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1. Do I qualify for a Principal Residence Exemption?

Homeowners who own and occupy a homestead as their principal residence may be exempt from a portion of the school operating tax. In order to claim this exemption, the homeowner must file a Principal Residence Exemption Affidavit with the City office at 375 Depot Rd, Clarkston, MI 48346 by June 1st. Adjustments will be made by the assessor on the next property tax bill. Homeowners may claim only one homestead in Michigan.
Principal Residence Exemption Affidavit

2. Can I make a Request to Recind?

A homeowner who has claimed a Principal Residence Exemption on a property and sells that property or converts the home to another use (i.e. rental property) must rescind the exemption they maintained when the property was owned and occupied as a primary residence in accordance with the laws of the State of Michigan. If it is determined that a property was claimed as a Principal Residence when in fact it was not, the owner may be subject to additional property taxes, penalty and interest.
Request to Rescind Principal Residence Exemption

3. When do I need to file a Property Transfer Affidavit?

A Property Transfer Affidavit form must be filed whenever real estate or some types of personal property are transferred, even if you do not record a deed. It must be filed by the new owner with the City or the County within 45 days of the transfer. If it is not filed within 45 days, a penalty may apply.
Property Transfer Affidavit

4. What factors contribute to the increase in taxable value of my property?

Due to the passage of Proposal A, your taxable value can only increase 5% or the CPS (Consumer Price Index), whichever is lower. The taxable value can also increase when new construction is added. This includes decks, garages, additions, etc. Assessments will change according to the effect of the market conditions. Should you need information regarding assessments, field sheets or tax matters, please contact the City Office.

5. How can I challenge the assessment of taxable value on my property?

Every year a change of assessment notice is mailed to all homeowners informing them of any changes in the assessed and taxable values of their property. The March Board of Review meetings are held at City Hall and appointments are required to make an appeal. The Board hears appeals for the current year only. Appeals relating to property value or hardship are held at this meeting. Should you not agree with the Board of Review action, you may appeal to the Michigan Tax Tribunal. The July and December Board of Review are held for mutual mistakes of fact or clerical error, hardship, and homestead status only.

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1. When is the City's Budget Fiscal Year?

The City of the Village of Clarkston's budget fiscal year is from July 1st through June 30th. A budget is adopted by City Council each year in June preceding the new fiscal year.

2. Will the residents get a chance to see the proposed budget before being adopted?

Prior to the City Council approving the fiscal year budget at the second Council meeting in June of every year, a public hearing is held during the second Council meeting in May. During this meeting the proposed budget is presented to the public, at which time questions can be asked and concerns expressed.

3. When is the budget adopted for the upcoming fiscal year?

The City budget for the upcoming fiscal year must be adopted by City Council no later than the second Council meeting in June.

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1. When is a building permit required?

A building permit application must be completed whenever a building is to be erected, altered, enlarged, structurally repaired, moved, or converted to different use groups (as defined in the building code). Additionally, a building permit is required for the installation of the following:
Replacement windows or doors.
Pools that are more than 24 inches deep
Decks (including porches)
Garages or carports
Swimming pools
Roof (when removal of any boards or tresses need to be replaced)

A permit is not required for the following:
Sheds less than 200 square feet in size
Driveways on grade on private property
Strip and re-shingle Roof
Painting, wallpapering, or other similar finishes.

Prefabricated above-ground pools or in-ground pools that are less than 24 inches deep
If your application is approved, you will receive a copy of the actual Building Permit, including a list of required inspections, and a copy of the approved plans. The Permit should be posted at the job site so that it is visible from the street. The approved set of construction drawings should be kept at the job site for you and the inspector to refer to until the project is completed.

2. When do I need to schedule inspection?

Inspections are required for the following items:
•Spread or trench footings

•Footing and drainage system inspections prior to backfill

•Rough plumbing

•Rough electrical

•Rough heating

•Rough building prior to covering

•Insulation

•Final plumbing, heating, and electrical inspections

•Final building

•Final grade (as-built grade certification required)

3. How long is my permit good for?

Construction must start within six months; however, once construction is started the permit will continue to be in effect as long as continuing progress is shown. A permit that does not show activity for a six-month period will lapse.

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1. Will I ever have to re-register?

If you move from one municipality to another, you must re-register.

2. What is my voting precinct?

Review our Precinct and Polling Place Map, or contact the Clerk’s Office at 248-625-1559 for the polling location of your precinct.

3. Can I submit an application by e-mail or allow someone else to sign my name?

An application must be signed by the person requesting the ballot. This signature is then checked against the signature on file. Therefore, an unsigned e-mail application or an application signed for you by someone else cannot be accepted.

4. Can I deliver my spouse's application and receive his/her ballot?

State law permits you to deliver your spouse's signed absentee ballot application to the Clerk's Office, but does not allow you to receive his/her ballot at that time. Ballots that cannot be handed to the applicant by the Clerk or his/her authorized representative must be sent by mail.

5. Who administers The City of The Village of Clarkston elections?

The Clerk serves as the Chief Election Officer for the City and is responsible for administering elections. The City is also served by a state-mandated Election Commission to oversee certain election-related functions, such as appointment of Election Inspectors and testing of ballots and equipment.

6. What are Election Inspectors?

Election Inspectors are the people you see when you go to your precinct to vote. They issue ballots, check voter eligibility, respond to questions or assist voters as appropriate, maintain records and conduct many other very detailed tasks both during the voting process and after the polls close. For each election cycle, Election Inspectors are required to attend a detailed training workshop conducted by the Clerk. Election Inspectors are paid an hourly rate on Election Day and are also compensated for their attendance at required training sessions.

7. Who can serve as an Election Inspector?

Those age 18 or over who are qualified and registered voters in the State of Michigan and meet certain other criteria. Under certain conditions, a person age 16 or 17 may also be eligible to serve as an Election Inspector. To obtain an application or learn more about the position, contact the Clerk’s Office at 248-625-1559.

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1. What is the fee for renting the Depot Park gazebo?

$200 for The City of the Village of Clarkston residents and $250 for non-residents.

2. When is payment due for the gazebo rental?

In order to hold your requested date, payment must be made in full at time of reservation.

3. Will a refund be given if my reservation is cancelled?

In order to receive a full refund, you must cancel at least 2 weeks prior to your reservation date.

4. How many hours is each gazebo reservation?

Each reservation is for a two hour period.

5. What type of payment do you accept?

The City accepts cash, check, Visa, MasterCard or Discover. Online payment can be made here.

6. Are there restrooms available?

Yes. Outside bathroom facilities are available at the City Hall building. 

7. Are alcoholic beverages allowed in the park?

No alcohol is permitted in Depot Park.

8. Can we grill in the park?

No grilling is allowed in Depot Park.

9. Are there any electrical outlets available?

Yes, there is electricity in the gazebo.

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1. What is the Historic District Commission and how is it formed?

A Historic District Commission (HDC) is a group of people that regulates and reviews proposed improvements on a property within a designated local historic district. Members of the commission are appointed by City Council.

2. What are the responsibilities of the Historic District Commission?

The Historic District Commission has the difficult job of preserving their community's historic integrity. The main responsibility of the commission is to review plans for construction on the property within the historic district, which must be approved before it can be carried out. The commission is also responsible for denying approval to construction projects that they believe will damage the historical resources of their district.

3. What will happen when I apply to the Historic District Commission to review proposed work on my Historic Home?

Once you have turned in your application, one of four things will happen:
1. The Commission will table the request until it knows enough about the situation to make an informed decision.
2. It can issue a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) if it agrees that the proposed work meets the Standards for Rehabilitation and any other guidelines specific to their district. You can then go ahead with your planned work. Note: (COA) is not a building permit. Contact The City of the Village of Clarkston Building Department.
3. If the work does not meet the Standards, the Commission will issue a Denial. If you receive a Denial, the Commission is also required to supply a written explanation of why they considered the project to be inappropriate.

4. What guidelines does a Historic District Commission use when making decisions?

An HDC makes its decisions based on the Secretary of Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation of historic structures. For a detailed explanation of the Standards, please visit the National Parks Service website at: https://www.nps.gov/tps/standards/four-treatments/treatment-rehabilitation.htm

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1. What is the Planning Commission responsible for?

The Planning Commission reviews and considers all new signs, new commercial / industrial development, and exterior alterations to commercial and industrial buildings. The Planning Commission also reviews all new residential developments (new subdivisions) and additions to residential construction and recommends either approval or denial to the City Council. The Planning Commission is assisted by the City Planner, City Attorney, and Building Official. The Planning Commission is guided by the Master Plan for the City, which is available on our website using the link below, can be viewed at the Village Hall and a printed version can be purchased.

Master Plan

2. What is a site plan?

A site plan is a drawing prepared by a surveyor, engineer, architect or landscape architect showing detailed plans for a particular land use or development project. The site plan is used to study both on-site and off-site impacts of a proposed development and compliance with City ordinances and regulations. A site plan should show existing and proposed topography and grading, parking, landscaping, lighting, access, buildings, storm water management, and other key site features.

3. How do I apply for rezoning?

An application to request a rezoning must be submitted to The City of the Village of Clarkston Building Department (Susan Weaver (248) 625-8480 or sweaver@cescode.com) prior to consideration by the Planning Commission.

4. How will I know if my request is approved?

The Planning Commission is guided by the Master Plan for The City of the Village of Clarkston. When you have submitted a Site plan, Special Land Use Application, Sign permit application for review by the Planning Commission, you or your representative must be in attendance at the appropriate meeting(s) to present your application and to answer questions of the Planning Commission. Please contact the Building Department Administrator Susan Weaver @ (248) 625-8480 or email sweaver@cescode.com. 

5. What is Public Hearing Process for Site Plan Review and Special Land Use Applications?

After a project has been submitted to the City of the Village Clarkston Building Department for review and all proper information is ready for Planning Commission, the required public hearing is scheduled.
Notice of the public hearing must be mailed to all residents, property owners, and businesses within 300 radial feet of the proposed Conditional Land Use, published in the Newspaper. The State of Michigan Zoning Enabling Act requires at least 15 days advance notice of such public hearings.