Best Places for Off-Grid and Tiny Home Living in Michigan
- Andrew McManamon
- 14 hours ago
- 8 min read
When people picture Michigan, they usually think of lakes, forests, and maybe a few too many potholes. But what a lot of people don’t realize is that Michigan can also be a goldmine for off-grid living and tiny homes — if you know where to look. Some counties and townships are pretty much giving a big ol’ Midwestern thumbs-up to living small and unplugged. Others... not so much (unless you want a surprise visit from zoning enforcement). Let’s dig into the places that actually roll out the welcome mat — with sources you can trust, so you’re not just taking some guy’s word for it on Facebook Marketplace.
If you want to learn more about Living off the grid in Michigan, be sure to watch my video below (after you're done reading about the best places to live off grid in Michigan)
Northern Michigan – Upper Peninsula Counties
Living Off The Grid In Michigan
Keweenaw County Michigan
Starting way up north, Keweenaw County in the Upper Peninsula is about as remote as you can get without accidentally crossing into Canada. It’s Michigan’s least populated county, and they like it that way. Keweenaw has super relaxed enforcement and already has tons of off-grid cabins quietly living their best lives. Their zoning ordinance (https://keweenawcountyonline.org/zoningordinance.php) doesn’t slap you with a minimum square footage for your house, so whether you want a 300-square-foot cabin or a Hobbit hole, you’re good — as long as you meet basic safety codes like fire escapes and sewage disposal.
Living Off The Grid In Michigan
Ontonagon County Michigan
Ontonagon County, just west of Keweenaw, is another off-grid champion. Tiny homes are allowed depending on the township, and off-grid setups like wells, solar panels, and composting toilets are just another Tuesday here (https://ontonagonmi.org/). If you want to disappear into the woods with your tiny cabin and a solar array, you’ll fit right in — just make sure to check with the local township clerk so you don't accidentally build on a sacred deer path or something.
Living Off The Grid In Michigan
Schoolcraft County Michigan
If you wander a little east, Schoolcraft County is also putting out tiny-home-friendly vibes. The county allows tiny homes — with the expected asterisk of, “please double-check local township rules just to be sure” (https://www.schoolcraftcounty.net/). Off-grid utilities like solar power and rainwater collection are pretty standard, and as long as you’re not trying to move into a literal tent, most setups fly under the radar just fine.
Living Off The Grid In Michigan
Clark Township - Mackinac County Michigan
Now if you want something even cuter (yes, it’s possible), Clark Township in Mackinac County is worth a look. They’ve officially written into their zoning ordinance that accessory dwelling units (ADUs) — aka tiny homes — are allowed throughout the township (https://www.clarktwp.org/zoning-ordinance). Whether you want a lakeside cabin or just a backyard cottage for your collection of lawn gnomes, Clark Township has a relatively smooth approval process and way fewer grumpy neighbors than you’ll find in bigger cities.
Northern Lower Peninsula Counties
Living Off The Grid In Michigan
Briley Township - Montmorency County Michigan
Meanwhile, down in Briley Township in Montmorency County, they’re waving the tiny home flag proudly. They’ve been called one of Michigan’s OG tiny-house-friendly communities (https://www.brileytownship.org/). You can build as small as 400 square feet (or even less if you sweet-talk zoning), and off-grid cabins with solar setups are totally normal out there — no dirty looks from the neighbors for having a composting toilet, either.
Living Off The Grid In Michigan
Oscoda County Michigan
If you want true "middle of the woods" energy, Oscoda County might be your jam. This northeastern Lower Peninsula spot has almost no zoning drama for tiny homes (https://www.oscodacountymi.org/), and many properties are already rocking generators, wells, or straight-up off-grid systems. Just make sure you get your waste disposal plan cleared with the county health department, because even the most laid-back places still get a little weird about poop management.
Living Off The Grid In Michigan
Alcona County Michigan
Further south (but still chill), Alcona County is another great off-grid candidate. It’s one of those places where zoning is so loosely defined, it’s practically a suggestion (https://alconacountymi.com/). If you're building something modest and functional, most township offices will be happy you even showed up to ask. Many homes use solar, private wells, and creative waste solutions without much fuss.
Living Off The Grid In Michigan
Traverse City Michigan
If you want tiny living but also want a microbrewery within 15 minutes, Traverse City in Grand Traverse County has your back. They’ve got one of Michigan’s first dedicated tiny-home communities, and ADUs (accessory dwelling units) are officially allowed citywide (https://www.traversecitymi.gov/government/planning/tiny-homes.html). You’ll need to connect to city utilities if you’re within city limits, but Traverse City is one of the few places where a tiny home is seen as trendy instead of suspicious.
Living Off The Grid In Michigan
Vergennes Township Michigan
Over in west Michigan, Vergennes Township (part of Montcalm County) lets you build homes as small as 400 square feet (https://vergennestwp.org/zoning/), which is basically tiny house heaven by Michigan standards. You’ll still need a real foundation and basic building permits, but off-grid setups are way more welcome in rural pockets like this.
Southern Michigan Rural Areas
Living Off The Grid In Michigan
Allegan County Michigan
Down in southwest Michigan, Allegan County is throwing open the doors too. Allegan officially allows tiny homes across the county (https://www.allegancounty.org/government/planning-and-zoning), and rural parcels are especially good for people who want to go solar, install a well, and peace out from the grid. Just make sure you’re dealing with the county or township directly because some of the little cities inside Allegan (like Allegan City itself) might have stricter rules.
Living Off The Grid In Michigan
Eaton County Michigan
Mid-Michigan folks, don’t worry — Eaton County has you covered. They officially recognize tiny homes and generally have a good attitude toward small dwellings (https://www.eatoncounty.org/293/Construction-Building). You’ll need to check with whichever township you’re eyeing because details like foundation type or design requirements vary, but finding land where you can build your dream off-grid tiny home is very possible here.
Living Off The Grid In Michigan
Bay County Michigan
Bay County, near Saginaw Bay, is another option. The county acknowledges that tiny homes are legal (https://www.baycounty-mi.gov/), although if you get closer to Bay City proper, you’ll be expected to connect to municipal utilities. Out in the country? Wells, solar panels, and compost toilets become very doable.
Living Off The Grid In Michigan
Hillsdale, Branch and Lenawee County Michigan
Now if you really want to go “full cabin in the woods,” a lot of people are moving toward Hillsdale, Branch, and Lenawee Counties (https://www.countyofbranch.com/). These southern Michigan counties — known for large Amish communities — often don’t blink at off-grid lifestyles. You’ll still need to meet Michigan’s basic health codes, but otherwise, setting up your little slice of wilderness heaven is easier than you’d think.
Suburban and Urban Communities
Living Off The Grid In Michigan
Ann Arbor Michigan
If you prefer something closer to city amenities but still tiny-house friendly, Ann Arbor is a great bet. They allow accessory dwelling units across the city (https://www.a2gov.org/departments/planning/Pages/Accessory-Dwelling-Units.aspx), and the minimum size for a tiny house is just 225 square feet. Yes, it’s a college town. Yes, the locals might debate you about organic farming. But if you want a walkable, tiny-home lifestyle without sneaking around zoning laws, this is the spot.
Living Off The Grid In Michigan
Grand Rapids Michigan
Speaking of walkable cities, Grand Rapids — Michigan’s second largest — has lowered its minimum house size to about 400 square feet (https://www.grandrapidsmi.gov/Government/Programs-and-Initiatives/Accessory-Dwelling-Units). They also allow accessory dwelling units as a special land use in residential areas. So whether you want an ADU in someone’s backyard or a solo tiny home on a real lot, Grand Rapids is surprisingly ahead of the curve.
Living Off The Grid In Michigan
Lansing Michigan
Lansing, the state capital, is even more flexible: no minimum house size at all in the zoning code (https://www.lansingmi.gov/283/Planning-Zoning). As long as you meet the building codes for things like egress, plumbing, and structure, nobody cares if your house is 300 square feet or 3,000. Off-grid setups aren’t super common inside the city itself, but on the outskirts, you could make it happen.
Living Off The Grid In Michigan
Kalamazoo County Michigan
Kalamazoo County also deserves a shoutout. Several townships permit tiny homes (https://www.kalcounty.com/directory/building.htm), and ADUs are growing in popularity. The city of Kalamazoo itself supports small homes as part of its push for affordable housing, although you’ll still have to connect to city services if you’re in town.
Living Off The Grid In Michigan
Detroit Michigan
Down in Detroit, tiny homes are actually part of a real revitalization effort. The Cass Community Social Services organization built a whole "tiny home village" — homes between 250-400 square feet — on real foundations (https://www.casscommunity.org/tinyhomes/). While true off-grid living isn’t feasible inside Detroit city limits (you'll have to connect to sewer and water), you can build a legal, tiny home on a small urban lot and pay a fraction of the usual property taxes.
Living Off The Grid In Michigan
Dearborn Michigan
And finally, Dearborn is worth a mention too. This Detroit suburb has started allowing tiny homes and accessory dwelling units on a case-by-case basis (https://cityofdearborn.org/services/building-safety). If you’re planning carefully and working with city inspectors early, you can definitely make it happen.
Living Off The Grid In Michigan
What You Need To Know
Now, real quick — some important stuff you need to know. Michigan does allow off-grid living, meaning you can live without public electric or public water if you meet basic health and safety standards. Composting toilets are generally allowed if you use an NSF-certified system and properly dispose of greywater. Rainwater harvesting is legal statewide (no weird collection bans like some western states). And you can absolutely power your home with solar or wind — no one in Michigan zoning is going to knock on your door because you skipped Consumers Energy.
That said, you must meet the minimum sanitation standards, which usually means either installing a permitted septic system or an alternative approved by the local health department. Also — important — Michigan’s minimum room size laws under the Michigan Residential Code require that at least one room in a home be 120 square feet, and other rooms be at least 70 square feet (https://www.michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/bcc/building-codes).
If you pick a place like Keweenaw, Ontonagon, Schoolcraft, Oscoda, or parts of Hillsdale County? You’re probably looking at one of the easiest paths to living tiny, off-grid, and stress-free. If you’re aiming for somewhere like Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, or Traverse City, you’ll find tiny home support — but you’ll need to be plugged into utilities unless you head to the outskirts.
Looking for a Tiny Home in Michigan?
Watch this video tour below
Cheers,
Andrew
Andrew McManamon is a Michigan REALTOR® with Signature Sotheby’s International Realty and provides real estate services to Buyers, Sellers and Investors throughout SE Michigan including Livingston County, Oakland County, Washtenaw County, Genesee County & beyond. Andrew has become one of the pillars of Michigan real estate. Prior to his real estate career Andrew was responsible for managing a senior living facility in Brighton, Michigan as a dining supervisor and an activities assistant. Andrew’s passion to help people is unlike any other, and he continues to strive to be the best resource he can be. Andrew graduated from Cleary University in Howell, Michigan with a double major in business and marketing, and currently resides in Brighton, Michigan.
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