The Department of Community Development (Office of Planning and Zoning) is charged with the responsibility of implementing land use and development policies and the enforcement of land use and zoning ordinances for the unincorporated portions of Clinton County.  The department staffs the Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals and participates with other committees involved in land use planning and related activities. 

The department is also actively involved with County and Township officials and citizenry in the development and implementation of sound land use and economic development policy that will encourage residential development, business growth, industrial development and agricultural open space preservation within the County.

The Clinton County Comprehensive Development Plan was adopted during the fall of 2002.  The Clinton County Zoning Ordinance was adopted on May 21, 2005.  The Comprehensive Plan was updated and approved by the Clinton County Planning Commission on October 9, 2008 and adopted by the Board of Commissioners on October 28, 2008.

Meeting Schedule, Agendas and Minutes

Planning Commission

Regular meetings of the Clinton County Planning Commission are held the 2nd Thursday of every month at 7:00 p.m. in the County Board of Commissioners room, 2nd floor of the Clinton County Courthouse, St. Johns, MI

Chairperson:  Shannon Schlegel, Vice-Chair:  Mark Simon, Secretary:  Kelly Chadwick

Members: Earl Barks, Robert Kudwa, Jamie Clover Adams (B.O.C. Representative), Patti Jandernoa

Zoning Board of Appeals

Regular meetings of the Clinton County Zoning Board of Appeals are held the 3rd Tuesday of every month at 7:00 p.m. in the County Board of Commissioners room, 2nd floor of the Clinton County Courthouse, St. Johns, MI

Chairperson: Gail Watkins, Vice-Chair:  Jim McClelland, Secretary:  James Wieber

Members: Mark Simon, James Ostrowski

Planning & Zoning Applications

 TitleDescriptionSizeCategory
Administrative Site Plan ReviewApplication includes minor non-residential additions, sign permits and others as defined by zoning ordinance.24.16 KBPDF
Amendment to Zoning OrdinancePetition for amendment to the Zoning Ordinance/Map.35.42 KBPDF
Appeal ApplicationRequest to appeal any order, requirement, decision or determination made by any administrative zoning official.37.00 KBPDF
Commercial Site Plan ReviewApplication for commercial site plan review.24.08 KBPDF
Residential Site Plan ReviewResidential including multi-family apartments and condominiums. Not plats or site condominiums.25.85 KBPDF
Sign PermitApplication for a permit to erect or replace a sign.25.85 KBPDF
Special Land Use ApplicationApplication for special land use not already defined.32.20 KBPDF
Variance RequestApplication to request variances from lot area and width regulations, yard and depth regulations, etc.43.17 KBPDF