Well and septic in Benzie County

Benzie is a small, water-rich county, and outside the villages and a few sewered spots, homes here run on private wells and septic systems. If you’re buying in one of the townships, there’s an important local rule to know about.

Michigan is the only state without a statewide septic code, so the rules are set locally. Benzie County is served by the Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department, and Benzie has had one of the strongest rules in the state for a long time: since 1992, a home’s well and septic system must be inspected and approved before the property can be sold or transferred to a new owner — what’s called a “time of transfer” evaluation. (Neighboring Leelanau County later modeled its own rule on Benzie’s.) Plan ahead, because the evaluation can take a few weeks, so it’s smart to start early rather than risk holding up a closing. The city of Frankfort and a few village areas are on municipal sewer, so the septic part may not apply there.

On a rural or lakefront property, look at the age and type of the septic system, where the drainfield sits, the well depth and water quality, and whether there’s room for a replacement drainfield. A passing soil test (a “perc test”) is part of building on a vacant lot.