Covert Township (Van Buren County)
Covert Township (Van Buren County)
View Comprehensive List of Permits and Fee Schedule.
View Our Master Plan
View Our Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance.
View Our Zoning Map.
View Our County Drain Map.
View Our Flood Plain Map.
View Our Water District Map.
View Our Sanitary Sewer District Map.
View Current and Projected Internet Service Provider Map.
Connect to Van Buren County GIS.
Permits are issued to ensure all infrastructure in Covert Township are compliant with local, state and federal regulations and meet our community standards. If you are renovating, redeveloping or building something new, it is your responsibility to ensure you have the proper permits before you get started.
Not sure where to begin? Contact our zoning and building department at (269) 729-9244, [email protected].
A Zoning Permit must be approved before a Building Permit will be issued. Refer to the Zoning Permit Application for more details.
| PERMIT TYPE | WHERE TO SUBMIT | REVIEWING BODY / OFFICIAL | FEE STRUCTURE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zoning | SAFEbuilt, Inc PO BOX 190, Athens, MI 49011 [email protected] Fax: 269-729-9254 | Zoning Official Alton Neal Phone: 269-729-9244 Cell: 269-223-0970 [email protected] | Permit Fee: $100 |
Apply for a Building Permit if you are doing any structural work to a building, like major renovations, remodeling, new construction, adding more space or demolishing an existing structure. Additional environmental control approvals may also be required. Refer to the Building Permit Application for more details.
| PERMIT TYPE | WHERE TO SUBMIT | REVIEWING BODY / OFFICIAL | FEE STRUCTURE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building | SAFEbuilt, Inc PO BOX 190, Athens, MI 49011 [email protected] Fax: 269-729-9254 | Plan Reviewer & Building Official Chad Butler Phone: 269-729-9244 Cell: 970-652-6560 [email protected] | Admin Fee: $75 Reinspection Fee: $100 Permit Fee & Plan Review Fee to be calculated by Building Inspector. |
Building Guides
Residential Wood Deck Construction Guide
Decks & Porches
Pole Barns
Pools
Residential Additions
Residential Re-Roofing
Roofing Inspection Required
Apply for an Electrical Permit if you are installing components such as circuits, outlets, fixtures, certain appliances, or new electrical service. Refer to the Electrical Permit Application for more details.
| PERMIT TYPE | WHERE TO SUBMIT | REVIEWING BODY / OFFICIAL | FEE STRUCTURE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical | SAFEbuilt, Inc PO BOX 190, Athens, MI 49011 [email protected] Fax: 269-729-9254 | Electrical Inspector Chaunsey Hackenberg Phone: 269-729-9244 Cell: 269-998-3875 [email protected] | Admin Fee: $100 Reinspection Fee: $75 Permit Fee calculated per project details. |
Apply for a Mechanical Permit if you are installing equipment related to heating, cooling, ventilation or exhaustion. Refer to the Mechanical Permit Application for more details.
| PERMIT TYPE | WHERE TO SUBMIT | REVIEWING BODY / OFFICIAL | FEE STRUCTURE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical | SAFEbuilt, Inc PO BOX 190, Athens, MI 49011 [email protected] Fax: 269-729-9254 | Mechanical Inspector Walter DeVisser Phone: 269-729-9244 Cell: 269-427-7543 [email protected] | Admin Fee: $100 Reinspection Fee: $75 Permit Fee calculated per project details. |
Apply for a Mechanical Permit if you are installing equipment related to heating, cooling, ventilation or exhaustion. Refer to the Mechanical Permit Application for more details.
| PERMIT TYPE | WHERE TO SUBMIT | REVIEWING BODY / OFFICIAL | FEE STRUCTURE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbing | Michigan Department of LARA Bureau of Construction Codes P.O. Box 30255, Lansing, MI 48909 Phone: 517-241-9313 | Mechanical Inspector Walter DeVisser Phone: 269-729-9244 Cell: 269-427-7543 [email protected] | Admin Fee: $100 Reinspection Fee: $75 Permit Fee calculated per project details. |
A permit is required to connect to Covert Township’s water system. Covert Township is a retail customer of the South Haven Area Water and Sewer Authority (SHAWSA) for drinking water. An application and escrow deposit must first be made at Covert Township, then an additional application and fees must be made at the City of South Haven to establish an account and begin service. Refer to the application for permit to connect to Covert Township’s Water System for more information.
| PERMIT TYPE | WHERE TO SUBMIT | REVIEWING BODY / OFFICIAL | FEE STRUCTURE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Tap | Covert Township Office Manager, Laura Fogarty PO BOX 35, Covert, MI 49043 Phone: 269-764-5138 [email protected] | City of South Haven 1199 8th Ave, South Haven, MI 49090 Phone: (269) 637-0737 Fax: (269) 637-5319 [email protected] | Covert Twp: Escrow for Installation Costs: $5,000 City of South Haven: Water Buy In: $4,000 Inspection Fee: $50 Water Meter Fee: $1,200 |
A permit is required to connect to Covert Township’s municipal septic system. Refer to the Sanitary Sewer Permit Application for more information.
| PERMIT TYPE | WHERE TO SUBMIT | REVIEWING BODY / OFFICIAL | FEE STRUCTURE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanitation Sewer Connection | Covert Township Office Manager, Laura Fogarty PO BOX 35, Covert, MI 49043 Phone: 269-764-5138 [email protected] | Fleis & Vandenbrink OPERATIONS AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, INC. | Tap In Fee: $2,000 Admin Fee: $50 |
This application is for developments that require a request for rezoning, master plan/ordinance amendment, special land use, variance or to appeal a decision on an existing application. Detailed site plans, planned unit development, site condominiums and subdivision plats may also utilize this application. A pre-application meeting with the zoning administrator is encouraged. Refer to the Land Development Application for more information.
| PERMIT TYPE | WHERE TO SUBMIT | REVIEWING BODY / OFFICIAL | FEE STRUCTURE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Land Development: – Rezoning of Property – Conditional Rezoning of Property – Ordinance Amendment | Covert Township Office Manager, Laura Fogarty PO BOX 35, Covert, MI 49043 Phone: 269-764-5138 [email protected] | Per Sec. 21.02 – 21.05 of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance Planning Commission: Reviews and gives a recommendation to the Township Board after holding a public hearing. Covert Township Board: Gives final decision. | Application Fee: $200 Escrow Deposit: $1900 |
| Land Development: Master Plan Amendment | Covert Township Office Manager, Laura Fogarty PO BOX 35, Covert, MI 49043 Phone: 269-764-5138 [email protected] | Planning Commission: Reviews and gives a recommendation to the Township Board after holding a public hearing. Covert Township Board: Gives final decision. | Application Fee: $200 Escrow Deposit: $900 |
| Land Development: Special Land Use | Covert Township Office Manager, Laura Fogarty PO BOX 35, Covert, MI 49043 Phone: 269-764-5138 [email protected] | Per Sec. 29.02 of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance Planning Commission: Reviews and gives a recommendation to the Township Board after holding a public hearing. Covert Township Board: Gives final decision. | Application Fee: $200 Escrow Deposit: $400 |
| Land Development: Planned Unit Development | Covert Township Office Manager, Laura Fogarty PO BOX 35, Covert, MI 49043 Phone: 269-764-5138 [email protected] | Per Sec. 16.06 of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance Zoning Official: Conducts site plan and application review to present to Planning Commission. Planning Commission: Further reviews and holds a public hearing to make a recommendation to the Township Board. Covert Township Board: Gives final decision. | Application Fee: $200 Escrow Deposit: $2400 |
| Land Development: Detailed Site Plan | Covert Township Office Manager, Laura Fogarty PO BOX 35, Covert, MI 49043 Phone: 269-764-5138 [email protected] | Zoning Official: Conducts site plan and application review to present to Planning Commission. Planning Commission: Further reviews and holds a public hearing to make a recommendation to the Township Board. Covert Township Board: Gives final decision. | Application Fee: $200 Escrow Deposit: $900 |
This application is to request the division of a land parcel.
| PERMIT TYPE | WHERE TO SUBMIT | REVIEWING BODY / OFFICIAL | FEE STRUCTURE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Land Development: – Mineral Removal – Environmental Sensitive Land Use Permit (ESL) | Covert Township Office Manager, Laura Fogarty PO BOX 35, Covert, MI 49043 Phone: 269-764-5138 [email protected] | Per Sec. 21.03 & 21.13 of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance. Zoning Administrator: Reviews and gives a recommendation to the Township Board. Township Board: Gives final decision. | Application Fee: $200 Escrow Deposit: $900 |
| Land Development: Zoning Variance or Appeal | Covert Township Office Manager, Laura Fogarty PO BOX 35, Covert, MI 49043 Phone: 269-764-5138 [email protected] | Per Sec. 28.07 of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance. Zoning Board of Appeals: Gives final decision. | Application Fee: $200 Escrow Deposit: $1400 |
| Land Development: Temporary Special Land Use | Covert Township Office Manager, Laura Fogarty PO BOX 35, Covert, MI 49043 Phone: 269-764-5138 [email protected] | Per Sec. 24.11 of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance. Zoning Board of Appeals: Gives final decision. | Application Fee: $200 Escrow Deposit: $650 |
| Land Development: – Site Condominium – Subdivision Plat A pre-application meeting with the zoning administrator is strongly encouraged. | Covert Township Office Manager, Laura Fogarty PO BOX 35, Covert, MI 49043 Phone: 269-764-5138 [email protected] | Per Sec. 17.01 of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance. Planning Commission: Further reviews and holds a public hearing to make a recommendation to the Township Board. Township Board: Gives final decision. | Application Fee: $200 Escrow Deposit: $2400 |
| Land/Parcel Division | Covert Township Office Manager, Laura Fogarty PO BOX 35, Covert, MI 49043 Phone: 269-764-5138 [email protected] | Zoning Official: Alton Neal Phone: 269-729-9244 Cell: 269-223-0970 [email protected] Township Assessor: Laureen Birdsall Phone: 616-690-2525 [email protected] | Application Fee: $125 Van Buren County Certification Fee: $5 |
This application is to request the combination of two or more parcels into one tax ID.
| PERMIT TYPE | WHERE TO SUBMIT | REVIEWING BODY / OFFICIAL | FEE STRUCTURE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Land/Parcel Combination | Covert Township Office Manager, Laura Fogarty PO BOX 35, Covert, MI 49043 Phone: 269-764-5138 [email protected] | Zoning Official Township Assessor | Application Fee: $125 |
This list is not exhaustive and is subject to change.
VBCRC issues permits for any driveway (new and modified), road right-of-way projects, events, signage or detour within the county’s jurisdiction. Visit VBCRC’s website for more information.
VBCDC issues permits related to county drains. This includes modifications, connections and utilities crossing or running parallel to a county drain. Visit VBCDC’s website for more information.
The VBCDC is also the state’s designated agency for the Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Act, and therefore reviews permit applications for any earth change which disturbs one or more acres of land or if the earth change is within 500 feet of a lake, stream, wetland or County Drain.
The County Health Department covers a variety of environmental health permitting. This includes water and septic systems, food inspections, hazardous waste, campground inspections, body art facilities and more. Visit the Van Buren/Cass County Health Department website for more information.
EGLE protects Michigan’s environment and public health by managing air, water, land and energy resources via environmental permitting. Visit EGLE’s website for more information.