Where do I file my Property Transfer Affidavit?
Property Transfer Affidavit and Principal Residence Exemption forms are filed with the Assessing Department.
Where do I file the Principal Residence Exemption Affidavit?
Property Transfer Affidavit and Principal Residence Exemption forms are filed with the Assessing Department.
What is the deadline to file for Principal Residence Exemption?
You must own and occupy your home by June 1 to be eligible for the Principal Residence Exemption Affidavit for that year.
Where do I file a Request to Rescind the Principal Residence Exemption?
File this form with the Assessing Department.
How do I appeal my assessment?
Contact the Assessing Department to review the record card and the assessment. Protests of the value placed on property are appealed to the March Board of Review. If you feel your home could not be sold for twice the assessed value and have gathered facts to support this, you may have a good case to present to the Board of Review.
Can I find out what the assessments are for my home and my neighbors' homes?
Legal descriptions, addresses, parcel numbers, SEV or taxable values, building details such as year built, square footage, acreage, etc. can be accessed through the Oakland County Property Gateway
How do I get an exemption based on financial need?
All parties wishing to appeal on the basis of financial need must complete a property tax exemption application and return it to the Assessing Office. The appeal is for real property taxes and cannot include special assessments. Final determination is made by the Board of Review.
What are the qualifications to vote in Springfield Township?
- You must be a citizen of the United States and at least 18 years of age on or before the day of the election in which you seek to vote.
- You must have been a resident of Springfield Township for at least 30 days before the election.
- You must be registered to vote in Springfield Township on or before the close of registration preceding the election in which you seek to vote.
How and where can I register to vote?
- At the Springfield Township Clerk’s Office .
- At the nearest branch office of the Secretary of State that provides drivers' licenses.
- By mail (check with the Clerk’s Office about restrictions on first-time absentee voting).
Will I ever have to re-register?
- If you move from one municipality to another, you must re-register.
What if I move within Springfield Township?
Submit a signed notification to the Township Clerk so you can be placed in the proper Township voting precinct, or
Change your address at a branch office of the Secretary of State.
What is my voting precinct?
How do I apply for an absentee ballot?
Contact the Clerk’s Office to request an application form
Can I submit an application by e-mail or allow someone else to sign my name?
An application must be signed by the person requesting the ballot. This signature is then checked against the signature on file. Therefore, an unsigned e-mail application or an application signed for you by someone else cannot be accepted.
Can I deliver my spouse's application and receive his/her ballot?
State law permits you to deliver your spouse's signed absentee ballot application to the Clerk's Office, but does not allow you to receive his/her ballot at that time. Ballots that cannot be handed to the applicant by the Clerk or his/her authorized representative must be sent by mail.
When can I apply for and receive an absentee ballot?
You may apply for an absentee ballot within 75 days of the election in which you want to vote. The Clerk's Office usually begins issuing absentee ballots at least one month before an election or as soon as the ballots are received and verified.
Who administers Springfield Township elections?
The Clerk serves as the Chief Election Officer for the Township and is responsible for administering elections. The Township is also served by a state-mandated Election Commission to oversee certain election-related functions, such as appointment of Election Inspectors, redrawing or consolidation of precincts and testing of ballots and equipment.
What are Election Inspectors?
Election Inspectors are the people you see when you go to your precinct to vote. They issue ballots, check voter eligibility, respond to questions or assist voters as appropriate, maintain records and conduct many other very detailed tasks both during the voting process and after the polls close. For each election cycle, Election Inspectors are required to attend a detailed training workshop conducted by the Clerk. Election Inspectors are paid an hourly rate on Election Day and are also compensated for their attendance at required training sessions.
Who can serve as an Election Inspector?
Those age 18 or over who are qualified and registered voters in the State of Michigan and meet certain other criteria. Under certain conditions, a person age 16 or 17 may also be eligible to serve as an Election Inspector. To obtain an application or learn more about the position, contact the Clerk’s Office.
How do I file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request?
Click here to visit the FOIA information page.
What are the office hours for Springfield Township?
Department business hours are Monday through Friday as follows:
- Assessing, Building, Clerk, Planning, Supervisor, Treasurer: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- Parks and Recreation: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Fire: Monday - Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Friday 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Library hours are Monday through Saturday as follows:
- Mon., Tues. & Thurs. 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Wednesday 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Friday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
All departments are located at the Springfield Township Civic Center except for the Fire Department, whose business office is located at 10280 Rattalee Lake Rd. (Corner of Rattalee Lake Road and Dixie Highway).
Can you give me directions to the Civic Center?
The Springfield Township Civic Center is located at 12000 Davisburg Road, directly across the road from Davisburg Elementary School and just east of the intersection of Davisburg and Ormond Roads.
What school district serves Springfield Township?
Springfield Township is serviced by several public school districts. The western side of the Township is in the Holly Area School District, while the eastern side is in the Clarkston Community School District (except for a small number of properties in the extreme northeast section of the Township which are in the Brandon School District). Several private elementary and secondary schools are also located in Springfield Township.
How many acres do I need to keep a horse on my property?
You need four acres for the first horse and an additional acre for each horse thereafter. For example, if you have seven acres, you may have four horses.
How do I arrange for garbage pick-up?
Springfield Township residents and businesses contract individually with private waste haulers, some of whom also provide limited recycling service. New Township residents are encouraged to check with neighbors regarding their choice of waste haulers.
How do I locate my well and septic tank and field?
Contact the Oakland County Health Division at (248) 858-1280, which issues well and septic permits.
You may also visit the Oakland County web site .
Whom do I call for a water bill status?
Most homes and businesses in Springfield Township do not have water bills since most properties are serviced by individual wells and on-site septic systems. There is one small area (located off of Dixie Highway near its southern entrance to the Township) that is serviced by a public sewage treatment system operated by the Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner. For information, contact the Drain Commissioner's Office at (248) 858-0958 or visit the Oakland County web site .
What cable television company serves Springfield?
Springfield is serviced by
- Comcast Cable. Phone: (888) 266-2278
- AT&T U-Verse may be available in some areas. Phone: (888) 288-2020
Whom do I call regarding road conditions?
Although Springfield Township funds annual dust control and graveling programs, and has also contributed funds to several high-priority projects (such as the Dixie Highway improvements), the Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) is the agency responsible for maintaining public roads in the Township. Contact the RCOC's Citizen Services Department at (248) 858-4804 or visit the Oakland County web site if you have questions or concerns. There are also some roads in the Township that are private, which are usually maintained by a homeowner's or condominium association.
How do I get a burn permit?
You can register for a burn permit online at springfield.burnpermit.us or contact the office of the Springfield Township Fire Department at (248) 625-6699.
I have a basement filled with things I want to get rid of. Any suggestions?
Springfield Township subsidizes an annual Spring Clean-Up for Township residents, usually in April or early May. Call or visit the Civic Center (link to top directory) for more information.
Are facilities available for service group meetings and events?
The Township's Hart Community Center, located at 495 Broadway, is available for such use. For more information, contact the Parks and Recreation Department (link to top directory) for details. The Springfield Township Civic Center is also available for service groups. In addition, there are many other facilities in our Township, such as the Oakland County Parks' Springfield Oaks Activity Center and the Clarkston and Holly School District elementary schools, that are available for such uses.
What newspaper does Springfield use for its legal publication?
Springfield Township currently uses the Oakland Press as its legal publication. Agendas for Township Board, Planning Commission and ZBA meetings are posted on our website in the "meetings" section as soon as they are available. Complete Legal Notices can be found in the Oakland Press and on their website.
Where is the 4-H Fair held?
The 4-H Fair is held at the Springfield Oaks Activity Center at 12451 Andersonville Road, Davisburg, MI 48350. Phone Number (248) 634-8830.
Is hunting allowed in any of the township parks?
Yes, a large portion of Shiawassee Basin Preserve is open to hunting. Maps are available at the Parks and Recreation office or by clicking here.
Can I drop off a registration form after hours?
If you are unable to make it into the Parks and Recreation Office during normal business hours there is an after hours drop box located at the lower level entrance of the Civic Center. Please make sure to enclose your registration form and your payment in your envelope.
Will I receive my security deposit back the night of my facility rental?
No. If everything was acceptable according to the rental agreement, then your security deposit will be refunded in the form of a check within four weeks of your rental.
Can I register over the phone?
Yes, for most programs and events you can register over the phone with a credit card. You can also register online at: www.stpr.us.
Can I pay with a credit card?
Yes, we currently accept Visa, MasterCard and Discover. You can pay with your credit card over the phone at 248-846-6558, on our website at www.stpr.us or by faxing in a completed registration form to 248-846-6538. Registration forms can be found here.
Is horseback riding allowed in any of the Township parks?
No. Horseback riding is prohibited in all the township parks. Due to the rare and fragile ecosystems that are found within the township parks, horses and horseback riding are not permitted.
Can you go fishing at any of the township parks?
There is fishing permitted at the Mill Pond Park where there is an accessible fishing pier. There are also two fishing ponds located at the Davisburg Road entrance of the Shiawassee Basin Preserve.
What is a site plan?
A site plan is a drawing prepared by a surveyor, engineer, architect or landscape architect showing detailed plans for a particular land use or development project. The site plan is used to study both on-site and off-site impacts of a proposed development and compliance with Township ordinances and regulations. A site plan should show existing and proposed topography and grading, parking, landscaping, lighting, access, buildings, storm water management, and other key site features.
Why are some developments considered "Special Land Uses"?
Special Land Uses are also known as Conditional Land Uses or Principal Uses Permitted Subject to Special Conditions. These are uses that may be acceptable in certain situations, but not in others. For example, a use may be acceptable next to a commercial development, but not next to residential property.
What is a PUD?
PUD stands for Planned Unit Development. PUD is a flexible method of combining the legislative process (Zoning) with the administrative process (Site Plan) to typically result in a more innovative, integrated and creative development.
What is a variance?
A variance is a special deviation from ordinance standards granted by the Board of Appeals. A variance typically deals with setback, height or area requirements and is designed to release property owners when a requirement is posing a practical difficulty unique to their property.
What is a site condominium?
A site condominium is a project where individual parcels of land are developed under the rules and procedures of the State Condominium Law rather than the State Land Division Law. A site condominium looks no different than a subdivision developed under the same standards.
Why don't rules apply equally to everyone?
There are two different answers to this question: One is because the Township is divided into various zoning districts, each with its own regulations, and the other is because what is commonly referred to as the “Grandfather Clause.”
The technical term for “Grandfather Clause” is Legal Pre-Existing Non-Conforming Use. This means that although some property or use does not meet current standards, it either met ordinance standards when it started or has existed since before the Township had zoning regulations. Non-conforming rights run with the land and are allowed to continue even though property changes ownership, as long as the use is not abandoned.
What is a Cluster Development?
Clustering is a method of developing property by concentrating building sites in one area, while allowing the balance of the property to be used for common open space or recreation. In Springfield Township, no additional building sites are allowed for clustering.
When are property tax payments due?
Summer property tax payments are sent at the beginning of July and are payable without interest or penalty through September 14. Winter tax payments are sent the beginning of December and are payable without interest or penalty through February 14.
What are my payment options?
There are four different ways to pay your taxes. One is to mail your payment along with the top portion of your tax bill to:
Charter Township of Springfield
12000 Davisburg Road
Davisburg, MI 48350
The second option is to pay at the Township Offices located at 12000 Davisburg Road, across the street from Davisburg Elementary in Davisburg. The third option is to place your payment and the top portion of your tax bill in our drop box located at the front entrance to the Township Offices. The fourth option is to pay your taxes online with a credit card by clicking here. Service charges apply.
What should I do if I don't receive a tax bill?
Tax bills are mailed out twice per year, July 1 and December 1. Failure to receive your tax bill does not exempt taxes from penalties. If you do not receive a tax bill, contact the Treasurer’s Office immediately at (248) 846-6520.
Can I charge my taxes on my credit card?
Yes, you can now pay your taxes with a credit card at the Township offices or online by clicking here. Service charges apply.
How are my taxes calculated?
To estimate what your property tax will be for the year, multiply the current taxable value by the millage rate for your school district. Divide the sum total by 1,000. The balance will be your estimated tax payable. If you do not know what your current taxable value is, call the Treasurers Office at (248) 846-6520.
Should my mortgage company receive the tax bill?
If your taxes are escrowed, your mortgage company should receive a tax bill list. A tax bill will be sent to you for your records. Check your tax bill to see if a mortgage company is listed.
What is the difference between P.R.E. (Primary Residence Exemption) tax base and Non-P.R.E. tax base?
If you own and occupy your home as your principal residence, it may qualify for a principal residence exemption. Secondary residences and businesses are considered Non-P.R.E. and are charged school operating taxes.
My tax bill states Non-P.R.E. tax base. Should it state P.R.E. tax base?
If you own and occupy the property as a principal residence by May 1 of the year being requested, you may qualify for an exemption. An affidavit must be filed with the Assessing Department. Contact the Assessor’s Office at (248) 846-6530 for more information.
My taxes are too high. How can I reduce my taxes?
Call the Assessor’s Office at (248) 846-6530 for information on the valuation of your property.
Can I defer my summer taxes until February 14?
Deferring your summer taxes means you can pay your summer taxes by February 14, instead of September 14, without interest. To be eligible for summer deferment, your total household income for the preceding calendar year must be less than $40,000 and you must meet at least one of the following requirements:
- Senior citizen (Age 62 by December 1 of the current year)
- Paraplegic, quadriplegic
- Eligible serviceman, eligible veteran or eligible widow
- Blind
- Totally and permanently disabled
If you are eligible, you must complete an application for deferment of summer taxes, available from the
Treasurer’s Office and must returned it by September 14th.
Why didn't I receive a stamped tax receipt in the mail?
Due to the high cost of postage, tax receipts are not automatically mailed to taxpayers. If you would like a stamped tax receipt mailed to you, please send a self-addressed, stamped envelope along with your payment.