Riparian rights are the special property rights granted to owners of land that directly touches an inland lake, river or stream. They include reasonable use of the water, exclusive rights to attached bottomlands, and access to navigable waters.

In Michigan, riparian rights apply to inland lakes and streams, while littoral rights apply to properties on the Great Lakes. Littoral owners face additional limits because of state-owned bottomlands.

No. Only lots that directly touch the water are riparian. Back-lot owners may gain limited use of the water through an easement or deeded access.

Unlike other states, Michigan does not recognize lake view as a protected property right.

It depends. In most cases, no. However, for a multi-party dock, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) requires a permit.

It’s a legal principle that ensures the public retains rights to use Michigan’s navigable waters for activities like boating, fishing, and swimming, even while riparian owners control access from their land.

For inland lakes, the riparian owner typically controls the bottomlands to the centerline. For the Great Lakes, bottomlands are held by the State of Michigan in trust.

Only if the easement expressly allows dock installation. If it is a road-end, a separate permit is required. Without that, use may be limited to foot access or recreation.

Michigan follows the doctrine of accretion, meaning property lines can shift naturally as waterlines move.

On inland lakes, many times yes. On the Great Lakes, the Michigan Supreme Court has recognized a limited public right to walk along the shore below the ordinary high-water mark.

A platted access is created in a subdivision plat and may allow certain shared rights. A public road end is a street that runs to the water’s edge.

It depends. Many require EGLE permits, and in some cases natural shoreline protection is preferred or required.

Courts use apportionment methods (such as wedge, perpendicular, or proportionate line) to extend property lines into the water fairly. This area of law is still highly underdeveloped.

Generally no. Associations can only regulate as authorized by their bylaws or covenants, and cannot take away riparian rights that belong to lot owners.

Generally, no. Riparian rights are considered inseparable from the upland parcel that touches the water. However, a riparian can grant an easement to use their riparian property to another.

It gets complicated. Courts look at general reasonableness, traditional use, and contradictory law in attempting to balance competing riparian rights.

No. While you have exclusive use of your bottomlands, other boaters may lawfully travel through the navigable waters.

Legally, all that is required is a deed. However, title review, surveys, seller disclosure statements, and proper deed language should be checked for riparian rights, easements, encroachments, and any restrictions.

Yes, but only within their legal authority. (OLC is currently challenging such laws as being outside Michigan townships' authority. For example, zoning may regulate dock density, setbacks, or marina uses.

If you face a dispute with neighbors, government enforcement, unclear easement language, or are purchasing lakefront property, consulting a riparian rights attorney ensures your rights are protected.