Bangor Township – Bay County, MI

Code Enforcement

About the Code Enforcement Department

The Code Enforcement Department is responsible for preserving the health, safety and welfare of the community through administration of the Township’s Code of Ordinances. This responsibility is met primarily by responding to and investigating complaints of alleged Ordinance violations. Proactive enforcement is accomplished through administration of a subdivision of the Code Enforcement Department created by the Property Maintenance Code.

Blight Complaints

Junk Motor Vehicles

The Township Blight Control Ordinance defines a junk motor vehicle as “any vehicle…not licensed to use upon the highways of the State of Michigan…and…whether licensed or not, any motor vehicle which is not inoperative for any reason for a period in excess of 60 days…” Exterior storage of junk motor vehicles is prohibited on any private property in the Township except upon the premises of a properly zoned, legally operating and approved auto parts dealer, auto repair garage, or wrecker business. Available alternatives include storage within a completely enclosed building, offsite in an approved storage facility, or disposal within an approved facility.

Open Burning & Yard Waste

Effective March 28, 1995, State Law prohibits the open burning of grass clippings and leaves in any municipality having a population of 7,500 or more including Bangor Township. State Law also prohibits the disposal of leaves or yard waste in public waterways, including the Kawkawlin River and Saginaw Bay. Violations of this law must be reported to a law enforcement agency, such as the Bay County Sheriff or State Police.

As an alternative to burning, the Township offers a yard waste collection weekly from the first pickup day in April through the last pickup day in November. Waste Management collects appropriately marked and acceptable containers of compost materials and bundled limbs of up to 2 inches in diameter and up to 4 feet long. Questions concerning yard waste pickup may be directed to the Township Supervisor’s Office at (989) 684-9831 or Waste Management at (800) 866-629-6902.

Residential Rental Property Registration & Inspection

The Township has adopted a Property Maintenance Code in order to assure that occupants of rental housing are assured quality housing, that property owners are encouraged to maintain their properties free of hazardous conditions that might expose them to liability if left unchecked, and that the appearance and value of neighborhoods in the community are improved. In order to provide for the minimum standards for the occupancy, repair, alteration, maintenance and operations of buildings and structures within the Township, this Code requires certain rental housing units to be registered and inspected annually.

Noxious Weeds & Tall Grass

Township ordinances prohibit the growth of noxious weeds within 165′ of the road fronting a parcel of property. Within this 165′ area, properties must be maintained free from weeds or plant growth over 10″ in height except trees, shrubs, and cultivated flowers and gardens.

Recreational Vehicles & Equipment

In order to provide for the public health and safety and maintain the clean, neat appearance of neighborhoods, the Township Zoning Ordinance regulates the parking and storage of recreation vehicles and equipment. Permanent utility connections are prohibited, and recreational vehicles may not be used for living or housekeeping purposes. Outside parking or storage must be in the side or rear yard of the lot and may not be within a required setback area. Recreational vehicles and equipment may be parked anywhere on the premises for loading and unloading purposes for up to 48 hours. Recreational vehicles must be maintained in good repair and carry a current year’s license and/or registration. Front yard parking or storage is permitted on waterfront lots only provided such parking or storage is no closer than 10′ to any adjacent property dwelling.

Street Numbers

When tragedy strikes and seconds count, it is important that emergency service providers (police, fire and medical) are able to immediately identify the property involved in the emergency. The Township’s Property Maintenance Code required each parcel of land on which there is a structure to which a street number has been assigned to have this number displayed in a position easily observed and readable from the public way. All numbers are required to be in Arabic numerals at least 3″ high and 1/2″ stroke. Though not mandated by this Ordinance, it is recommended that the numbers also be of contrasting color to the surface on which they are mounted. Reflective numbers can also help to identify your property at night when it is difficult to see.

Neighbor Disputes

The Code Enforcement Department is charged with enforcement of all Township Ordinances that have been adopted to promote the health, safety and welfare of the community. On occasion, this office is called upon to resolve disagreements between residents and their neighbors. Unfortunately, it is often the case that complaints received by this office that are the results of neighbors disputes have no basis in law or are civil matters over which the Township has no jurisdiction.

While it is the Township’s responsibility to ensure compliance with Township ordinances, there is no clear obligation for the Township to get involved in civil disputes or cases where neighbors simply do not get along. Though the Township makes every reasonable effort to assist or advise residents who call upon this office, you should seek professional consultation to resolve conflicts.

If you are in doubt as to whether the Township can assist you with your complaint, you are encouraged to direct your inquiry to the Code Enforcement Officer at (989) 684-5427.

Recreation Equipment

Excerpts from Bangor Township Zoning Ordinance #300,as amendedArticle 5.00

Section 5.15 Storage Of Recreational Equipment

Storage Of Recreational Equipment Any owner of camping and recreational equipment may park or store such equipment on residentially used property subject to the following conditions:

A. Recreational equipment parked or stored shall not have fixed connections to electricity, water, gas or sanitary sewer facilities, and at no time shall this equipment be used for living or housekeeping purposes.

B. If the camping and recreational equipment is parked or stored outside of a garage for more than forty-eight (48) hours, it shall be parked or stored in the side or rear yard of the lot (except waterfront lots) and shall not be located closer than ten (10) feet to a side or rear property line. On waterfront lots, recreational vehicles shall be stored only in the front yard and shall not be located closer than ten (10) feet of a dwelling located on an adjacent lot. (amended 10/10/06)

C. Notwithstanding the above provisions, camping and recreational equipment may be parked anywhere on the premises for loading or unloading purposes, for a period of not more than forty-eight (48) hours within a seven (7) day period.

D. All recreational equipment must be kept in good repair and carry a current year’s license and/or registration. Motor vehicles requiring a vehicle registration and license to move on the public roads must be kept in good running condition, capable of operation as licensed and maintained with a current registration and license for operation in the name of the occupant of the dwelling unit where the vehicle is stored.

E. A mobile home as defined in Article 3.00 shall not be construed to be a recreational vehicle and shall not be permitted to be stored in accordance with these provisions.

F. The provisions concerning connection to utilities, use as living quarters, and location may be waived for a period of up to two weeks to permit repair of the occupant’s equipment or to permit the parking of a recreation vehicle for a guest. Permits for any such waiver shall be obtained from the Building Official. No more than two (2) permits shall be issued for each activity per calendar year. (amended 01/07/08)

G. Recreational vehicles shall not be parked for more than forty-eight (48) hours within any multiple family residential complex.

H. Parking spaces designed for use by recreational vehicles shall be less than twelve (12) feet wide and no more than fifty feet in length.

Ordinance Enforcement Policy

Any complaint received related to Township Ordinance violations will be investigated by the Ordinance Enforcement Officer.
The Ordinance Enforcement Officer without prior Supervisor approval may investigate ordinance violations discovered by Township Inspectors and/or Ordinance Enforcement Officers in their normal work assignment.

An Ordinance Enforcement Officer investigating a particular case may make any necessary investigation in accordance with applicable law.
If the Ordinance Enforcement Officer determines no violation exists, the complaint may be dismissed. Notice of the investigation will be given to the Supervisor.

The Township will require the name and address of the person filing the complaint.

The Ordinance Enforcement Officer may confer with the violator, advise of specifics of the violation and necessary corrective steps verbally and/or in writing, issue stop-work orders and/or affix condemnation tags and may send out a warning letter without approval by the Supervisor.

If conferences, notices, etc. do not get desired results, then the Ordinance Enforcement Officer shall make a recommendation to the Supervisor for further enforcement action.

The Ordinance Enforcement Officer may confer with the Township Attorney concerning ordinance violations with the Supervisor’s approval. But he/she shall not direct the Township Attorney to send out a warning letter or take specific enforcement action.

If the Ordinance Enforcement Officer so recommends, the Supervisor may direct the Township Attorney to send out a warning letter or attempt to get violator’s cooperation in correcting a violation, but the Supervisor may not initiate further enforcement action involving the court system or Township “Self-Help” provisions, such as those set forth in the Blight and/or Noxious Weeds Ordinance, without Township Board approval.

Any enforcement action which involves invoking the jurisdiction of an appropriate court and/or utilizing Township “Self-Help” procedures requires prior approval of the Township Board; and,

No Township Board member shall interfere with any Township Ordinance violation matter, but shall refer all inquires concerning such matters to the Township Supervisor.

Property Maintenance Code

Rental Property Registration

The Bangor Township Code Enforcement Officer is required to maintain a registry of rental housing owners and premises. The owner(s) of a single-family dwelling, two family dwelling, dormitory, multiple dwelling, dwelling unit or guest room in a lodging house, hotel or motel, multiple dwelling, or rooming house, containing any unit(s) which will be offered to any non-owner for occupancy, or to let, or to hire for dwelling purposes must register their names and places of residence or usual places of business and the location of the premises regulated by this act with the Bangor Township Code Enforcement Officer and pay a rental registration fee to the Bangor Township Treasurer. The owner(s) must register within 60 days following any day on which any part of the premises is offered for occupancy. If the premises are managed or operated by an agent, the agent’s name and place of business shall be placed with the name of the owner in the registry (Property Maintenance Code 103.6.1 as amended).

Annual fees for rental housing facilities must be paid to the Township Treasurer.

Rental units subject under the Property Maintenance Code shall not be occupied unless a certificate of compliance has been issued by the Code Enforcement Officer. The certificate of compliance shall be issued only following inspection of the premises except as provided in subsection 104.7.3.

The owner of rental units subject to registry shall apply for certificate of compliance. The Code Official may authorize the issuance of temporary certificates without inspection for those premises in which there are no violations or record and shall issue such temporary certificates upon application in cases where inspections are not conducted within a reasonable time. Temporary certificates shall also be issued for premises with violations or record, whether existing before or after the effective date of this subsection, when the owner can show proof of having undertaken to correct such conditions, or when Bangor Township has been authorized to make repairs, or when an owner rehabilitation plan has been accepted by the Court. An application for certificate shall be made when the owners, or any of them, enroll in the registry of owners and premises.