Homesteading in Michigan
Explore 83 counties and state-level regulations for homesteaders in Michigan.
Michigan uses a Riparian water rights system , enforces statewide IRC building codes , and requires a carry permit. The effective property tax rate is 1.38%.
State Regulations
Water Rights
System: Riparian
Follows riparian doctrine modified by the Great Lakes Compact. Large quantity withdrawals (over 100,000 gallons per day) require registration and assessment.
Statute: Mich. Comp. Laws § 324.32701 et seq.
Building Codes
Statewide IRC: Yes (statewide)
Michigan Residential Code applies statewide, based on IRC. Administered by the Bureau of Construction Codes.
Statute: Mich. Comp. Laws § 125.1502a
Gun Laws
Open Carry: Yes
Constitutional Carry: No
License to purchase required for handguns. Concealed Pistol License required for concealed carry. Open carry legal without a permit.
Statute: Mich. Comp. Laws § 28.422; Mich. Comp. Laws § 28.425b
Right to Farm
Protected: Yes
Protects farm operations from nuisance claims if conforming to generally accepted agricultural management practices as determined by the Michigan Commission of Agriculture.
Statute: Mich. Comp. Laws § 286.471 et seq.
Counties in Michigan
83 counties · Click column headers to sort
| County | Population | Median Home | Property Tax | Growing Days | Overall Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alcona County | 10,238 | $148,200 | $1,267 | 69 | Very Low |
| Alger County | 8,866 | $156,500 | $1,572 | 56 | Very Low |
| Allegan County | 120,189 | $225,000 | $2,673 | 71 | Relatively Low |
| Alpena County | 28,911 | $128,000 | $1,472 | 68 | Very Low |
| Antrim County | 23,662 | $199,800 | $1,998 | 62 | Very Low |
| Arenac County | 15,031 | $118,200 | $1,553 | 71 | Very Low |
| Baraga County | 8,245 | $121,700 | $1,716 | 56 | Very Low |
| Barry County | 62,581 | $223,600 | $2,617 | 70 | Relatively Low |
| Bay County | 103,752 | $125,000 | $2,091 | 72 | Relatively Low |
| Benzie County | 18,058 | $243,600 | $2,053 | 63 | Very Low |
| Berrien County | 153,938 | $193,600 | $2,230 | 73 | Relatively Moderate |
| Branch County | 44,795 | $140,200 | $1,751 | 73 | Relatively Low |
| Calhoun County | 134,011 | $138,700 | $2,221 | 71 | Relatively Low |
| Cass County | 51,604 | $181,100 | $1,872 | 73 | Relatively Low |
| Charlevoix County | 26,174 | $220,000 | $2,251 | 59 | Very Low |
| Cheboygan County | 25,709 | $167,400 | $1,573 | 66 | Relatively Low |
| Chippewa County | 36,670 | $142,000 | $1,893 | 63 | Very Low |
| Clare County | 30,998 | $112,400 | $1,344 | 71 | Relatively Low |
| Clinton County | 79,249 | $226,000 | $2,926 | 75 | Relatively Low |
| Crawford County | 13,197 | $135,400 | $1,500 | 69 | Very Low |
| Delta County | 36,839 | $139,200 | $1,666 | 59 | Relatively Low |
| Dickinson County | 25,937 | $122,600 | $1,809 | 58 | Relatively Low |
| Eaton County | 109,072 | $194,500 | $2,870 | 76 | Relatively Low |
| Emmet County | 34,072 | $246,300 | $2,390 | 65 | Very Low |
| Genesee County | 405,280 | $158,400 | $2,323 | 75 | Relatively Moderate |
| Gladwin County | 25,461 | $140,600 | $1,729 | 71 | Very Low |
| Gogebic County | 14,597 | $87,800 | $1,459 | 56 | Very Low |
| Grand Traverse County | 95,315 | $273,300 | $2,826 | 62 | Relatively Low |
| Gratiot County | 41,534 | $126,500 | $1,679 | 74 | Relatively Low |
| Hillsdale County | 45,698 | $159,000 | $1,621 | 79 | Relatively Low |
| Houghton County | 37,414 | $129,200 | $1,668 | 54 | Very Low |
| Huron County | 31,461 | $129,500 | $1,653 | 71 | Relatively Low |
| Ingham County | 282,540 | $173,600 | $3,346 | 76 | Relatively Moderate |
| Ionia County | 66,663 | $169,600 | $2,079 | 69 | Relatively Low |
| Iosco County | 25,319 | $118,400 | $1,246 | 70 | Very Low |
| Iron County | 11,585 | $95,800 | $1,443 | 57 | Relatively Low |
| Isabella County | 64,938 | $159,500 | $2,098 | 72 | Relatively Low |
| Jackson County | 160,637 | $166,700 | $2,228 | 77 | Relatively Low |
| Kalamazoo County | 261,426 | $209,700 | $3,185 | 71 | Relatively Moderate |
| Kalkaska County | 17,934 | $152,800 | $1,486 | 63 | Very Low |
| Kent County | 657,321 | $242,200 | $2,889 | 69 | Relatively Moderate |
| Keweenaw County | 2,088 | $155,900 | $1,538 | 53 | Very Low |
| Lake County | 12,285 | $117,100 | $1,371 | 65 | Very Low |
| Lapeer County | 88,687 | $219,300 | $2,118 | 74 | Relatively Low |
| Leelanau County | 22,426 | $371,200 | $2,636 | 61 | Relatively Low |
| Lenawee County | 99,263 | $168,100 | $2,343 | 79 | Relatively Low |
| Livingston County | 194,302 | $311,800 | $3,165 | 76 | Relatively Low |
| Luce County | 5,442 | $104,600 | $1,048 | 56 | Very Low |
| Mackinac County | 10,843 | $157,000 | $1,671 | 57 | Very Low |
| Macomb County | 878,453 | $216,200 | $3,186 | 76 | Relatively High |
| Manistee County | 25,058 | $157,800 | $1,832 | 64 | Very Low |
| Marquette County | 66,376 | $184,300 | $1,977 | 56 | Relatively Low |
| Mason County | 29,178 | $181,200 | $2,068 | 65 | Very Low |
| Mecosta County | 40,128 | $153,000 | $1,609 | 66 | Relatively Low |
| Menominee County | 23,433 | $132,200 | $1,431 | 60 | Relatively Low |
| Midland County | 83,503 | $171,600 | $2,737 | 72 | Relatively Low |
| Missaukee County | 15,089 | $153,300 | $1,494 | 64 | Very Low |
| Monroe County | 154,823 | $202,200 | $2,387 | 79 | Relatively Moderate |
| Montcalm County | 66,901 | $154,900 | $1,749 | 68 | Relatively Low |
| Montmorency County | 9,261 | $125,600 | $1,306 | 68 | Very Low |
| Muskegon County | 175,947 | $162,300 | $2,204 | 67 | Relatively Low |
| Newaygo County | 50,130 | $165,000 | $1,976 | 67 | Relatively Low |
| Oakland County | 1,272,264 | $302,800 | $4,124 | 76 | Relatively High |
| Oceana County | 26,707 | $151,700 | $1,848 | 67 | Very Low |
| Ogemaw County | 20,820 | $125,300 | $1,355 | 70 | Very Low |
| Ontonagon County | 5,862 | $89,700 | $1,178 | 55 | Very Low |
| Osceola County | 23,022 | $128,200 | $1,436 | 65 | Very Low |
| Oscoda County | 8,264 | $122,500 | $1,178 | 69 | Very Low |
| Otsego County | 25,221 | $178,400 | $1,693 | 68 | Very Low |
| Ottawa County | 296,183 | $269,200 | $2,936 | 68 | Relatively Moderate |
| Presque Isle County | 13,083 | $124,800 | $1,381 | 67 | Very Low |
| Roscommon County | 23,556 | $133,400 | $1,462 | 70 | Relatively Low |
| Saginaw County | 189,821 | $131,100 | $2,021 | 74 | Relatively Moderate |
| St. Clair County | 160,257 | $197,300 | $2,402 | 75 | Relatively Moderate |
| St. Joseph County | 60,887 | $152,800 | $1,759 | 73 | Relatively Low |
| Sanilac County | 40,759 | $149,300 | $1,448 | 73 | Relatively Low |
| Schoolcraft County | 8,062 | $129,100 | $1,302 | 58 | Very Low |
| Shiawassee County | 68,124 | $151,900 | $2,064 | 75 | Relatively Low |
| Tuscola County | 53,218 | $127,200 | $1,669 | 73 | Relatively Low |
| Van Buren County | 75,636 | $172,100 | $2,376 | 71 | Relatively Low |
| Washtenaw County | 370,231 | $336,300 | $5,255 | 77 | Relatively Moderate |
| Wayne County | 1,781,641 | $158,600 | $2,740 | 77 | Relatively High |
| Wexford County | 33,766 | $146,100 | $1,789 | 64 | Very Low |
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