Regardless of whether you have obtained a burn permit or not, you are legally responsible for ANY fire you start. The information provided below is not all inclusive, but is meant to address the most common issues encountered with the Michigan open burning laws.

View the full Michigan Open Burning Guide

Submit Online or call the Covert Township Fire Department to obtain a burn permit 269-764-1768.
You must have a burning permit issued to you by the Covert Township Fire Department for any burning not being done in an approved container (burn barrel).
Grass clippings, leaves, brush, trees, and logs are the ONLY items that may be burned in a pile on the ground.
Persons from a private dwelling may burn solid waste in an approved container (burn barrel), providing it does not create a smoke or odor nuisance.
An approved container (burn barrel) is constructed of metal or masonry with a metal covering device with openings no larger than ¾ inch.

Prohibited Burning

Commercial or industrial waste may never be burned.
Structures (such as houses, barns, and sheds) may not be burned for the purpose of demolition.
Construction and demolition waste may never be burned.
Any fires, including legal burns, that create a smoke or odor nuisance will need to be extinguished.

For any questions, comments or concerns, please contact the Covert Township Fire Department at 269-764-1768.

A driveway is the landowner’s access point to their property. Driveway permits are the property owner & responsibility to obtain and require approval before any construction or change in land use occurs.

Driveway Permits are issued by the Van Buren County Road Commission. More information can be found on the Van Buren County Road Commission website.

For any questions or concerns, please contact the Van Buren County Road Commission office at (269) 674-8011.

An operator of a food truck or food trailer serving or preparing to serve food for sale and/or human consumption within Covert Township is required to adhere to local ordinance and state law for food service, and must obtain permits from the Covert Township Fire Department prior to service. [NFPA, 1:1.12.8(a)] *

Helpful Definitions

Food Truck – shall mean a self-propelled structure with motor in which food is prepared and served through a window on the truck. Food trucks do not have interior seating. Food trucks supplying seating under a tent or canopy or within a portable structure shall also be subject to the Covert Township Portable Structure Ordinance if one has been enacted.

Food Trailer –shall mean a portable structure on wheels which is not self-propelled and is capable of being towed in which food is prepared, served and sold through a window on the trailer. Food trailers do not have interior seating. Food trailers supplying seating under a tent or canopy or within a portable structure shall also be subject to the Covert Township Portable Structure Ordinance if one has been enacted.

Local Ordinances Governing Food Trucks and Trailers

*Covert Township adopted via ordinance the NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION (“NFPA”) UNIFORM FIRE CODE. View Fire Code

View the full Ordinance regulating Mobile Food Trucks and Trailers : Ord. No. 107 – Mobile Food Trucks And Trailer Fire Safety Requirements

View Mobile Food Trucks and Trailer Fire Safety Permit Application.

For any questions or concerns, please contact the Covert Fire Inspector, Officer Jason Daniels, at [email protected], or call the Covert Police Department (269) 764-8100.

Per Ordinance No 19, no person, association, partnership or corporation shall conduct a garage/rummage sale within Covert Township without having first procured a garage sale permit from the Township, for which a license fee in the sum of $3.00 shall be paid.

Any person, association, partnership, or corporation may not conduct a garage sale for a period of more than three consecutive days and may not obtain more than three licenses within any 12-month period.

View full Ordinance regulating Garage Sale Permits: Ord. No. 19 – Garage Sales And Rummage Sales

Garage Sale Permit Application

For any questions or concerns, please contact Laura Fogarty, Office Manager, at [email protected] or (269) 764-5138.

Ordinance No. 5 regulates the licensing and control of large numbers of people in outdoor assemblies of more than 300 persons in attendance. The application for license to conduct an outdoor assembly must be made in writing at least 60 days prior to date of proposed assembly.

On receipt by the Clerk, copies of the Application shall be forwarded to the Chief Law Enforcement and Health Officers for the Township and County, the State Fire Marshall, and to such other appropriate officials as the Clerk deems necessary. Such officer and officials shall review and investigate matters relevant to the application and within twenty days of receipt therefore shall report their findings and recommendations to the Township Board. Within thirty days of the filing of the Application, the Township Board shall issue set conditions prerequisite to the issuance of, or deny a license.

View full Ordinance regulating Outdoor Assemblies: Ord. No. 05 – Outdoor Assemblies

Outdoor Assemblies License Application.

For any questions or concerns, please contact Laura Fogarty, Office Manager, at [email protected] or (269) 764-5138.

Covert Township is a retail water customer of South Haven Area Water and Sewer Authority (SHAWSA).

For questions on your existing service and/or billing, please contact the City of South Haven, (269) 637-0710, [email protected].

All new water service for new and existing developments must complete and sign the Water Service Application, pay a $5,000 escrow deposit, and receive a stake at the Covert Township Hall.

An escrow account shall be established to cover all expenses incurred by Covert Township necessary for the administration of the application and installation of the water tap per the application request and Water Service Ordinance No. 61. The customer will then contact the City of South Haven to establish and account and initiate the service connection.

THE CITY OF SOUTH HAVEN WILL CHARGE*
Water Buy In Fee $4,000
Inspection Fee $50
Water Meter Fee $1,200
*Current rates are subject to change.

View full Ordinance regulating Water Service Connections: Ord. No. 61 – Water And Sewer Service To New & Existing Developments

Application for Permit to Connect to Covert Township Water System.