Code Enforcement

Code Enforcement Officer Aaron Hale - Phone (989) 463-8356
See also our Rental Housing Inspections page

Fire Pit Regulations

Fire Pit Example Michigan law prohibits residents of cities with populations over 5,000 from using a fire pit within city limits that allows combustible materials directly on the ground. The pit must be elevated above the ground. For a fire pit to conform with this law the fire box, or location where combustibles are burnt, must be raised at least six inches above the ground. This gap must be either open air or a noncombustible material such as concrete or fire brick. A great example of this is metal fire pits on legs sold by many hardware and big box stores.

Cooking is permitted, but must follow the same guidelines. The smoke from an outdoor fire or cooking cannot bother the neighbors. The police can be called and can issue a ticket or a warning. It is a good idea to speak with your neighbor if you think the smoke may cause a problem.

Before having a fire it is recommended that you consult the State of Michigan DNR's daily issued Fire Risk Rating for our area. If the daily fire rating is high, very high, or extreme (yellow, orange or red), please consider waiting until a day when the issued fire rating is very low, low or moderate. A summary of Fire Risk Ratings is provided by the USDA.

If you are interested in constructing your own backyard fire pit that conforms to state law, there are a number of ways to approach your design. The key factor is ensuring that your pit includes a non-flammable barrier of at least six inches between the bottom of the fire box and the ground surface. This material must not have a high heat conductivity. A base constructed out of metal would not meet this standard as it readily conducts the heat of the fire to the ground. It is recommended that the six inch gap come from open air, such as a pit on legs, or from concrete or fire brick. The fire must also be contained on all sides by a nonflammable material, though metal is permissible for this purpose. No part of your fire pit should be constructed of wood or other flammable materials. There are a number of DIY guides available to create safe fire pits that meet the criteria above, such as this one from The Spruce. The key to a good design is making sure that the gap between the ground and the bottom of the fire box is air, concrete, or fire brick.

Michigan Fire Code (307.4) requires that small recreational fires in approved containers be located no closer than 15 feet from any structure.

City of Alma Fence Regulations

White Vinyl Fence We are often asked if a permit is required to install a fence within the city. A permit is not required. However, there are rules governing how and where a fence is installed.

A fence may be installed up to the property line of a lot. However, we strongly recommend setting the fence back five feet to allow you access to maintain both sides of your fence without trespassing on neighboring property. If you are unsure of where your property line lies, please contact a licensed surveyor to survey your lot and certify property lines.
If a fence has a good side and a bad side, you must install the fence so that the good side faces outward towards the neighboring property.
A fence may be no taller than six feet in the side and rear yard. A fence may be no taller than three feet in the front yard. See this diagram identifying the yard areas of a city lot.
A fence must be constructed of approved fencing material. This generally means a fence must be constructed of masonry, treated wood, vinyl or chain link.
Once installed, a fence must be maintained from damage and wear from age, weather and other damage.

Placement and Use of Real Estate, Political and Garage Sale Signs

Garage Sale Sign Sign Regulations
City of Alma Code of Ordinances
Section 60-237 Exempt Signs
The following signs are specifically exempt from the sign permit requirements, but are subject to
the following regulations and standards:

Political signs. Temporary political campaign signs announcing candidates seeking public political office and other election issues pertinent thereto shall be permitted up to a total area of eight square feet for each sign in a residential zone and 32 square feet in a commercial or industrial zone. These signs shall be confined within private property and shall not encroach into the visibility triangle at street intersections. These signs may be displayed 60 days prior to and seven days after the election for which intended.

Garage Sale Signs: Provided that the signs comply with the following regulations:
1. A garage sale sign will be allowed between the curb and sidewalk only in front of the dwelling
where the sale is taking place.
2. Garage sale signs may be allowed behind the sidewalk or property line with permission of the
property owner.
3. The sign shall not exceed eight square feet in area and in no way obstruct the vision of vehicle
traffic.
4. The signs shall not be attached to any tree or utility pole in the road right-of-way.
5. All signs shall be removed immediately upon closing of garage sale.
6. Any signs found in the road right-of-way or in violation of any of the above will be removed
without notice.

Real estate signs.: Real estate signs in residential districts, which are freestanding (such as lawn signs) or wall-mounted signs offering an open house on the premises or offering the premises on which they are located "for sale" or "for rent," provided that there shall not be more than one such sign per parcel, except that on a corner parcel two signs, one facing each street, shall be permitted. Such signs in residential districts shall not exceed eight square feet in area, and no freestanding sign shall project higher than six feet above normal grade. Such signs shall be removed within 15 days after sale or rental of a property. Signage is not allowed in public right of way. Real estate signs in nonresidential districts, which are freestanding or wall-mounted signs offering the premises on which they are located "for sale" or "for rent," provided that there shall not be more than one such sign per parcel, except that on a corner parcel two signs, one facing each street, shall be permitted. Such signs in nonresidential districts shall not exceed 32 square feet in area per side. No freestanding real estate sign shall project higher than eight feet above normal grade, and shall be setback a minimum of ten feet from the property line. No wall mounted real estate sign shall be higher than ten feet above average grade. Such signs shall be removed within 30 days after sale or lease of a property, or in the case of rental property, 30 days after final occupancy has been issued to the entire development.

Yard Sale Regulations
City of Alma Code of Ordinances
Section 60-182 Yard Sales

The sale of goods on a residential parcel owned by the owner or occupant of the principal dwelling,
anywhere on the lot or parcel of land is permitted, provided that the duration of such sales shall not be for more than three (3) days at any one (1) time and such sales shall not occur more than two (2) times each calendar year.