On the shore of Houghton Lake
The front porch of Lake Township.
Trash day, tax bills, board minutes, permits, and records — for year-round residents, summer cottage owners, and everyone in between. Ask a plain question and get a plain answer.
Not sure where to look? Ask the Township →
Get it done
How do I…
Short-term rentals are not permitted
Using a dwelling for short-term rental is prohibited in all zoning districts within Lake Township under the Township Zoning Ordinance. Questions? Contact the Ordinance Enforcement Officer.
Ask Lake Township
A front desk that answers, in plain words.
Type a real question and get a plain-language answer drawn only from the Township's own pages and documents — with the sources shown so you can check them yourself.
“When is my trash picked up?”
Republic Services handles residential trash in Lake Township. Residents use the blue bin; for large items that don't fit, you can call Republic directly at (800) 578-2664. The Township does not run a separate curbside pickup.
Sources from the Township website
Services & departments
Who to reach, and what they do
A small township, run by neighbors. Every office below has a real person, phone, and email — no phone trees.
Township Board & Clerk
- Board meetings: 2nd Tuesday, 7 p.m.
- Minutes, agendas & FOIA requests
- Elections & voter registration
Assessing & Taxes
- Property assessment & tax lookup
- Summer & winter tax payments
- Dog licenses & payments
Land Use & Public Safety
- Zoning, permits & the ordinance index
- Ordinance enforcement & blight
- Lake Township Fire Department
Our place
A township shaped by the water
Lake Township wraps the northwest shore of Houghton Lake — the largest inland lake in Michigan, and the headwaters of the Muskegon River. The communities of Michelson and Nellsville grew up around the old railway and sawmills; today the Houghton Lake Flats and Dead Stream floodings draw osprey, eagles, anglers, and birdwatchers.
Locals call this shore the “Mediterranean of the North.” It is a place of summer cottages and January ice, and the Township's job is to keep it running for everyone who calls it home — full time or for the season.
