Welcome to Peninsula Township

​​The Old Mission Peninsula is perhaps Michigan's most unique and scenic township. Unlike the typical six-mile by six-mile-square township, the Old Mission Peninsula is finger-like in shape, projecting approximately 16 miles into Grand Traverse Bay. The township varies from one to three miles in width and encompasses approximately 42 miles of Great Lakes shoreline. Peninsula Township was founded February 3, 1853. The 2020 U.S. Census lists a population of 6,068.

Peninsula Township Offices Closure

Peninsula Township offices are closed* December 19, 2025—January 4, 2026, for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. Staff will be working from home on December 22, 23, 29, and 30, 2025. You may find their email addresses by looking at the staff directory (website opens in new tab).
*The treasurer’s office will be open Monday, December 22, and Tuesday, December 23, from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. and Monday, December 29, from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. to accept property tax payments. Alternatively, you may put your payments in the gray pedestal drop box outside the front door.

Public Hearing Notices

Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing at their regular meeting on December 16, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at the Peninsula Township Hall, 13235 Center Road, Traverse City, MI 49686 231.223.7318. The following applications will be heard:
Request No. 923
Applicant: CF Campbell, JML Design Group, Ltd., 225 E. 16th St, Ste. B, Traverse City, MI 49684 
Property Owner: Acmepen One, LLC, 10602 Bluff Road, Traverse City, MI 49686
Property Address: 10602 Bluff Road, Traverse City, MI 49686
Parcel Code #28-11-625-009-50
Requests: 
  1. Requesting a variance under Section 7.5 of the Zoning Ordinance to reconstruct a single-family dwelling.
  2. Requesting a variance from Section 6.8 of the Zoning Ordinance to construct a single-family dwelling in the road right of way and within the required 25-foot front yard setback.
  3. Requesting a variance from Section 6.8 of the Zoning Ordinance to construct a single-family dwelling within the required 15-foot side yard setback.
  4. Requesting a variance from Section 6.8 of the Zoning Ordinance to construct a single-family dwelling within the required 60-foot ordinary high water mark setback.
  5. Requesting a variance from Section 6.8 of the Zoning Ordinance to construct a single-family dwelling exceeding the maximum required lot coverage of 25 percent to allow for 40 percent lot coverage.
  6. Requesting a variance from Section 6.8 of the Zoning Ordinance to replace a legally nonconforming single-family residence on a lot which does not meet the minimum required lot size of 20,000 square feet or 100 feet in width.
  7. Requesting a variance from Section 7.4 of the Zoning Ordinance to construct a new single family dwelling in the floodplain.
Request No. 928
Applicant: George Freeman, 2988 Ishpeming Trail, Traverse City, MI 49686
Property Owner: The Bluffs Association, Inc, 2888 Bluff Rd, Traverse City, MI 49686
Property Address: 2888 Bluff Rd, Traverse City, MI 49686
Parcel Code #28-11-009-023-00
Requesting a variance under Section 7.4 to add fill in the flood plain to repair the existing seawall.
Please be advised that the public may appear at the hearing in person or by counsel. A copy of the variance applications may be viewed here (website opens in new tab). Written comments may be submitted to the Peninsula Township Planning and Zoning Department at 13235 Center Road, Traverse City, MI 49686, no later than 12:00 p.m. on December 15, 2025. If you are planning to attend the meeting and require any special assistance, please notify the Planning and Zoning Department at 231.223.7318.

​Employment Opportunity – Part-time Peninsula Township Code Enforcement Officer

Peninsula Township is accepting letters of interest/resumes for a part-time Code Enforcement Officer. Appointee must be available nights and weekends. This position is for 15 hours maximum per week. Click here to view the job description (website opens in new tab). Contact Maura Sanders, supervisor, at [email protected] or 231.223.7323. Please submit a letter of interest and/or resume to Becky Chown, township clerk, at [email protected] or by mail to 13235 Center Road, Traverse City, MI 49686.

Township Meetings Streaming on YouTube

Picture
​Most township meetings held at the township hall are streamed live on the township's YouTube channel (website opens in a new tab) and are available for viewing for 30 days after they are held.
Pay property taxes by clicking on Pay Tax Bills button above (website opens in new tab).

Quick Connect

Grand Traverse County Household Hazardous Waste

Sign up is available one month before each event.  Go to the Grand Traverse County Recycle Smart website (website opens in new tab) for details on how to make an appointment.​​ Schedule:​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
  • 2026 Dates TBA 

​The Grand Traverse County Resource Recovery Department (RecycleSmart) will be conducting Scrap Tire Collection Events. 

Appointments are required and can be made by calling the Resource Recovery Department, 231-995-6075 to schedule your appointment.​​​
  • 2026 Dates TBA  

​Donation of Development Rights​

The Township's DDR program may be a great option for you! 
Contact the Planner at 231.223.7314 if you are interested in more information.
The CodeRED system will be used to send critical communications, from evacuation notices to missing child alerts. Sign up here (website opens in new tab)