Can I live in my garage while I build?

**No.** Three separate documents say so, which gives some idea how settled it is.

**The covenants.** No garage, barn or other outbuilding, and no basement, may at any time be used as a residence, temporarily or permanently. Nor may any building in the process of construction.

**The Accessory Building Regulations.** Buildings erected as accessory buildings shall not be occupied for dwelling purposes **at any time** — and that is spelled out as including any temporary basis, occasional use, or sustained basis.

**Freeman Township.** Accessory buildings erected after the ordinance took effect shall not be occupied for dwelling purposes. Where a basement, cellar or pole building is used for dwelling purposes, it must meet the building code and fire safety requirements and have both a Zoning Compliance permit and an Occupancy Permit.

**Why the rule is this firm.** Accessory buildings are not built to the standards that make a dwelling safe to live in — insulation, egress, fire separation, sanitation. The rule is about safety as much as appearance.

**What this means during a build.** Plan your accommodation elsewhere. Members in good standing can use the cabins or campground.

**One related rule.** No outhouses may be used with accessory buildings, and every residence must have inside toilets with an approved septic system.

*Source: Restrictive Covenants, Article VII, Section 2; Accessory Building Regulations (6/8/2025), item 14; Freeman Township Zoning Ordinance No. 8, Section 4.14.*