
Represents the reasonable exercise of discretion granted by law to the zoning board of appeals.

If the court finds the record inadequate to make the review required by this section or finds that additional material evidence exists that with good reason was not presented, the court shall order further proceedings on conditions that the court considers proper. The zoning board of appeals may modify its findings and decision as a result of the new proceedings or may affirm the original decision. The supplementary record and decision shall be filed with the court. The court may affirm, reverse, or modify the decision.
An appeal from a decision of a zoning board of appeals shall be filed within whichever of the following deadlines comes first:
1. Thirty days after the zoning board of appeals issues its decision in writing signed by the chairperson, if there is a chairperson, or signed by the members of the zoning board of appeals, if there is no chairperson.
2. Twenty-one days after the zoning board of appeals approves the minutes of its decision.
The court may affirm, reverse, or modify the decision of the zoning board of appeals. The court may make other orders as justice requires.

History: 2006, Act 110, Eff. July 1, 2006;Am. 2008, Act 12, Imd. Eff. Feb. 29, 2008;Am. 2010, Act 330, Imd. Eff. Dec. 21,

2010.

125.3607 Party aggrieved by order, determination, or decision; circuit court review; proper party.

Sec. 607. (1) Any party aggrieved by any order, determination, or decision of any officer, agency, board, commission, zoning board of appeals, or legislative body of any local unit of government made under section 208 may obtain a review in the circuit court for the county in which the property is located. The review shall be in accordance with section 606.

(2) Any person required to be given notice under section 604(4) of the appeal of any order, determination, or decision made under section 208 shall be a proper party to any action for review under this section.

History: 2006, Act 110, Eff. July 1, 2006.

ARTICLE VII

STATUTORY COMPLIANCE AND REPEALER

125.3701 Compliance with open meetings act; availability of writings to public.

Sec. 701. (1) All meetings subject to this act shall be conducted in compliance with the open meetings act, 1976 PA 267, MCL 15.261 to 15.275.

A writing prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or retained as required by this act shall be made available to the public in compliance with the freedom of information act, 1976 PA 442, MCL 15.231 to 15.246.

History: 2006, Act 110, Eff. July 1, 2006.

125.3702 Repeal of MCL 125.581 to 125.600, 125.201 to 125.240, and 125.271 to 125.310;

construction of section.

Sec. 702. (1) The following acts and parts of acts are repealed:

The city and village zoning act, 1921 PA 207, MCL 125.581 to 125.600.
The county zoning act, 1943 PA 183, MCL 125.201 to 125.240.
The township zoning act, 1943 PA 184, MCL 125.271 to 125.310.

(2) This section does not alter, limit, void, affect, or abate any pending litigation, administrative proceeding, or appeal that existed on June 30, 2006 or any ordinance, order, permit, or decision that was based on the acts repealed under subsection (1). The zoning ordinance need not be readopted but is subject to the requirements of this act, including, but not limited to, the amendment procedures set forth in this act.

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