Lansing, MI Right to Farm: Farm Nuisance Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- Exempts
- Right to Farm Act activities
- From
- § 1219.03 stormwater plan duty
- State law
- 1981 PA 93
- Form
- Local ordinance exemption, not a ban
Summary
Lansing's stormwater code exempts farming activities protected by Michigan's Right to Farm Act from its post-construction stormwater plan requirement, under Lansing Codified Ordinances § 1219.04(a).
Notwithstanding the requirements of Section 1219.03, a stormwater plan shall not be required for activities protected by the Right to Farm Act 93 of 1981.(b)The installation or removal of individual manufactured homes within a manufactured home park is exempted from the requirements of this chapter. This exemption shall not be construed to apply to the construction, expansion, or modification of a manufactured home park.(c)Plats that have received preliminary plat approval and other developments with final land use approval prior to the effective date of the ordinance from which this chapter is derived are exempted from the requirements of this chapter, where such approvals remain in effect.(d)Any emergency projects that are immediately necessary for the protection of life, property, or natural resources, are exempted from the requirements of this chapter.(e)Linear construction projects, such as pipeline or utility line installation, that do not result in the installation of any impervious cover, as determined by the City Engineer, are exempted from the requirements of this chapter. (Ord. No. 1234, § 1, 9-10-18)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 64).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 1219 otherwise requires an approved post-construction stormwater management plan before the City approves a site plan, plot plan or plat for development or redevelopment (§ 1219.03). Section 1219.04(a) exempts activities protected by Michigan's Right to Farm Act, 1981 PA 93, from that stormwater-plan requirement: farm operations covered by the state Act do not need a separate City-approved stormwater plan for those protected activities. The other exemptions in § 1219.04 cover manufactured-home installation, previously approved plats, emergency projects and linear utility work.
Violations & Fines
Farm activities outside Right to Farm Act protection still need the § 1219.03 stormwater plan before site plan approval; skipping it is enforced under § 1219.23: daily civil infractions and fines like any other project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Lansing require farms to get a stormwater permit?
Is right-to-farm protection itself a Lansing ordinance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lansing
Compare Lansing to another location·View the Michigan right to farm overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.