Planning & Zoning

What Do We Do?
The Planning & Zoning Department serves as the Township's primary point of contact for citizens, developers, and members of the business community with questions regarding the Township's Zoning Ordinance and land use regulations.  The Department also provides professional administrative staff support for the Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals.  Administrative staff duties include processing publications, preparing agendas, transcribing minutes, public notifications, and coordinating reviews.  The Planning & Zoning Department also reviews permanent sign applications and temporary use permits.  Click here to see forms for Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals.

Interested In Developing In Orion Township?
We would love to meet and talk with you!  The township offers a pre-application meeting free of charge with key Township individuals such as the Township Supervisor, a  Planning Commission Member, the Building Official, the Township Engineering Consultant, the Township Planning Consultant, the Fire Chief, the Planning and Zoning Director, and the Operations Director. 

The group will discuss with you the process, time frames, and examine preliminary plans in hopes of pointing out any potential problems or hurdles.  Click here to view a basic flowchart of the development approval process.

If interested in scheduling a pre-application meeting, please contact Planning and Zoning Director Tammy Girling at 248-391-0304, ext. 5000.

Fee Schedule
The Fee Schedule in effect as of January 1, 2022 is included in Township Ordinance 41.   Payment via cash, check, or credit card can be taken in person at the Planning & Zoning Office counter at Orion Township Hall.  There is a 2.8% fee to use a credit or debit card.  Checks can be mailed with the application.

The applicant should contact the Planning & Zoning Office at (248) 391-0304, ext. 5000 prior to payment to confirm any and all fees that might apply to an application.

Planning Commission (PC)
The purpose of the Planning Commission is to guide the efficient, coordinated development of the Township in a manner which will best promote the health, safety, and general welfare of its citizens.  The commission consists of seven members representing different segments of the community.  The Commission is responsible for carrying out the following duties:

• Review site plans, special land uses rezoning requests, platted subdivisions, condominiums, planned unit developments, and other various development options contained within the Township Ordinances.
• Make and adopt a general master plan as a guide for development within the Township.
• Formulate the zoning ordinance, containing land development regulations and establishing and land development districts within the Township.
• Township Master Plan.
• Engineering Standards

The Planning Commission meets on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Board Room at Orion Township Municipality Complex, 2323 Joslyn Road, Lake Orion, MI 48360.

Zoning Board of  Appeals (ZBA)
The Zoning Board of Appeals consists of five regular members and two alternate members.  The purpose of the ZBA is to build and promote the efficient coordinated development of the Township through interpretation of zoning regulations, granting variances, and substantial justice to petitioners in a manner which will best promote the health, safety, and general welfare of Township citizens.

The ZBA meets the Second and fourth Mondays of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Board Room at the Orion Township Municipality Complex Board Room, 2323 Joslyn Road, Lake Orion, MI 48360.