Michago Beach Estates Building Committee and Bylaws

The purpose of the Building Committee is to review construction plans for new building within the jurisdiction of Michago Beach Estates (MBE) and to serve as the designee for the Board of Trustees’ approval of all proposed structures. A review of building plans for dwellings and accessory structures insures that they meet the building standards outlined in the MBE Bylaws. As designee for the Board, the Building Committee approves building plans and makes recommendations that protect the interests of homeowners and community shareholders from unforeseen development activities.

Building covenants that need to be followed are detailed in the MBE Bylaws Article VII, Sections 3 and 4 and listed below. Submitting building plans to the Building Committee, which typically includes the president and two appointees, should be done 30 days prior to any construction. Any building and other permits from Ocean County and Claybanks Townships should be obtained after receiving approval from the Building Committee.

Damages occurring to MBE roads, water system, or community property as the result of work performed during construction will be the responsibility of the property owner to repair or replace damaged infrastructure. If the property owner doesn’t repair or replace infrastructure in a timely manner, MBE will make the necessary repairs and invoice the property owner for the work needed to restore the effected MBE property.

Bylaw Covenants

Article VII - Section 3 – Land Use Restrictions

3.1 No trade, occupation, commercial venture or commercial activity of any kind shall be carried on within the jurisdiction of the Corporation. Provided, however, that owners of lots who may wish to rent their properties from time to time may do so, but “For Rent” signs shall not be displayed. Provided further that nothing herein shall prohibit the sale, listing for sale and display of “For Sale” signs of any lot within the jurisdiction of the Corporation

3.2 No parcel of land shall hereafter be divided, in any manner whatsoever, unless each of the resulting parcels shall after the division have at least twenty thousand (20,000) square feet of area and one hundred (100) feet of road frontage.

3.3 No parcel of land shall have erected, placed or permitted thereon any buildings except one (1) single family residence, which may be either year around or seasonal in nature. Provided that nothing in this paragraph 3.3 shall be construed as requiring the removal of existing structures. No structure shall be located within 10 feet of any parcel boundary line. Further, minimum yard setback from the road right-of-way shall be thirty (30) feet. Minimum rear yard setback shall be twenty (20) feet. Side yard setbacks shall be no less than ten (10) feet on either side and shall have a minimum side yard setback of twenty five (25) feet when adding both sideyard setbacks together.

3.4 No motor home, recreational house trailer, commercial vehicle, or non-residential trailer designed to be pulled behind a motor vehicle or similar conveyance shall be stored, either temporarily or permanently on any lot within the Corporation.

3.5 No parcel of land shall contain any accessory structure, such as a garage, or shed unless there is also a primary residential dwelling. All dwellings, whether site built or premanufactured shall have side elevations of at least 24 feet in length along any horizontal elevation.

3.6 A freestanding shed conforming to applicable codes may be used for sheltering vehicles and storing equipment. Sheds may not exceed 120 square feet base size, nor a height of seven (7) feet. Sheds shall not be located within ten (10) feed of any parcel boundary line. Construction of such enclosures shall be approved by the Board of Trustees.

3.7 Except as provided herein, no recreational trailer, self-propelled recreational or travel vehicle, tent, van, truck, camper, shed, garage, barn, or other outbuilding, or similar structure or vehicle, or any structure of temporary character, shall be used, occupied, or erected for temporary or permanent residential purposes. Provided further, that recreational or travel trailers, self-propelled vehicles, tents, and campers may be used for non-commercial temporary residence, not to exceed an aggregate of twenty (20) days in any calendar year, and not to exceed seven (7) consecutive days, unless a longer period is approved in writing and in advance by request to the Corporation’s Board of Trustees. Camping on the Community Beach or any other common property is prohibited.

3.8 No owner or occupant of any parcel of land, including the Community Beach, within the jurisdiction of the Corporation shall suffer, permit, or allow any activity that causes a nuisance to neighbors.

Section 4 – Building Requirements

4.1 No building, structure, fences, decks, hedges, septic or gas tanks shall be erected or placed upon the lands within the jurisdiction of the Corporation, nor any excavation, construction commenced thereon or in preparation therefore without the prior written consent of the Board of Trustees or their designate(s). The Board of Trustees, or its designate(s) shall not issue the consent herein above required unless the plans and specifications complete with needed land surveys for the proposed modification be submitted to them and upon review thereof it is found that the proposed modification conforms to all the requirements of these Bylaws. In addition upon request, required permits from Claybanks Township and other involved governmental agencies must be presented. Within thirty (30) days after receipt of the plans and specifications of the proposed modification, the Board of Trustees or its designated committee shall approve the proposed modification if consistent with the requirements of these Bylaws. Otherwise, the Board of Trustees shall reject the proposed modification specifying the section(s) of these Bylaws to which said modification must be in conformance.

4.2 Every dwelling shall be connected to an approved type septic tank and dry well or drainage field. No septic tank, dry well, or drainage field shall be placed closer than twenty (20) feet to any parcel boundary line. All septic tanks and/or sewage systems shall be constructed in conformity with the Oceana County Health Department regulations in effect at the time of the proposed construction thereof.

4.3 No dwelling shall be erected on any parcel within the jurisdiction of the Corporation at a value of less than eighty fire thousand dollars ($85,000.00), based on year 2001 cost levels. Such values shall exclude the value of the land on which the dwelling is located, but may include the value of a well and septic system. The annual CPI index shall be used to calculate escalators for years after 2001. New dwellings erected shall have a ground floor area exclusive of open porches or garage, of not less than seven hundred twenty (720) square feet. All dwellings erected shall have a minimum twenty four feet along any side, front or rear elevation.

4.4 No new individual water supply systems shall be permitted unless such system is constructed in accordance with the Oceana County Health Department regulations.

4.5 All building exteriors shall be completed within nine (9) months after commencement of construction and no building shall be occupied until the exterior of said structure is completed.