Jackson Township Zoning Department

Accessory Buildings shall not be used as living quarters.

Accessory Buildings shall not exceed the square footage of the primary use structure on the premises for parcels of one acre or less.

The total of all unattached accessory buildings shall not exceed 1,200 sq. ft. in an R-R, R-1 and R-1 A district for parcels one acre or less.  For parcels with more than one acre, the maximum detached accessory building size shall be 3,000 sq. ft. or three (3%) percent of the lot or parcel, whichever is less.

No detached accessory building, shall exceed 500 sq. ft. per unit in an R-2, R-3 Residential PUD, R-4, R-5 and R-6 PUD district, except as otherwise specifically permitted.

A residential accessory building affidavit shall be completed and submitted for any single, detached accessory building over 700 sq. ft. prior to the issuance of a permit.

Accessory buildings shall not be constructed or placed on a lot without a principal dwelling unit. 

One accessory building that is 32 sq. ft. or less and not more than 10 ft. in height shall be permitted on a lot or parcel without a permit and need not comply with the setbacks from principal building.

Accessory buildings are only permitted in the side or rear yard area.

Accessory buildings 120 sq. ft. or less are required to have a minimum setback of 5 ft. from the rear and side property line.

Accessory buildings greater than 120 sq. ft. are required to have a minimum setback of 10 ft. from the side and rear property line and 15 ft. from all other buildings.

When an accessory building abuts a secondary street the minimum setback shall be 25 ft. from the road right-of -way.

• All above ground swimming pools greater than (3) feet in height and all in ground swimming pools require a permit and shall comply with all setback requirements. 
• The square footage of a swimming pool shall not count when calculating the total square footage of accessory structures permitted on a lot.
• Construction, plumbing and electrical requirements, inspection, and other safety facilities shall be regulated by the county or state building codes.
• No pool shall be filled with water until the appropriate means of preventing uncontrolled access from the street or adjacent properties has been completed, per the zoning resolution.
• Swimming pools are required to be a minimum of 10 ft. from any side or rear property line. When the side or rear property line abuts a secondary street the minimum setback is 25 ft. from the road right of way.
• Swimming pool are permitted only in the rear or side yard area.
• In Ground Pools – All in-ground swimming pools shall be enclosed with a wall or fence having a minimum height of four (4) feet and be equipped with a gate and locking device that is securely latched to prevent uncontrolled access from adjacent properties.  For lots or parcels five acres or greater an in-ground swimming pool may be secured with an automatic pool cover that meets the American Society for Testing and Material Standards (ASTM F1346-91) in lieu of a wall or fence.  Cover should always be closed when pool is not in use.
• Above Ground Pools – All above ground swimming pools greater than three (3) feet in height with a wall height less than four (4) feet shall be secured with the following: 
• The pool area or the entire property on which it is located shall be enclosed with a wall or fence having a minimum height of four (4) feet and be equipped with a gate and locking device that is securely latched to prevent uncontrolled access from adjacent properties.   
• Above Ground Pools- All above ground swimming pools with a wall height four (4) feet or less shall be secured with one of the following: The pool shall have steps or a ladder that swings up and locks in place off the ground or removed when the pool is unattended, the pool platform or deck has a gate with a locking device to prevent uncontrolled access from adjacent properties, or the pool area or the entire property on which it is located shall be enclosed with a wall or fence having a minimum height  of four (4) feet and be equipped with a gat and locking device that is securely latched to prevent uncontrolled access from adjacent properties.
• All enclosures shall be maintained in good condition.
• All above ground swimming pools less than thirty-seven (37) inches in height but more than twenty-four (24) inches in height shall be covered when not in use to prevent uncontrolled access.
• Swimming pools two (2) feet or less shall not be regulated.
• Abandoned Swimming Pools - A swimming pool shall be considered abandoned when the use has ceased and the pool is not maintained on a continued bases.  Above ground swimming pools which have been abandoned for more than twenty-four (24) months shall be removed from the property.  In-ground swimming pools which have been abandoned for more than twenty-four (24) months shall be filled in.  

Effective 4/7/16-A permit must be obtained prior to the construction of a fence.

• All fences must be a minimum of 5 ft. from any road right of way.
• Fences located in the front yard area parallel to the front property line shall not exceed a maximum height of 4 ft.
• Fences located parallel to the side property lines that are within 25 ft. of the front property line shall not exceed a maximum height of 4 ft.
• Fences located parallel to the side property lines that are setback greater than 25 ft. from the front property line shall not exceed a maximum height of 8 ft. 
• A gate constructed separately or as part of a fence shall be considered a fence for the purpose of these regulations.
• A wall constructed for the purpose of fencing, excluding retaining walls, shall be considered a fence for the purpose of these regulations.
• All fences should be constructed in a professional manner and shall be maintained in good condition at all times.

• Accessory structures such as porches, balconies, and decks as part of the principal or accessory building shall meet the setbacks of the principal or accessory building.
• Accessory structures such as porches, patios, and decks with a roof, and balconies as part of a principal or an accessory building shall be counted as part of the square footage for the principal or accessory building.
• Freestanding decks (detached from principal or accessory building) as an accessory to a boat dock shall be a minimum of 5 ft. from the side property line. 
• Freestanding decks (detached from the principal or accessory building) as an accessory to an above ground swimming pool shall be a minimum of 10 ft. from the side or rear property line.
• The installation of cement, brick, or block patios (without footers) shall not be regulated and do not require a permit.

Building height shall be the vertical distance measured from the average elevation of the proposed finished grade at the front of the building to 1) the highest point of the roof for flat roofs, 2) the deck line for mansard roofs, and 3) the mean height between the eaves and ridge for gable, hip, and gambrel roofs.

Illustration of Height