Colon Township
Short-term & long-term rental regulations, fees, and investor resources for St. Joseph County, Michigan.
Area Overview
Colon Township is a rural civil township in St. Joseph County, Michigan, sitting between Three Rivers and Coldwater along the Sturgeon Lake and Palmer Lake chain.[1] The township surrounds (but is governmentally separate from) the Village of Colon, the self-styled “Magic Capital of the World” and home to Abbott’s Magic Co. and the annual Magic Get-Together convention each August.[2] That magic-week tourist surge plus year-round lakefront housing on Sturgeon and Palmer Lakes is what makes Colon Township a small but real rental market.
The township office at 132 N. Blackstone Ave handles assessing, taxes, clerk services, and permits, and is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.[3] Ordinance enforcement and building inspections are contracted out to SAFEbuilt, operating from the Athens office at (269) 729-9244.[4] As of this writing, Colon Township does not publish a stand-alone short-term rental ordinance, and there is no township-level rental registration or landlord-licensing program. Investors and owners should verify use permissions directly with the zoning administrator before buying or marketing a property as a rental.
Recent zoning enforcement in the township has focused on non-residential uses on residential parcels, most visibly the multi-year Farrand Hall event-venue litigation that began in 2023.[5] Buyers should expect the township to enforce special-use and parking requirements even where they are not actively enforced elsewhere in the county.
Quick Status Summary
Colon Township has no published short-term rental ordinance and does not operate a stand-alone STR registration program. The full zoning ordinance is not posted online, so by-district permissions for transient rentals must be confirmed directly with the township office or SAFEbuilt before buying or listing a property as an STR.
Long-term rentals are permitted in Colon Township under standard township zoning, and there is no township-level rental registration or annual inspection program. State landlord-tenant law applies, evictions go through St. Joseph County District Court (3B), and properties on private septic must comply with the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency Environmental Health Code.
Rental Regulations
Does Colon Township Regulate Short-Term Rentals?
No stand-alone short-term rental ordinance for Colon Township is published on the township website or in any public ordinance database as of May 2026.[6] The Forms & Permits page lists tax exemption forms, a land division application, and a general permit list, but no STR registration form or affidavit.[7] Because the full zoning ordinance text is not posted online, the only way to confirm whether a specific parcel can legally be used as an STR is to request a copy from the township office or speak directly with the zoning administrator and SAFEbuilt code-enforcement office.[4]
Honesty note: The absence of a public STR ordinance is not the same as STRs being permitted by right. Many rural Michigan township zoning ordinances classify transient or tourist rentals as a separate commercial use that is not allowed in standard residential districts. Verify before you list.
Where Are STRs Allowed (Zoning)?
This requires parcel-level verification. The Colon Township zoning ordinance is not posted as a public PDF; investors must request a copy from the township office or visit during open hours (Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.) to review.[3] For any specific parcel, look up the zoning district on the St. Joseph County FetchGIS parcel viewer, then call the zoning administrator at (269) 432-3371 to confirm whether short-term rental is a permitted, special-use, or prohibited use in that district.[8][3]
Active zoning enforcement in the township in recent years has centered on the Farrand Hall event venue, where the township sued the property owner over zoning and parking violations beginning in 2023.[5] The lawsuit is not about STRs, but it shows the township will pursue enforcement against non-conforming uses on residential parcels.
Registration, Permits & Fees
There is no Colon Township STR registration program and no published STR permit fee.[6] Building permits for any structural work or accessory dwelling additions route through SAFEbuilt’s Athens office at (269) 729-9244 or athensmi@safebuilt.com; SAFEbuilt also fields ordinance-enforcement questions on behalf of the township.[4] The township maintains a general permit list that covers items like land division, deferment of summer taxes, and disabled-veteran exemption.[9]
For sleeping-room counts above what the existing septic system was designed for, a permit from the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency is required before adding bedrooms or expanding capacity.[10]
Septic, Wells & Operating Requirements
Most parcels in Colon Township are served by private on-site septic systems and private water wells rather than municipal utilities. The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency (BHSJ) regulates both, and any rental increasing occupancy beyond the original design load needs the system re-evaluated and permitted before use.[10][11] BHSJ’s Environmental Health Code spells out the design standards, required setbacks, and the inspection process for new and altered systems.[12]
The St. Joseph County office of BHSJ can be reached at (269) 273-2161 ext. 233 for septic and well permits.[10] Failed septic systems on rental properties are one of the most common reasons a township will move to halt rental operations.
How to Verify Rules for a Specific Property
Use this five-step verification path before buying or listing any Colon Township property as an STR:
- Pull the parcel on the St. Joseph County FetchGIS viewer to confirm the zoning district, parcel size, and frontage.[8]
- Call the township office at (269) 432-3371 and ask the clerk or supervisor for a copy of the zoning ordinance section governing your district.[3]
- Email or call SAFEbuilt Athens (athensmi@safebuilt.com, (269) 729-9244) to confirm whether transient rental is a permitted, special-use, or prohibited use, and to check for any open ordinance-enforcement file on the parcel.[4]
- Verify septic capacity and well status with BHSJ before increasing sleeping-room counts.[10][11]
- Review Township Board agendas and minutes for any pending STR ordinance discussion.[13]
Are Long-Term Rentals Allowed in Colon Township?
Yes. Long-term rentals are permitted in Colon Township under standard township zoning, and there is no published township-level rental registration, landlord licensing, or annual inspection program.[6][7] The township office at 132 N. Blackstone Ave handles routine inquiries Monday-Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; ordinance and code-enforcement questions are handled by SAFEbuilt in Athens.[3][4]
Standard Michigan landlord-tenant law applies, including security-deposit limits, notice-to-quit timing, and habitability obligations under PA 348 of 1972.
Where LTRs Are Allowed (Zoning)?
This requires parcel-level verification. The Colon Township zoning ordinance is not posted as a public PDF; investors must request a copy from the township office.[3] Under standard southwest Michigan township zoning patterns, single-family long-term rentals are typically a permitted use in residential and lake-residential districts, while multi-family rentals (duplex, triplex) are usually restricted to multi-family or mixed-use districts. Confirm the specific district designation on the St. Joseph County FetchGIS viewer and then verify the use category by phone.[8][3]
Specific by-district permissions are not available in machine-readable form online. For any specific property, verify via the FetchGIS link below and confirm with the zoning administrator at (269) 432-3371.
Inspections, Septic & Safety
Colon Township does not perform rental-property inspections and does not require an annual safety certificate.[6] Building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits for new construction or alterations are issued by SAFEbuilt out of the Athens office.[4] On-site septic systems and private wells (which most township parcels rely on) are inspected and permitted by the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency.[10][11]
Landlords are still bound by Michigan’s general habitability standards (PA 348 of 1972) and by smoke- and carbon-monoxide-alarm requirements under the Michigan Building Code. Any structural change that affects bedroom count should be permitted and the septic re-evaluated.
Tenant Rights & Eviction Resources
Eviction proceedings for Colon Township properties go through Michigan’s 3B District Court, which sits at the St. Joseph County Courthouse in Centreville. Tenants and landlords are both governed by the Truth in Renting Act (PA 454 of 1978), the Landlord-Tenant Relationships Act (PA 348 of 1972), and the Michigan summary-proceedings statute (MCL 600.5701 et seq.).[14] Self-help eviction is prohibited; landlords must obtain a court order.
For tenants needing legal help, Lakeshore Legal Aid covers St. Joseph County and is the primary nonprofit referral. The St. Joseph County government site has the courts directory and filing-fee schedule.[14]
How to Verify Rules for a Specific Property
The same five-step verification path applies to long-term rentals:
- Pull the parcel on FetchGIS to confirm zoning district, parcel size, and frontage.[8]
- Call the township office at (269) 432-3371 to confirm the district-level rules.[3]
- Confirm with SAFEbuilt Athens that no open enforcement file exists.[4]
- Verify septic and well capacity with BHSJ before adding bedrooms.[10][11]
- Review St. Joseph County property records and tax search to confirm assessed use and any open code citations.[15]
Special Regulations
Two situational rules investors should know before buying in Colon Township.
Active Zoning Enforcement (Farrand Hall Case)
The township has been in active litigation since 2023 against Farrand Hall, an event venue accused of operating without the special-use permits required by the zoning ordinance.[5] The dispute is not about short-term or long-term rentals, but it signals that Colon Township will pursue enforcement against non-conforming commercial uses on residential parcels, including event venues, large-group gatherings, and parking overflow onto neighboring property. STR operators planning to host events or wedding parties should treat this as a real risk and confirm any commercial-use overlay with SAFEbuilt before listing.
Lake-Front Properties & the Township Lake Board
Sturgeon Lake and Palmer Lake (the two main rental-eligible water bodies in the township) are managed under a township Lake Board chaired by Jim Borgert, which meets the second Saturday of each month from April through September.[16] The Lake Board does not regulate rental use directly, but it controls assessments for weed treatment, dam maintenance, and shoreline issues that can affect a rental property’s operating costs. Anyone buying lake-frontage as a rental should review the current lake-board special-assessment schedule and any active dam or shoreline projects.
Official Resources
Property Tax Treatment
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Buying, selling, or investing in Colon Township?
I help investors and homeowners navigate the rural-township rental landscape across St. Joseph County, including the verification work needed where ordinances aren't posted online. Let's talk through your specific Sturgeon Lake, Palmer Lake, or in-village parcel before you make an offer.
Sources & Downloads
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1Colon Township, Michigan — Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colon_Township,_Michigan2020 population 3,325; geography between Three Rivers and ColdwaterVerified: 2026-05-17
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2Colon, Michigan — Magic Capital of the World context https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colon,_MichiganAbbott's Magic Co. and annual Magic Get-TogetherVerified: 2026-05-17
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3Colon Township Official Site (Home) https://www.colontownship.org/Address, phone, office hoursVerified: 2026-05-17
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4Colon Township Forms & Permits — SAFEbuilt Athens Contact https://www.colontownship.org/forms-permitsSAFEbuilt Athens office handles ordinances; township handles permitsVerified: 2026-05-17
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5Watershed Voice — Farrand Hall zoning litigation coverage https://watershedvoice.com/2025/08/07/parking-dispute-highlights-ongoing-tensions-between-farrand-hall-and-colon-township/Active 2023-2025 zoning enforcement case against event venueVerified: 2026-05-17
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6Colon Township — no STR ordinance found https://www.colontownship.org/forms-permitsForms page has no STR registration form or affidavitVerified: 2026-05-17
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7Township Permit List (PDF) https://www.colontownship.org/_files/ugd/0fdb88_1f9193ad950142feae6ced3d00267fa0.pdfTownship-issued permit categoriesVerified: 2026-05-17
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8St. Joseph County FetchGIS Parcel Viewer https://app.fetchgis.com/?currentMap=stjoCounty parcel and zoning lookup toolVerified: 2026-05-17
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9Colon Township Permit List https://www.colontownship.org/_files/ugd/0fdb88_1f9193ad950142feae6ced3d00267fa0.pdfGeneral permit referenceVerified: 2026-05-17
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10BHSJ — Sewage Disposal Systems https://www.bhsj.org/programs/36Septic permitting and inspection for St. Joseph CountyVerified: 2026-05-17
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11BHSJ — Water Wells & Testing https://bhsj.org/programs/35Well permits and water testingVerified: 2026-05-17
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12BHSJ Environmental Health Code (PDF) https://bhsj.org/uploads/resource/attachment/113/EnvironmentalHealthCode91.pdfTri-county septic and well design standardsVerified: 2026-05-17
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13Colon Township — Agenda & Minutes https://www.colontownship.org/file-shareBoard agendas and meeting minutes archiveVerified: 2026-05-17
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14St. Joseph County Government — Courts & Records https://stjosephcountymi.gov/County government, courts, and recordsVerified: 2026-05-17
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15St. Joseph County Property Records & Tax Search https://stjosephcountymi.gov/government/geographic-information-systems-gis/property-records-tax-search/Tax and property record lookupsVerified: 2026-05-17
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16Colon Township Lake Board (Sturgeon/Palmer Lakes) https://www.colontownshiplakeboard.com/aboutLake-board governance and meeting scheduleVerified: 2026-05-17