Public Act 58 of 2025, which amends Michigan’s Land Division Act, was signed into law on Dec. 23, 2025. The amendments introduce changes that will allow increased land division flexibility, particularly for suburban development, and are expected to help address housing supply constraints.
Key Changes
1. Expanded Division of the First 10 Acres (Effective March 24, 2027)
Beginning on March 24, 2027, the first 10 acres of a parent parcel may be divided into 10 parcels. Under current law, the first 10 acres may only be divided into four parcels, and that limitation remains in place until the new provision becomes effective.
2. Local Ordinance Authority to Allow Additional Parcels (Effective March 24, 2026)
The Act now expressly authorizes municipalities and counties with land division approval authority to adopt ordinances permitting a parent tract to be divided into a greater number of parcels than otherwise allowed by the Act. This local-option provision takes effect on March 24, 2026, and gives communities flexibility to allow higher-density land divisions if they choose. A local government could adopt an ordinance to allow 10 resulting parcels for the first 10 acres of a parent parcel with immediate effect, instead of waiting for the Act to take effect in 2027.
Practical Impact
This amendment significantly expands development potential for qualifying parcels, particularly in suburban areas. By allowing more buildable lots to be created from existing tracts of land, the changes are expected to facilitate residential development and help address Michigan’s ongoing housing shortage. Developers and landowners should also anticipate increased variation among local ordinances as municipalities consider whether to adopt expanded division standards.
