Off-Grid Living in Gladwin County, Michigan

I've been digging into what off-grid living actually looks like in Gladwin County, Michigan, and the short version is: it depends a lot on which township you're in, because zoning here isn't one-size-fits-all.

Zoning is split between the county and five townships. Gladwin County has a countywide zoning ordinance run by the Gladwin County Planning & Zoning Commission, effective since 2005. But Billings, Clement, Sage, Secord, and Tobacco Townships opted out of county zoning years ago and run their own ordinances with their own zoning administrators. So if you're eyeing land, the very first call I'd make is to whichever township you're in (or the county, if it's not one of those five) to find out what the local zoning actually allows for raw land, dwellings, and accessory structures.

Tiny homes and RVs as full-time dwellings: I couldn't find any official county or township language specifically addressing long-term RV living or minimum tiny-home size. This is a "not confirmed" area, and given zoning is handled locally, I'd expect it to vary township by township. Call before you commit.

Building permits go through the Gladwin County Construction Codes Department, which enforces building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing codes. Permits are required, though small accessory structures may be exempt from a building permit (zoning approval is still needed regardless).

Septic and wells aren't handled by the county at all. That job belongs to the Central Michigan District Health Department (CMDHD), which covers Gladwin and five other counties. Septic systems and private wells both require permits and inspections under CMDHD's Sanitary Code. Worth flagging: Secord Township has a "Time of Transfer" rule requiring well/septic evaluation whenever a property with an onsite well or septic system changes hands. Composting toilets aren't addressed anywhere I could find, so ask CMDHD directly if that's your plan.

Greywater and rainwater don't appear to have Gladwin-specific rules; both default to Michigan's state plumbing code baseline, administered by LARA.

Full utility disconnection is a genuine gray area. There's no explicit county ban I found, but since building permits typically require an approved well/septic setup, it's unclear whether a fully off-grid dwelling (no well, no septic) could get occupancy approval. I'd ask the Construction Codes Department directly before assuming it's possible.

Bottom line: this is a county where the paperwork trail splits three ways, township zoning, county building codes, and district health department water/septic rules, so plan on a few phone calls rather than one-stop shopping.