Planning

During its Regular Meeting on August 19, 2026, the Watersmeet Township Board of Trustees finalized and approved language modifying the Watersmeet Township Zoning Ordinance. Specifically, Sections 3.02C(3), 6.01B(3)(4), and 6.02B(6).

The 30-day review period has ended, and the changes are final.  Copies of the ordinance are available the township office.

Click here to download Zoning Ordinance>

WATERSMEET TOWNSHIP ZONING ORDINANCE
NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO.08192026
AMENDING CERTAIN SECTIONS OF THE WATERSMEET TOWNSHIP ZONING ORDINANCE

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTIONS 3.02C, 6.01B AND 6.02B OF THE WATERSMEET TOWNSHIP ZONING ORDINANCE.

THE TOWNSHIP OF WATERSMEET ORDAINS:

1. The Township Board amends those sections of the Watersmeet Township Zoning Ordinance set forth below (see underlined, struck through, and renumbered sections).
2. Except as amended below, the Watersmeet Township Zoning Ordinance shall remain in full force and Any provision of said Zoning Ordinance in conflict with the below changes shall be of no further force or effect.
3. This amended ordinance shall take effect upon the expiration of 30 days after publication of the ordinance.

Adopted and approved by the Township Board of the Township of Watersmeet, Gogebic County, Michigan, on the 19th of August, 2026.

YVONNE CLARK, Township Supervisor
LAURA MANS, Township Clerk

STATE OF MICHIGAN  )
)ss
COUNTY OF GOGEBIC )

I hereby certify that the below Amended Ordinance of the Township of Watersmeet, Gogebic County, Michigan, was duly adopted by the Watersmeet Township Board at a regular meeting the 19th day of August, 2026 with the following votes:

LAURA MANS, Township Clerk

A copy of the ordinance amendment may be viewed on the township website at www.watersmeet.us or requested from the town clerk at the township office located at N4689 1st Street, Watersmeet, MI 49969 or by calling the clerk at 906-358-4501; Mon- Fri 9 am to 3 pm or by emailing her at townclerk@watersmeet.us

ORDINANCE NO. 08192026

3.02C – Accessory Uses

1. Accessory buildings, structures and incidental uses which do not alter the primary character of the District, but not including any additional structure for dwelling purposes either temporarily or otherwise
2. Keeping of domestic pets in reasonable numbers. No animal or animals shall constitute a nuisance to the neighborhood by reason of noise, odor, sanitary conditions, or trespass.
3. Storage of not more than one unoccupied trailer coach, one boat, and one trailer parked in a rear yard with due regard to yard requirements. The one boat and trailer restriction does not apply to small fishing craft normally used on small inland lakes

6.01B – R&F Properties Within the L-1 Lake Areas and L-2 Lake Areas Transition Zone

For the purpose of this Section 6.01 B, any property parcels located within or partially within a zone that extends 1,000 feet from the Ordinary High Water Mark (hereinafter referred to as “OHWM”) of any lake within the L-1 Lake Area district or the L-2 Lake Area District are classified as the L-1/L-2 Lake Area Transition Zone (hereinafter referred to as “Transition Zone”). The provisions of Section 6.02 shall not apply to property parcels located within or partially within the Transition Zone. Instead the following provisions shall apply to property parcels within or partially within the Transition Zone

1. Primary Uses Without Special Approval                                                                                                                                     REV. 01-27-2020
   a. One family residential structures
   a.1. Those one family residential structures of regular design (square or rectangle) located within 1,000 feet from the OHWM of any lake in the L1 or L2 lake areas shall have a minimum footprint of 750 square feet with all sides having a minimum of 20 feet measured from corner to corner of the main structure. Irregular designed residential structures, such as an octagon, would not have to meet the 20 foot sides, but would have to meet the 750 square foot footprint.
   a.2. Those one family residential structures located beyond 1,000 feet of the OHWM of any lake in the L-1 OR L-2 Lake Areas shall have a minimum finished living floor area of 201 square feet.
   c. Home occupations and professional offices as provided in Paragraph 3 of Section 3.01A.
   d. Hunting, fishing and trapping to the extent laws and regulations permit the aforementioned in the Transition Zone.
   e. Harvesting of the fruit, tubers and seeds of any native or wild plant or shrub to the extent permitted by laws or regulations.
   f. Production and/or management of trees on woodlots or forested land.
   g. Long term rental (twenty eight consecutive days or more) of single family dwelling.
2. Use by Special Approval as Provided by Section 7.09.                                                                                                                 REV. 02-04-2019
   a. Resorts
   b. Marinas
   c. Youth camps including lodge and sleeping quarters
   d. Restaurants
   e. Multiple family residential structures, for example; condominiums, timeshares and the like.
   f. Caretaker or guest houses which are not for rent or lease
   g. Roadside stands providing for the sale of goods provided that the location of the stand and the
   facilities for parking and the entry and exit from the Highway shall be approved by the County Road
   Commission as safe and adequate
   h. Public facilities to provide for public safety and fire protection
   i. Public parks and playgrounds including buildings or structures commonly associated with parks
   and playgrounds
   j. Short term rental (twenty seven days or less) of single family dwelling.
3. If a property parcel extends beyond the 1,000 ft. L-1/L-2 Area Transition on Zone, then the
   R&F provisions of section 6.02 shall apply at the 1,000 ft. from the OHWM of any lake within L-1 or
   L-2 Lake Area districts. This includes the minimum finished living floor area for a one family
   residential structure (dwelling), located in Schedule 7.01A. Additionally, the standards of 7.06
   apply.
4. Accessory Uses.                                                                                                                                                                                     REV. 10-18-2005
   Accessory building(s) or structure(s) customarily incidental to any primary use or Use by Special
   Approval but not including any dwelling or structure for dwelling purposes

6.02B Use by Special Approval, as provided by Section 7.09.
1. Junkyards (see also Section 7.07)
2. Refuse dumps.
3. Veterinary services and hospitals, including kennels.
4. Hydroelectric plants, dams and flowage areas.
5. Borrow pits and/or gravel pits.
6. Short term rental (twenty seven days or less) single family
                                                                                                                                                                                                                 REV. 10-18-2005

The Watersmeet Planning Commission has completed its 2025 annual report, as required under the Michigan Planning Enabling Act. This report provides an overview of the Commission’s activities over the past year, along with updates on ongoing planning efforts and recommendations for future actions.

The annual report serves several important purposes:

• Keeps the Township Board, staff, and the public informed on planning activities
• Improves communication between boards, commissions, and local government
• Helps identify upcoming priorities and potential budgeting needs
• Recognizes the time and dedication of Planning Commission members

Residents and interested parties are encouraged to review the report to stay informed about planning and development efforts within Watersmeet.

The full 2025 Annual Report can be viewed here>