Planning & Zoning
Pre-Conceptual Review Meeting Request
You’ve got an idea!
GREAT! We are so pleased you are considering a construction project in the Village.
If there is anything we can do to facilitate your project, please contact the Village Manager:
Todd Hackenberg
269-624-6407
Planning and Zoning Fees
As per the master fee schedule passed by Resolution 04-2024 on March 18, 2024
The Village of Lawton accepts Cash, Check or Credit card Payments for Permit Fees
Zoning Permit Application Fee – $25.00
Special Land Use Permit Fee – $125.00 (plus any costs incurred by Village)
Building Permit Application Fee – $75.00*
Demolition Permit Application Fee – $75.00*
Driveway Permit Application Fee – $75.00
Land Division/Combination Application Fee – $250.00 (for the first four parcels, $50 per additional parcel thereafter)
Right of Way Permit Fee – $50.00 monthly or $300.00 Yearly
Mechanical Permit Application Fee – $75.00*
Electrical Permit Application Fee – $75.00*
Plumbing Permit Application Fee – $75.00*
Fence Permit Application Fee – No Charge
Sign Permit Fee – $175.00
*These are just the fees for permit application. Other permit costs will be determined by inspector during permitting process. For any questions, please reach out to our permitting partner, Safebuilt, at 269-729-9244 or athensmi@safebuilt.com
Planning and Zoning Maps
Visit our Zoning Map Page, as well as our Zoning Ordinances to help answer some zoning questions here!
You may also find Zoning Ordinance Public Hearing & Public Noticing Requirements here!
Zoning Variances
If a project you are planning does not satisfy zoning requirements, you may apply for a variance, or exception from the rules. Historically, variances have been granted only when there are unique circumstances or practical difficulties regarding the property or structure, and when the granting of the variance would not be a detriment to neighboring properties. Variances are not granted solely as a means to avoid compliance with the Village’s regulations. A public hearing before the Planning Commission is a requirement for all variances.
The time period from a variance application to public hearing is usually four to six weeks. The following is a general guide for what to expect when seeking a variance:
We suggest you contact the Village staff to better understand the Zoning Variance Process, determine the best course of action, and confirm the deadlines.
- A site plan showing all required information, and a brief narrative explaining the request and how it meets the required variance approval criteria.
- Village staff will review the application and schedule a date for a public hearing for the request.
- At least 15 days prior to the public hearing, Village staff will advertise the public hearing in a newspaper of local circulation, and send notices to all residents within 300’ of the request, and place a sign on the Village Bulletin board notifying the public hearing is scheduled.
- At the Public Hearing, the Planning Commission will hear the request. The applicants will be required to attend to speak and answer questions about their request. Public comment will also be held to get the views of other interested parties, commonly residents, neighbors, or other stakeholders.
- After hearing the request, the Planning Commission will vote to either approve the request, approve the request with conditions, deny the request, or postpone for further information/consideration.
- Approved variances are valid for one year. Variances not acted upon after that time automatically become null and void.
Planning Commission Site Plan Review Checklist
The initial application for Site Plan Review, must be received by the Village a minimum of thirty (30) days prior to the next regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting to be eligible for placement of that meeting.
Upon submission of a complete application, the site plan and all associated documents are forwarded to the applicable reviewing agencies, departments, and professionals for comment and review. **PLEASE NOTE** If the 30 days falls on a weekend, it will need to be submitted by the prior business day.
Dates Needed for Planning Commission Review:
- Submitted: 9/1/2024 – Meeting: 10/1/2024
- Submitted: 10/6/2024 – Meeting: 11/5/2024
- Submitted: 11/3/2024 – Meeting: 12/3/2024
- Submitted: 12/6/2024 – Meeting: 1/7/2025
- Submitted: 1/5/2025 – Meeting: 2/4/2025
- Submitted: 2/4/2025 – Meeting: 3/4/2025
- Submitted: 3/02/2025 – Meeting: 4/1/2025
- Submitted: 4/6/2025 – Meeting: 5/6/2025
- Submitted: 5/4/2024 – Meeting: 6/4/2025
- Submitted: 6/1/2025 – Meeting: 7/1/2025
- Submitted: 7/6/2024 – Meeting: 8/5/2025
- Submitted: 8/3/2025 – Meeting: 9/2/2025
Site plan approval is valid for twelve (12) months from the date of approval. Any requests for an extension must be made in writing and approved by the Planning Commission.
If an application is approved with conditions, all conditions of approval must be met prior to proceeding to Engineering review or building permits being issued.
Site Plan Review Process Flowchart
Building, Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Permits
The Village of Lawton utilizes Safebuilt for these permit types, and applications are linked below. All permit applications can be submitted either in the Village office, with Village Staff then notifying Safebuilt, or paid directly to Safebuilt.
Safebuilt can be reached at 269-729-9244
The Inspection Line for all of the below Permits is: 877-721-9266
Building Permits:
Building Permit Application
Building Inspector: Rich McGrew
Mechanical Permits:
Mechanical Permit Application
Mechanical Inspector: Walt Devisser Jr.
Electrical Permits:
Electrical Permit Application
Electrical Inspector: Chauncey Hackenberg
Plumbing Permit:
Plumbing Permit Application
Plumbing Inspector: Charles Girolami
**SAFEBUILT also issues Pool Permits for the Village of Lawton.
** MISS DIG can be reached at 800.482.7171, or more information can be found on their website.
Fence Permits
Fence Permits can be obtained through the Village at no cost.
- In front yards: open fences must be under 4’ tall, and solid fences and walls must be under 3’ tall.
- Corner Lots are considered to have two front yards. Either yard facing the road is a front yard.
- Fences in residential zone districts shall consist of materials that are customarily found in residential settings such as a wooden privacy fence, ornamental metal or wooden picket fence, or a coated chain link.
- Walls shall be made of masonry, decorative block, poured concrete, brick, stone or other high quality, appropriate material. The material used shall be compatible with material used in construction of the main building.
