Common Issues Index
Michigan lakefront and streamside ownership comes with unique rights—and responsibilities. Start here for concise overviews of frequent riparian questions, then jump into the full guides when you’re ready.
Riparian Basics
A quick orientation to Michigan riparian law: what “riparian” means, how rights attach to waterfront parcels, and how courts balance reasonable use between neighbors. Covers the classic bundle—access, wharfing out, and reasonable water use—plus how lake shape and local conditions affect what is “reasonable.”
General Principles
Foundational concepts that cut across topics: reasonable use, nuisance, balancing of rights, and how courts weigh evidence when shoreline disputes turn into lawsuits.
Docks & Piers
Where and how you may place a dock depends on riparian lines, interference with navigation, and overall reasonableness. This overview explains common problem areas—length, platforms, boat hoists, shared frontage, and neighbor impacts—and when permits, engineering, or dispute-avoidance strategies become important.
Underwater Boundaries
Property lines don’t stop at the water’s edge—bottomlands matter. We explain how courts project lines lakeward, why round-lake approaches don’t always fit irregular shorelines, and how misaligned extensions lead to dock conflicts, “wedge” disputes, and claims of encroachment.
Road Ends & Shared Access
Public road ends and platted walkways are flashpoints. We outline the limits on docks, overnight mooring, and signage after PA 56 of 2012, the uncertainty that persists, and lessons from recent litigation involving lake-end use and enforcement dynamics.
Easements & Back-Lot Access
Many disputes turn on what an easement actually grants. We explain the difference between access and mooring, typical limits on docks and boat storage for non-riparian parcels, and how platted alleys and paths are interpreted.
Erosion, Seawalls & Natural Shorelines
Waves, ice, and fluctuating levels reshape shorelines. Learn when hard-armoring triggers permits, how natural shoreline techniques compare to seawalls, and why Great Lakes rules can differ from inland-lake standards.
Permits & Approvals
Not every project needs a permit, but many do. This primer covers common triggers under Parts 301/303/325, general vs. individual permits, timing, and practical steps to get compliant work approved without avoidable delay.
Public Trust Doctrine
On the Great Lakes, the State holds most bottomlands in trust for the public; inland lakes present different balances between private title and public rights. We unpack where the public may walk, navigate, or wade—and how those limits interact with riparian control.
Special Assessments & Lake Levels
Lake-level projects and weed control are often funded by Special Assessment Districts. We explain how rolls are created, what “benefit” means, objections and appeals, and the fairness requirements that apply to apportionment.
Buying & Selling Riparian Property
Due diligence for waterfront deals: surveys, title and easements, encroachments, association rules, and open disputes. A straightforward checklist of what to verify before you sign and what to disclose when you sell.
EGLE, DNR, Local Ordinances & HOAs
Multiple layers of authority can touch the same shoreline project. This overview clarifies who regulates what, where local ordinances stop, and how to align association rules with state law to avoid conflicting directives.
Artifical Bodies of Water
Riparian rights currently own run to shorelands that contain a natural body of water. Artificial water bodies like canals, ponds, retension basins, and more are controlled by normal property rules. But that could be changing.
Riparian FAQs
Quick answers to frequent questions on mooring, swim rafts, raft distances, shared frontage, and neighbor conflicts, with direct links to the deeper articles when you need the full context.
Statutes, Guides & References
A curated hub of Michigan statutes, agency materials, and practice guides relevant to riparian ownership, permitting, and lake governance—organized for quick lookup.
About the Project
Why this site exists, who maintains it, and how to get help on a specific issue. Includes contact options and background on our Michigan-focused riparian practice.
These summaries are educational in nature and not legal advice. Facts matter, the law evolves, and outcomes vary. If you have a specific project or dispute, consider a consult to review your parcel, survey, easements, and local rules.