Au Sable River Riparian Use & Ownership Guide

Natural Rivers Zoning & Regulations

Minimum setback from river edge to house or any outbuilding must be 200 feet on the mainstream, north branch, and the south branch of the Au Sable River and 100 feet on all other tributaries. (Except for existing buildings, which are permitted to remain if they were constructed before July 1987)
Natural vegetation in a 75-foot strip along the shoreline must be left undisturbed, except for selective removal of dead trees or shrubs and selective pruning for a filtered view of the river.
Stream alteration, such as damming, dredging, filling or channelization is prohibited unless approved by the DNR.
Permits are required for new or replacement docks. Limitation dimensions are 4 feet by twelve feet with no more than four feet projection into the river. Sod covered log docks are recommended.
No filling of wetlands is permitted.