05/09/2025

Coastal Solutions Compendium

Moveable Structure Requirements

Moveable structure standards are local regulations or guidelines that govern the relocation of structures at risk due to coastal erosion or other environmental factors. These standards may require, allow, or provide guidance on moving buildings away from vulnerable areas.

Why it supports resilience:

Relocating structures away from the coastline reduces their exposure to hazards like flooding, storm surges, and erosion.

How it is used:

One approach is to allow for “readily moveable structures” to be located in areas that are susceptible to future erosion so they may be moved by the property owner if that erosion occurs. Another approach is to allow for variances or special exceptions from zoning requirements to be granted if a building needs to be moved landward, such that it encroaches on other setback requirements.

Where there is a need for building moving standards, land division regulations should ensure that properties have enough area to move away from the hazard.

Possible obstacles to implementation:

• The costs associated with moving an entire structure can be significant.
• Finding a suitable space to relocate can be difficult, especially if the surrounding area is already developed.

Example:

Pere Marquette Township High Risk Erosion Overlay Zone

Section 109-19.09 Definitions (g): Readily moveable structure means a small permanent structure (with a total square footage greater than 225 square feet and with a first-floor foundation size less than 3,500 square feet) which is designed, sited and constructed to accomplish relocation at a reasonable cost relative to other structures of the same size and construction. Access to and from the site shall be of sufficient width and acceptable grade to permit the structure to be relocated.

(1) New construction and installations shall meet the following criteria to be considered readily moveable structures:

I. The buildings shall be on pilings, a basement or crawl space. Except as noted below, a slab-on-grade foundation does not meet this criterion.
ii. Above-grade walls shall be either stud wall or solid log construction. Above-grade walls that are constructed of masonry, including stone walls, and concrete poured or concrete block walls do not meet this criterion.

(2) Existing permanent structures shall be considered readily moveable structures if the cost of relocation landward of the required setback distance is not more than 25 percent of the replacement cost of the structure (including any added cost of land) or if the existing structure meets the criteria for new construction in this subsection. A one- or two-car garage which is bolted to a slab foundation, which does not have living space within the structure, and which does not have plumbing or interior walls shall be considered a readily moveable structure if it meets the remainder of the requirements specified in this subsection. Septic systems, tile fields, or other waste-handling facilities are not readily moveable structures.

Tasks for implementing this tool: 

• Conduct an inventory of the coast using aerial photographs and coastal mapping tools (see “How much space does the lake need?” in Chapter II) to identify areas most at risk of erosion, in addition to the location of current structures and potential development parcels.
• Using inventory results, determine if there is an area landward of the coastal setback where structures could be at future risk, but could currently accommodate structures.
  Identify a dimension for the future risk area that is located landward of the setback and require that only readily moveable structures be located in this area.
• Draft the definition of a readily moveable structure and requirements for maximum size, allowable uses, escrow and related standards/limitations.
• Determine whether variances from the requirements are allowed. If so, identify any special provisions to be considered by the Zoning Board.
• Provide training on the changes for members of the Zoning Board of Appeals.