Permits for Activities Within the County Road Right of Way
In Accordance with Act 200 of 1969, any activity or use of county road right of way other than for highway travel purposes does require a permit from the Road Commission. A permit is required to build a new drive and/or reconstruct or pave an existing driveway. A completed driveway permit may be required before the Township will issue a land use permit.

Permitted activities are: Driveway construction, utility installation, seismographic exploration and oversize/overweight transport.

Standard mailboxes are allowed without a permit in the road right of way. Permit applications and mailbox installation instructions are available at the office.

Activities which are not normally permitted are: fences, retaining walls, sprinkler systems, landscaping rocks, boulders or berms, filling existing drainage ditches or dumping debris, planting trees, shrubs or bushes that have the potential of obscuring vision and signs, light posts or encroachment considered hazardous by the Road Commission.

Your cooperation will help keep our roadways safe for vehicle traffic and reduce the future maintenance expense of our county road system.


Snowmobiling
Snowmobiles may be operated on Antrim County Roads only at the extreme right side of the road right of way, with the flow of traffic, in accordance with Act 178 of 1971. The road surface may be used when necessary to cross a bridge or culvert, or to cross at a right angle to the road. Snowmobiles must come to a complete stop before entering the roadway and yield to approaching highway vehicles. Snowmobile operation on the roadway is illegal and obstructs snow removal equipment.


Seasonal Load and Speed Limits for Commercial Motor Carriers
Seasonal weight and speed reductions may be enforced during the spring of each year on county roads. Maximum axle loads shall be reduced by 35 percent and shall not exceed 450 pounds per inch of tire width. Travel speed limit is 35 MPH during seasonal restrictions. Contact the office for additional information or a list of All Season County Roads.


Seasonal Roads
The proximity of Grand Traverse Bay, prevailing northwest winds and abrupt topography changes combine to provide Antrim County with an unusual amount of "lake effect" snowfall. As a result, Antrim County receives more annual snowfall, on average, than any other county in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan.

This abundant snowfall provides many recreational opportunities in Antrim County, but limits snowplowing service to the improved county roads. Seasonal roads are often too narrow or otherwise obstructed by natural features to be plowed by the Road Commission in winter. For this reason, please contact the office to find out what level of seasonal maintenance service may be expected on a particular road. This information is especially important if a parcel is being considered as a building site.


Snow Removal Onto Roadways or Highways
In accordance with Act 82 of 1978, a person shall not remove or cause to be removed, snow, ice or slush onto or across a roadway in a manner which obstructs the safety vision of the driver of motor vehicle; or deposit, or cause to be deposited snow, ice or slush on any roadway or highway.

In accordance with Antrim County Board of commissioners Ordinance No. 2 (1977), no person shall park or abandon any vehicle or other objects or occupy the right-or-way of a public road in any manner which interferes with snow removal or maintenance or which encumbers, obstructs or endangers the use of a public highway, street or alley. No person shall deposit on any public highway, street or alley or the right-of-way thereof, snow or ice which has been removed from private driveways or private property.

The Road Commission recommends residents keep the shoulder in front of their driveway clear and also clear snow for a short distance from the driveway in the direction of approaching traffic.