The purpose of this district is to encourage the continued use of valuable farmland while accommodating rural estate types of residential development at a density that will maintain the overall rural character of the area. This district will provide a buffer between more intensive agricultural use and other more intensive residential use. These areas of the township will also define where public infrastructure improvements (sewer, water and new public roads) are not anticipated or feasible based upon density constraints.

The following buildings and structures and uses of parcels, lots, buildings and structures are permitted in this district:

a.

Single-family dwellings.

b.

A parcel may be used for general and specialized farming and agricultural activities, including, but not limited to, the raising or growing of crops, livestock, poultry and other farm animals, products and foodstuffs. Where an existing agricultural use is proposed for expansion it shall adhere to the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) Generally Accepted Agricultural Management Practices (GAAMPs). A new use shall meet the requirements for permitted or special uses as established in this ordinance.

c.

A parcel may be used and a building or structure may be located thereon for a riding academy or stable for the raising or keeping of horses, cattle, hogs, ponies, goats or other similar livestock whether for profit or pleasure upon a lot having an area not less than five acres at the point where the lot is at least 300 feet wide provided that the following requirements are met:

1.

Livestock animal. Two acres for the first animal and one additional acre for each animal thereafter.

2.

Fowl and rabbits. One acre per ten animals.

3.

No building or structure shall be located within 50 [feet] of any existing residence, yet fenced enclosures used for the quartering of said animals may be located along the property line.

d.

Family child care home.

e.

A parcel may be used for the growing, stripping and removal therefrom of sod provided that said lot or portion thereof shall be seeded after stripping by fall of the year in which it was stripped so as to reduce the actual potential erosion by water or wind.

f.

Outside storage of not more than a total of two recreational vehicles or boats provided that such units shall be completely within the side and rear yards.

g.

An accessory use, building(s) or structure(s).

h.

State licensed residential facilities other than adult foster care facilities licensed by a state agency for care and treatment of persons released from or assigned to adult correctional institutions.

i.

Home occupation.

j.

Roadside stand, provided all of the nursery stock or other agricultural products are raised on the premises where situated or in the vicinity.

(Ord. No. 7-2024, § 1, 11-14-2024)

The following buildings and structures and uses of parcels, lots, buildings and structures are permitted in this district subject to obtaining a special use permit as provided in article 10:

a.

A church, synagogue, cathedral, mosque, temple or other building used for public worship.

b.

Commercial kennel for the boarding of domesticated animals.

c.

Telecommunication tower as provided in section 10.27 of this ordinance.

d.

Planned unit residential development/residential cluster subdivision.

e.

Essential service structure as provided in section 10.18 of this ordinance.

f.

Special temporary uses.

(Ord. No. 7-2024, § 1, 11-14-2024)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 7-2024, § 1, adopted Nov. 14, 2024, amended the title of § 11.03 to read as herein set out. The former § 11.03 title pertained to conditional uses.

The following regulations shall apply in all RR—rural residential districts:

a.

Lot area. No building or structure shall be established on any lot less than two acres in area.

b.

Lot width. The minimum width shall be 200 feet.

c.

Lot coverage. The maximum lot coverage shall not exceed 20 percent.

d.

Minimum floor area per dwelling unit. The minimum first floor area for a one-story single-family dwelling shall be not less than 960 square feet.

e.

Yard and setback requirements.

1.

Front yard. Not less than 50 feet from the right-of-way line.

2.

Side yards. Least width of either yard shall not be less than 30 feet, except in the case of a corner lot where the side yard on the road or street shall not be less than 50 feet.

3.

Rear yard. Not less than 50 feet.

4.

The above requirements shall apply to every lot, building or structure.

f.

Height. The following height requirements shall apply in this district:

1.

For dwelling and nonfarm buildings and structures. No dwelling or nonfarm building or structure shall exceed a height of 2½ stories or 35 feet.

g.

Required off-street parking. As required in article 9.