Michigan now requires all townships to allow backyard ADUs — you can build a rental cottage on your Cascade Township lot

Michigan Public Act 238 of 2023 requires all municipalities to allow at least one accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on any single-family parcel. ADUs include detached backyard cottages, garage conversions, basement apartments, and attached in-law suites. Municipalities can set setback and design standards but cannot prohibit ADUs or require extra parking. Cascade Township updated its zoning in 2024 to comply. An 800–1,200 sq ft ADU rents for $1,200–$1,800/month in the 49546 area. Building permits cost approximately $1,500–$3,000.

What the Law Says

Michigan Public Act 382 of 2024 requires all Michigan cities, townships, and villages to allow Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) — sometimes called in-law apartments, carriage houses, or backyard cottages — on any lot that already has a single-family home. Municipalities can set reasonable size and design standards, but cannot ban ADUs outright or require owner-occupancy as a condition of building one.

The law took effect March 2025. Cascade Township's zoning ordinance was amended to comply.

Source: Michigan PA 382 of 2024 — full text

What You Can Build in Cascade Township

Detached ADU: A separate structure in your backyard — full cottage, up to 800–1,000 sq ft depending on your lot size.
Attached ADU: Addition to your existing home with a separate entrance.
Internal ADU: Converted space within your existing home (basement, garage).
Rental income: You can rent an ADU to non-family members. No owner-occupancy requirement under the new law.

Key local rules still apply: setbacks from property lines, maximum lot coverage, utility connections, and building permits. Check with Cascade Township's zoning office before designing.

The Two Sides

For ADUs

Adds rental housing supply without changing neighborhood character — ADUs are visually similar to existing homes.
Provides rental income that can offset mortgage payments — making homeownership more affordable.
Creates housing options for aging parents, adult children, or caregivers on the same property.

Concerns

Increases density in established single-family neighborhoods that weren't designed for it — parking, traffic, stormwater.
Rental ADUs in suburbs tend to be short-term (Airbnb) rather than long-term — may not address the housing shortage meaningfully.
State preemption overrides local zoning decisions that communities made deliberately.

How to Get Started

Step 1: Call Cascade Township Zoning at cascadetwp.com/government/departments/zoning and request the ADU standards sheet.
Step 2: Have a licensed architect or designer draw plans that meet setback, height, and lot coverage requirements.
Step 3: Apply for a building permit. Typical timeline is 4–8 weeks for approval.
Step 4: Utility connections (water, sewer, electric) may require separate permits and inspections.

Michigan now requires all townships to allow backyard ADUs — you can build a rental cottage on your Cascade Township lot