Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ Questions

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Sections on this page:

  • Assessing
  • Building/Zoning
  • Complaints/Code Enforcement
  • Elections
  • Fire Department
  • Parks
  • Township Board
  • Treasurer/Taxes
  • Water/Sewer

Township Contact Info:


1515 Baldwin St

Jenison MI 49428

616-457-2340

contact@georgetown-mi.gov 


Assessing

  • What does the assessor do? Is the assessor elected?
    • An assessor sets, through a mass market sale study, the assessed value of all properties in the Township. Every aspect of an assessor's job is highly regulated by State of Michigan law. Assessors are not elected as their certification requires several classes and continuing education.
  • What is Principal Residence Exemption or Homestead Exemption?
  • Who is Georgetown's assessor?
    • As of June 2024, Georgetown's assessing services are provided by Ottawa County.
  • What is a property's assessed value?
    • Assessed value is supposed to represent roughly half of true market value. For example, if a property has an assessed value of $100,000, it is worth about $200,000 on the current market.
  • How is assessed value determined?
    • Assessed value is determined by a mass market sale study. The study will show increases or decreases depending on the market.
  • Can the assessor set my property's assessed value to what I purchased the property for?
    • No, in fact, it is illegal for an assessor to do so. Assessed values must be derived from the sale study.
  • If I disagree with my property's assessed value, can I appeal it?
    • Yes, assessed values can only be appealed one time of year at the March Board of Review. Every property owner receives a change of assessment notice in February detailing the tentative change in values from the prior year to the current. If you disagree with what your assessed value is going to change to, you can schedule an appeal with the March Board of Review during the dates and times listed on the change notice.
  • If I disagree with my property's taxable value, can I appeal it?
    • Generally, no. The March Board of Review has very limited authority to adjust a taxable value. It is possible for taxable value to lower if it is a consequence of a different change being appealed by the taxpayer.
      • For example: A resident appeals their assessed value and provides the March Board with compelling evidence to prove the value they think it's worth. The March Board agrees their assessed value is set too high based on the current market prices and they agree to adjust the assessed value to a number that happens to be lower than the current taxable value. By law, taxable value cannot exceed assessed value, so in this situation, taxable value must also drop. Remember that this was an appeal of an assessed value, not the taxable, and the taxable value dropped only as a consequence of assessed value dropping below the taxable value.

Building/Zoning

Complaints/Code Enforcement

  • Where can I find the complaint form?
  • Can I file an anonymous complaint?
    • No, as of February 2021, the Township Board has required that all complaint forms include the complainant's name and contact information. Forms submitted missing this information or with falsified information will be disregarded.
  • If I file a complaint, will I get notified about how it resolved?
    • No, if you file a complaint that requires our code enforcement officer to follow up on it, all correspondance regarding the complaint will be with the property owner against whom the complaint was made.
  • Can a camper be parked in a driveway?
    • Campers, trailers, and other recreational vehicles cannot be stored in a driveway unless they are located on the side of the home or in the rear yard. A recreational vehicle stored on the side of a home cannot project past the front face of the home.
      • The only exception to this ordinance is from May 1 through October 31 when recreational vehicles may be parked/stored in the driveway in front of a home for up to 5 days then they must move for at least 2 days before returning. This allows for campers to be packed/unpacked during the summer season.
  • How long does someone's lawn have to be before it's a violation of the ordinance?
    • 10 inches. A lawn must be consistently 10" before we can enforce on a complaint about it. 
  • If my neighbor's tree is growing over onto my property, what can be done about it?
    • If you have attempted to communicate your concerns with your neighbor to no effect, you are allowed to cut back a tree's overgrowth to your property line. In other words, whatever is crossing over onto your property can be trimmed back.
  • My neighbor has a dead/dying tree near the property line. I am afraid it will fall and cause property damage on my property. What can the Township do about this?
    • The township does not get involved with dead/dying trees as we have no code about them we can enforce. Taking care of a dead/dying tree near a property line is a civil matter between you and your neighbor.
  • What can I do if my neighbor won't clean up their leaves in the fall and they blow over onto my property?
    • Unfortunately, not much. There are no ordinances requiring leaves be picked up (leaves cannot be burned, however). We recommend talking to your neighbor, but ultimately nothing can be enforced by the township on this issue.
  • Does Georgetown have a noise ordinance?
    • Yes. Official quiet hours per the ordinance are between 11 PM and 7 AM. If there is a breach of peace at any time of day, please call Ottawa County Central Dispatch for enforcement (For non-emergencies dial: 800-249-0911).
  • Who is responsible for sidewalk maintanence and plowing?
    • Sidewalks are the responsibility of the owner of the property upon which the sidewalk is situated. Any sidewalk repairs or snow plowing are the responsibility of that property owner.
  • There are several utility flags in my yard. How do I find out what work will be performed on my property?
    • All right-of-way permits are approved by the Ottawa County Road Commission. You can call the Road Commission at 616-842-5400 or use the Miss Dig online dashboard to find out what is being installed in the right-of-way.
  • Work was performed in my right-of-way and a sprinkler head was damaged during the project. Who is responsible for repairing the sprinkler head and restoring my yard?
    • The company that performed the work is responsible for yard restoration. As far as repairing a sprinkler head, it may depend on the company's policy. The purpose of a right-of-way is for utility lines to be run to your home. Really, nothing, including sprinkler heads and landscaping, are supposed to be in the right-of-way, and because of that, companies may not restore your sprinkler head. You will have to contact the company that performed the work to file a damage complaint with them.
  • I filed a complaint with the utility company that did work in my right-of-way and they are not responding. What do I do?
  • Who do I call regarding safety concerns on streets, such as mailboxes being blocked or cars being parked in hazardous locations?
    • The Ottawa County Sheriff's Department. Their non-emergency line is: 800-249-0911. The Sheriff's Department will often be able to act much quicker than our code enforcement department can and they can enforce Michigan Vehicle Code.
  • Who do I call if a solicitor came to my door without a Township permit?
    • Solicitors in Georgetown are required to have a permit. If a solicitor cannot produce a permit for you, the quickest way to alert someone to that solicitor is by calling the Ottawa County Sheriff's Department. Their non-emergency line is: 800-249-0911. Please also let us know what company they are from so our code enforcement officer can be on the lookout for the solicitor during their shift.
  • If my HOA does not allow soliciting, can Georgetown enforce that?
    • No. Georgetown allows soliciting and we have regulations for it. If your HOA does not allow soliciting, it is up to your HOA to enforce.
  • My HOA does not allow fireworks, but Georgetown does; what can Georgetown do for me if I want to set off fireworks in my neighborhood?
    • Nothing, unfortunately. HOAs can be far more restrictive than Georgetown's ordinance. It would be between you and your HOA to figure out a solution.
  • I think my neighbor is operating a Short-Term Rental (VRBO, AirB&B) that does not comply with the ordinance. What can I do?

Elections

  • How do I apply for an absentee ballot?
  • How do I register to vote?
  • How do I change my party affiliation?
    • Georgetown does not, nor does any municipality, keep track of your party affiliation. This is often confusing to residents because you must declare which party you would like to receive a ballot for in a Presidential Primary. There's no place on your electronic voter record to enter a party affiliation.
  • If the Township does not keep track of my party affiliation, why do I receive items in the mail from a specific party?
    • Municipalities have no control over what political parties mail out. They could have put you on their mailing list for a number of reasons:
      • You've interacted with the party in the past
      • You've responded to a text or email sent by the party
      • Simply, they're mailing everybody on the voter registry or every residence in a district.
    • If you would like to stop receiving correspondence from a political party, you need to contact the local branch of that party to request they stop.
  • How can I find information on candidates or ballot questions?
    • Easy: Google it! Usually candidates and the entities proposing ballot questions (like schools when they propose millage renewals) have information on their websites. Sometimes there are local groups committed to providing voters with candidate interviews or articles about the ballot questions. As a municipality, Georgetown and its staff cannot provide residents with information on candidates and we also cannot interpret proposal language for you.
  • Why do I keep receiving notices in the mail saying I need to register to vote or to apply for an absentee ballot? I thought I was already registered to vote.
    • Political parties will send a number of flyers, postcards, and mailings in the postal mail during election seasons encouraging you to register to vote and apply for an absentee ballot---even if you're already registered to vote and if you've already applied for your absentee ballot. The parties will mail things en mass and have no idea if you've already taken all the proper steps to register or receive your ballot. If you know you're registered and you know you've already received an absentee ballot, you can safely ignore the mailings from political parties.
  • What hours are the polls open?
    • On election day polls are open 7am to 8pm. Absentee ballots MUST be back to the Township office BEFORE 8pm. Everyone in line at a precinct BEFORE 8pm is allowed to vote.
  • Where do I find sample ballots?
  • Where do I vote?
  • Why didn't I receive an absentee ballot?
  • Why did my spouse get their absentee ballot, but I did not?
    • There are several reasons this may be. The most common reasons tend to be:
      • You did not submit an application for a ballot and your spouse did.
      • You did not check the appropriate boxes on the application and your spouse did.
      • You did not request to be on the permanent absentee ballot list and your spouse did.
  • I received an absentee ballot, but I did not apply for one!
    • Actually, you probably did. At the beginning of a busy election year, often only one application will be sent to you that covers all elections that year. Most likely, you checked the box requesting we send you ballots for all elections you're eligible to vote in that year. Sometimes months will passbetween that initial application and the next election, and it's reasonable to forget you checked that box.
      • If you are concerned you received a ballot, but did not apply for one, please contact our elections department at 616-457-2340 ext. 304 or email us at contact@georgetown-mi.gov and we will check into your application for you.
  • Shouldn't I be eligible to vote in all elections?
    • No. For school elections, only voters who live in those specific districts may vote. For example, if only Jenison Public Schools are having a vote for a millage, residents who live in Hudsonville and Grandville public schools are not eligible to vote.
    • Similarly, if you are one of our Grandville Public Schools district residents and there is an election for an Ottawa Area ISD millage, you will not be eligible to vote on it. Even though you live in Ottawa County, your school taxes are paid to Grandville Public Schools, which is part of Kent ISD. When there is a Kent ISD millage, you will be able to vote on that.
  • Why isn't there early voting for a school election?
    • Early voting only occurs during State-wide or Federal elections; a local school election does not qualify as either a State-wide or Federal election.

Fire Department

  • Can I have a fire pit on my property?
    • Yes, you may have a fire pit. All residential properties are allowed a fire pit no larger than 3 feet in diameter. The pit must be 10 feet away from property lines and a safe distance from all structures. Generally, 10 feet is considered safe.
  • May I burn yard waste like fallen leaves or grass clippings?
    • No. You can only burn clean wood in your fire pit. Burning leaves and grass clippings is not allowed.
      • However, properties that are Zoned Agricultural or Rural Residential can request a burn permit (no cost). Once granted a burn permit, the property owner must contact the Township office during office hours before the date they intend to burn. Township staff confirm information with the property owner and then relay that information to Ottawa County Central Dispatch so dispatch is aware of a burn occurring.
  • My neighbor is burning building materials (like wood or siding). Who do I call about this?
    • Ottawa County Central Dispatch. If you feel it is an emergency dial 911. If you do not feel it is an emergency, call the non-emergency line at 800-249-0911. Dispatch will take information from you and relay it to our fire department if necessary.
  • Does the Fire Department perform car seat checks?
    • No, we do not check car seats. We recommend asking your pediatrician or children's hospitals for resources about car seat safety.
  • Does the Fire Department take empty fire extinguishers?
    • No, we do not service or dispose of fire extinguishers. We recommend taking empty fire extinguishers to a hazardous waste recycling facility (like Ottawa County's Hazardous Waste and Recycling facility on Roger Dr in Hudsonville). Fire protections companies who perform fire safety inspections for commercial properties may also take empty fire extinguishers or have resources for repairing broken fire extinguishers.
  • When can I shoot off fireworks?
    • The Michigan Fireworks Safety Act allows the discharge of fireworks on the following days:
      • December 31, after 11 AM and until 1 AM on January 1
      • On Saturday and Sunday immediately preceding Memorial Day after 11 AM and until 11:45 PM on each of those days.
      • On June 29 - July 4, after 11 AM and until 11:45 PM on each of those days.
        • If July 5 is a Friday or a Saturday, fireworks may be discharged on July 5 after 11 AM and until 11:45 PM.
      • On Saturday and Sunday immediately preceding Labor Day, after 11 AM and until 11:45 PM on each of those days.

Parks

  • Are dogs allowed at the parks?
    • Yes, dogs are allowed at our parks, but they must remain on their leashes. Dogs are not allowed on the beach at 8th Avenue Park.
  • How much does it cost to enter a park?
    • Most of our parks are free of charge for entry. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, there is a fee for non-residents to get into 8th Avenue Park: $5.00 per adult and $3.00 per child. Payments can only be made with debit/credit card at the park entrance.
  • How much does it cost to rent a pavilion?
    • It depends if you are a resident or non-resident.
      • Residents: $75.00 per block of time.
      • Non-Residents; $175.00 per block of time.
  • Which Georgetown parks have a pavilion to rent?
  • Which Georgetown parks have a splashpad?
    • Rosewood and Maplewood parks both have splashpads.
  • When do the bathrooms open at the parks?
    • Bathrooms are available Memorial Day through Labor Day when we have our seasonal park attendants. Bathrooms open around 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM when the attendants' shifts start.
  • Can I rent pavilions at Hager Park?
  • Does Georgetown test the water at Maplewood Park and 8th Ave Park?


Township Board

Treasurer/Taxes

  • Is the assessor or the treasurer responsible for collecting property taxes?
    • The treasurer is responsible for collecting taxes. The assessor is responsible for setting assessed values of properties.
  • How are property taxes calculated?
    • Taxes are calculated by multiplying your property's taxable value by the millage rate and dividing by 1,000, or multiplying the number of thousands of your taxable value by the millage rate.
      • For example, if your property's taxable value is 200,000, and the millage rate is 28 mills, you could do either:
        • 200,000 X 28 = 5,600,000/1,000 = $5,600 in annual property taxes
        • 200 X 28 = $5,600 in annual property taxes.
  • Can the treasurer change the millage rates?
    • No, the treasurer cannot change millage rates. The Township Board only has control over changing the Township millage rate, which they can only do by majority vote at a Board meeting.
      • The Board does not have authority to change any other millage rate.
      • As of 2024, the Township millage rate is 2.25 mills, or $2.25 for every $1,000 of taxable value. So, for a property with a taxable value of 200,000, you can figure the amount of Township tax by calculating 200 X 2.25 = $450.00.
  • Does Georgetown Township have a Senior Citizen Tax Exemption?
    • No. Property tax law is governed by the State of Michigan, and there is no senior citizen tax exemption in Michigan.
  • What is personal property tax?
    • Personal property tax is a tax on the assets owned by a business at a business location. It is not the physical land or building on the property, but the furniture, machinery, computer equipment, etc, owned by a business. Personal property tax forms can only be filed at the beginning of the year (usually the deadline is February 20), with a final opportunity for filing at the March Board of Review. Once the March Board closes, there are no further opportunies for filing. Personal property tax is regulated entirely by the State of Michigan. Click here to learn more about personal property tax.
  • What is the small business personal property tax exemption?

Water/Sewer

  • Who do I call in the event of a water emergency when the office is closed?
    • If you notice a water main leak or a similar situation outside of normal business hours you must call Ottawa County Central Dispatch. For true emergencies dial 911. For less urgent situations, call the non-emergency number 800-249-0911.
  • Does Georgetown do any kind of water bill adjustments for summer sprinkling?
    • Your winter water usage determines your summer sewer rate. We realize that when you irrigate lawns and gardens in summer, that water is not going back into the sewer system, so we use your winter-most quarter (water that would all be going back into the sewer system that time of year) and use that rate as your summer sewer rate.
  • How do I start water service at my new house?
  • Where do I pay my water/sewer bill?
  • How do I check for leaks?
    • Toilets are the most common culprit of leaks. To test for toilet leaks, add a couple drops of food coloring or colorful water (like Gatorade) to the tank of the toilet. Don't flush the toilet for a couple hours and then check for coloring in the toilet bowl, or check to see if the color has left the tank. If color has left the tank, there is a leak somewhere.
    • You can also watch your water meter. Make sure no one is using water, read your meter, and then in a couple hours, read it again. If it has registered use even though no one used water during that time, there is likely a leak somewhere.
  • From where does Georgetown get its water supply?
    • Georgetown purchases water from the City of Wyoming, who sources their water from Lake Michigan. Several municipalities rely on Wyoming for water treatment services.
  • Does Georgetown have its own sewer treatment plant?
    • No, Georgetown purchases sewage treatment services from the City of Grandville. Several municipalities rely on Grandville for sewage treatment services.