Planning & Zoning Information

Debra C. Sikorski, Assessor
517-437-6456 or dsikorski@cityofhillsdale.org

Dave Turnbull, Code Enforcement Administrator
517-437-6455 or dturnbull@cityofhillsdale.org Planning Icon

Planning Commission
The Planning Commission for the City of Hillsdale is a nine member board. Their duties include review of site plans for potential building projects, regulation of land use, zoning ordinance adoption and amendment, re-zoning requests, preparation of a Master Land Use Plan and review of capital projects. They meet regularly on the second Wednesday of every month at 7:00 AM at City Hall.

Site Plan petitions are required for submission of review by the Planning Commission, there is no application fee for the review and the applications are available below.

Re-zoning Applications must be initiated by 50% or more of the affected area property owners or by the Planning Commission. Requests for re-zoning must be submitted 21 days prior to the regular meeting to insure compliance with notification requirements. There is a $300.00 filing fee and must be submitted with the application available below.

Zoning Board of Appeals
The Zoning Board of Appeals is a seven member board. Their duties include review of non-conforming alterations, variance requests, temporary structure placement and requests for variance from the sign ordinance.

An application to the Zoning Board of Appeals is available below and must be accompanied with a filing fee of $300.00 and a completed application. They must meet within 30 days of the request to hear the appeal.

Zoning Permits
A zoning permit from the City of Hillsdale may be required prior to the issuance of a building permit by the Hillsdale County Inspection Department with the exception of a re-roof permit, which does not require a zoning permit.

A zoning permit is also required in the City of Hillsdale for the placement of non-permanent structures, fencing(including replacement of existing fencing), and placing or refacing of temporary or permanent signs. Zoning/Sign permit fees vary dependant upon project. The policy for temporary signs is available below.

The County building department is responsible for the administration of all construction, plumbing, electrical, mechanical and soil erosions permits. The County inspection department is located in the Courthouse Annex on the corner of McCollum and Broad Streets, 517-437-4130.

An application for a zoning or sign permit is available below.

Right of way permits may be required for any use or construction within or for access utilizing the the right of way. To find out if this permit is required for your project, please call the Department of Public Services at 517-437-6490.

Sidewalk Accessory and Café Policy
By allowing certain privately provided sidewalk amenities such as flower boxes and café tables and chairs to be placed in the public right-of-way in the Downtown, the City of Hillsdale seeks to recognize the charm, character, and sense of place that such items can help to create.

The Sidewalk Accessory and Café Policy is intended to encourage business and property owners in the Downtown B-2 District to utilize the space in front of their building or place of business for beautification and customer enjoyment while at the same time ensuring the provision of safe, ADA-compliant pedestrian routes. The policy and permit application can be found below.

Forms/Information