Frequently Asked Questions

Below you will find information that might help you understand how to find things or learn about information you might need to know about your city or town.

Assessing Office

Assessments of each property are reviewed annually. The assessed values are calculated as of tax day each year, which is December 31.
Assessing Office
Property tax generates approximately 37% of the city's operating revenue.
Assessing Office
An assessment is 50% of the appraised value done by an appraiser using "mass appraisal methods", and is limited by the current State Standards for Mass Appraisal and the amount of funding provided for government assessment work. Market value, determined by fee appraisals, is completed by using the most current sales to arrive at a "current market value". The intended purpose of this type of appraisal may require a much more detailed review of various elements of the appraisal process and methods and how those impact value.
Assessing Office
No. Taxable value, once established, can only rise by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to a maximum of 5% per year, except in the year following a sale. Assessed values may experience a gain greater or less than the CPI or 5% because they are not at 50% of the true cash value/market value.
Assessing Office
Appeals can be started with the Assessment Office, then the Board of Review and finally with the Michigan Tax Tribunal. Proceeding in this order is critical for advancement to the next level, and in many cases, the next level is more formal and farther away. See the calendar of events and contact our office for more details.
Assessing Office
Yes. All property transfers of ownership occurring in the State of Michigan since 1994 must be reported on a Property Transfer Affidavit form to the local Assessing Office within 45 days of sale or transfer to avoid penalties.
Assessing Office
Personal residences are properties that serve as your principal home. They are not cottages, summer homes, etc. Homesteads are the property at which you reside, receive your mail, etc., for the majority of the year. The local Ludington Area School tax is removed on these properties when you declare them to be your "personal residence" and therefore your property taxes are reduced. You may not have more than one "personal residence".
Assessing Office
You must file the personal residence exemption with the local Assessor and meet the "Own and Occupy by June 1st " standard test. If you do, the tax reduction will occur with the summer billing of the next year.
Assessing Office
Yes. Submit a completed form immediately. Some people may not qualify for the current year, but may in the next. Each case is reviewed individually and may have circumstances that allow for previous years to be corrected. Without an application, no action is taken.
Assessing Office
No. This attempt to receive a dual benefit can result in full taxes being levied on both properties for all previous years, due and payable immediately, a severe penalty and shock to one's budget.
Assessing Office
Yes. However, if at some point you declare yourself a Florida resident and/or are spending more than 6 months there, then you may no longer qualify for the Michigan Exemption.
Assessing Office
Poverty/Hardship Exemption Forms are for 1-year exemptions from a portion of property taxes and must be requested annually. To be considered for this exemption, you must have an income less than or equal to the Federal Guidelines for the Poverty Income Level, then you need to complete a form requesting this exemption and supply the necessary documents to support your request.

Some of the documents required are State and Federal Income Tax Returns, income and expense statements, and their supporting verification documents.

Some people may only qualify 1 year and not the next, but in order to be considered they must reapply annually in the month of December.
Assessing Office
All addresses are assigned by the City Assessor's Office. Contact the office by phone at 231-843-2956.
Assessing Office

City Treasurer

Property tax millage rates are attached through Quick Links.
City Treasurer
Winter tax bills are issued December 1st each year.
City Treasurer
Due date is February 14th. After February 14th, a 3 % penalty applies to the balance. March 1st, any remaining balance is collected by Mason County Treasurer.
City Treasurer
Summer tax bills are issued September 1st each year.
City Treasurer
Due date is October 9th. After October 9th, a 4% fee applies to the balance. March 1st, any remaining balance is collected by Mason County Treasurer.
City Treasurer
Water and Sewer Rates available through Quick Links.
City Treasurer
Water & sewage usage is billed 4 times each year, and is due on 20th of month billed. After 20th of month, a 10% penalty is applied to current balance.
City Treasurer

Outdoor Dining

Outdoor dining areas are permitted on the same lot as the eating establishment. If a sidewalk is used for outdoor dining, it shall be immediately adjacent to and abutting the eating establishment with the exception of those establishments on corners that do not have parallel parking spaces. Egress from the building must be maintained free of obstruction per the Michigan Building Code and the National Fire Prevention Code.
Outdoor Dining
A minimum of 5 feet must be allowed for the pedestrian right of way. This includes sidewalk areas with streetlights and tree wells.
Outdoor Dining
An authorized "bump-out" must be obtained at the owner's expense. A copy of the "bump-out" plan can be picked up from the Zoning Department. An inspection must be made upon installation by the City Building Inspector. The City Department of Public Works will store the "bump-out" in the off season (no furniture, barriers or umbrellas). The City will not be responsible for any damage that may occur.
Outdoor Dining
The City of Ludington requires that an outdoor dining application along with a site plan of the area be submitted. An initial fee of $50 is required. There will be a renewal fee each year of $25.

The applicant must also comply with all requirements of the Michigan Department of Transportation (Sidewalk Café Permit) and the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (if alcohol will be served). Copies of the approved permits must be submitted to the City.
Outdoor Dining
The permit holder is required to produce, at the time of submission, and maintain liability insurance coverage in an amount of $1,000,000/53,000,000 naming the City as an additional insured thereon.
Outdoor Dining
Alcohol can be served with the approval of the Michigan Liquor Control Commission. A removable 36-inch barrier designating the service area must be used as required by Liquor Control.
Outdoor Dining
All tables, chairs, barriers and umbrellas must be compatible with he standards set forth in the Downtown Ludington Outdoor Dining Design Guideline, and cannot extend into the pedestrian right of way. All furniture, barriers and umbrellas must be removed and stored off the sidewalk inside the establishment for extended periods of non-use and during the off season. A copy of the Design Guidelines can be obtained from he City of Ludington Zoning Department or online.
Outdoor Dining
No food preparation or food preparation equipment will be allowed in the outside dining area with the exception of rooftop dining areas. This includes heating or cooking on open flames.
Outdoor Dining
Outdoor dinging will be allowed during the hours of operation of the establishment from May 1st through November 1st for establishments using a pedestrian right of way.
Outdoor Dining
Contact the City Zoning Administrator at 231-843-2956 or by email with any questions or concerns regarding outdoor dining areas.
Outdoor Dining

Municipal Marina

Ludington Municipal Marina is located on Pere Marquette Lake, just 2 blocks from Lake Michigan, within the city limits of Ludington, Michigan. Easy access to and from Lake Michigan and close proximity to the downtown Ludington business district make this deep water protected harbor an ideal location for boaters. The marina is situated 1 block south of U.S. 10 (the main street in Ludington) on the west side of town, at Loomis and William Streets.

Coming into the Ludington Harbor from Lake Michigan, the marina is located on the north side of the channel, just past the U.S. Coast Guard Station.
Municipal Marina
The marina is open 7 days a week from April 15 through October 15. Operating hours are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. during the summer months. Spring and fall hours are varied based upon boating activity, weather conditions etc., but generally are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and slightly longer hours on weekends.
Municipal Marina
The marina offers 174 slips, with floating pier, permanent pier, and broadside dockage available. We have 86 seasonal slips and 88 transient slips available. Docks range from 30 to 60 feet in length with broadside accommodation for vessels up to 125 feet in length. All docks have 30 amp power, water and cable TV hook-ups, with some docks equipped with 50 amp electrical service.
Municipal Marina
Ludington Municipal Marina offers many amenities for your boating pleasure. Please access the amenities resource for a complete list. There are no mechanics or haul-out services at the marina.
Municipal Marina
The State of Michigan DNRE Waterways Commission sets the seasonal and transient rates for the Ludington Municipal Marina. Access the rates resource for the current dockage rate schedule. Sorry, but weekly, monthly and half-season rates are not available at this time.
Municipal Marina
Yes. For seasonal slip reservations, please call Marina Manager Jim Christensen at 231-843-9611 from April 15 through October 15, or contact the off-season contact at 231-845-6237. Presently, there is a waiting list for seasonal slips. For transient slip reservations, please call the marina after April 15 at 231-843-9611. Transient reservations are not taken during our off-season and are not taken via the Internet. Also, specific slips cannot be reserved, but we will try to accommodate your needs.
Municipal Marina
Transient boaters can stay up to 14 days. Based upon boating activity, extensions may be allowed with approval of the marina manager.
Municipal Marina
Channels 9 and 16 are scanned and continuously monitored. Channel 16 is used only as a distress channel. Please contact the marina on channel 9 for information.
Municipal Marina
A public boat launch is located just 2 blocks from the marina at the west end of Loomis Street, on Lake Michigan. Another public launch site is located on Pere Marquette Lake, off Washington Avenue, about 1/2 mile from the marina.
Municipal Marina
Due to limited parking, trailers of any type are not allowed in marina parking lots. We will provide directions to a public trailer parking area upon your arrival.
Municipal Marina
Sorry! City ordinance does not allow camping or any overnight occupancy of a vehicle within the marina premises. There are several public and private campgrounds nearby. Also, motor homes and camper trailers are not allowed to park in the marina parking lots.
Municipal Marina
Currently, the marina has about 7 feet of water at the entrance. Inside the marina, the water depth is great enough to accommodate most watercraft. If in doubt, call the marina office at 231-843-9611.
Municipal Marina
In fairness to other boaters awaiting dockage, we must ask all boaters to either re-register or vacate their slip by noon.
Municipal Marina
No, but Ludington Municipal Marina has top notch charter-boat captains that offer their services for hire. They really know how to catch fish!
Municipal Marina

Public Works

The City picks up branches in the city right-of-way year-round at no extra charge to residents. To schedule a pick up please call the Department of Public Works at 231-843-2873 and leave your address and location of the pile. Please place piles parallels to the roadside in the right-of-way (between curb and sidewalk, or just off the roadside or alley on the grass) in piles less than 10-feet wide. Please do not mix loose yard waste material in with brush piles - we are unable to collect mixed piles.
Brush will be picked up within 10 working days, (weather permitting). Please do not block roadways or impede traffic with your brush placement. Please do not mix brush and loose material, such as leaves or grass clippings. Loose yard waste material must be separated for yard waste pick up.
Public Works
Call the Department of Public Works at 231-843-2873, and the tree will be inspected to see if it needs to be cut down or trimmed. If determined the tree needs to be cut down a yellow paint mark will be placed on the trunk of the tree, and it will be cut down in the winter when the ground is hard. The stump will be ground in early spring and new grass seed will be planted. To request to have your property added to the right-of-way tree replacement list please call the DPW at 231-843-2873 so the Department of Public Works and the City of Ludington Tree Advisory Committee can work together to determine if your right-of-way location can support a replacement tree.
Please note: The City of Ludington cuts down trees in the right of way that are dead, diseased, or which cause traffic visibility, or other safety concern issues.
The City of Ludington The Tree Advisory Board meets at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall on the first Tuesday of each month and meetings are open to the public.
Public Works
You have 2 choices to dispose of your Bulk Item and extra trash:
The Bulk Item program allows you the opportunity to dispose of up to two Bulk Items (or six bags of extra trash) at no extra cost to you on your first refuse pick up day of each month. Some restrictions apply for apartments, Condos, and Commercial properties - please check the Department of Public Works web page for more info or call 231-843-2873.
You can dispose of bulk items or extra trash at later in the month by purchasing the appropriate sticker at City Hall and placing it on the item(s) placed out to the curb with your regular refuse. Republic Services will pick up stickered items at curbside on your normal refuse pick up day. Bulk Item stickers are $5.00, Extra Trash Stickers are $2.00, and Freon Appliance Stickers are $40.00. Bulk items and extra trash left in the right-of-way without the appropriate collection stickers may result in code enforcement fines.
Public Works
Street light outages can be reported directly to Consumers Energy at https://streetlights.consumersenergy.com/
Residents can also use the Consumers Energy online streetlight outage page to track the status of existing street light requests for repair.
If you are unable to access the online Consumers Energy streetlight outage tool please report the outage to the Department of Public Works at 231-843-2873, and it will be forwarded onto Consumers Energy.
Public Works
The City of Ludington has a 50/50 sidewalk replacement program which provides for the City of Ludington to pay half of the cost for replacing damaged or hazardous sidewalks. Please access the sidewalk replacement page for further information or call the DPW office at 231-843-2873
Public Works
The City of Ludington will pick up dead animals that are in the right-of-way or which are in the street. Please report to the Department of Public Works at 231-843-2873. DPW crews are unable to collect dead animals that are located on private property.
Public Works
Refuse collection will be delayed 1 working day after the following holidays:
New Years’ Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day
For more information contact Republic Services: 231-723-4850
Public Works
Garbage must be placed at the curb before 7 a.m. on the day of your scheduled pickup to be collected on your designated refuse and recycling collection day. Refuse and recycling can be placed at the curb as early as 5:00 pm the night before your designated collection day. If your garbage was placed at the curb as instructed and your collection was missed please call Republic Services at: 231-723-4850
Public Works
Leaves are collected curbside throughout the City of Ludington in the Fall Only. Spring leaves must be disposed of through the City's seasonal yard waste program or dropped off to the City's Leaf Corral (open limited hours in April for Spring drop off and Oct/Nov for Fall drop off). Hours will be posted on the Leaf Corral gate - located on Bryant just East of the Cemetery.
In the Fall leaf collection crews begin picking up leaves curbside in late October or early November depending on weather conditions and rate of leaf fall.
Please access the fall leaf-pickup and seasonal yard waste program pages on this website for more detailed information.
Public Works
No.
The City of Ludington does not collect leaves at the curb in the Spring. Please visit the leaf collection and seasonal yard waste program pages on this website for more detailed information on options for disposing of leaves in the Spring.
Public Works

General Questions

Animal Control - 231-843-8644 Building Department - 231-757-9345 County Clerk - 231-843-8202 County Treasurer - 231-843-8411 Friend of the Court - 231-843-4791 Library - 231-843-8465 Magistrate - 231-843-9717 Prosecutor - 231-845-7377 Register of Deeds - 231-843-4466

For additional contact information, access the staff directory.
General Questions
You can reach the Office of the Secretary of State at 231-843-4353.
General Questions
Cartier Park - 231-845-1522 Ludington State Park - 231-843-8671 Memorial Tree Park - 231-843-9361
General Questions
You can reach the Post Office at 231-843-8646.
General Questions
Call 231-843-3377 to reach the Social Security Office.
General Questions
Call 231-745-3111, and follow the pre-recorded instructions.
General Questions
Access the Secretary of State's website.
General Questions
1st Ward - Dick Rathsack 2nd Ward - Wally Taranko 3rd Ward - Les Johnson 4th Ward - Mike Krauch 5th Ward - Nick Tykoski 6th Ward - Gary Castonia Councilor-At-Large - Kaye Ferguson-Holman

For more information access the City Council page.
General Questions
1st Ward - Lakeview School
2nd Ward - Ludington High School- Peterson Auditorium
3rd Ward - Ludington City Hall
4th Ward - Danish Brotherhood Hall
5th Ward - Lakeshore Resource Network
6th Ward - Emanuel Lutheran Church

For more information, access the city's resource on elections.
General Questions

Boating Questions

The Loomis Street Boat Launch is at the west end of Loomis Street. The Copeyon Park Boat Launch is on South Washington Avenue.

Fish cleaning and restroom facilities available at each location.
Boating Questions
Access the city's resource on parking fees for more information.
Boating Questions
There is no overnight parking allowed in any City parking lots. You may call the private storage facility of your choice to make arrangements.
Boating Questions

Utility Maintenance

Call City Hall Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 231-845-6237; after hours, weekends and holidays call Central Dispatch at 231-869-5858.
Utility Maintenance

Elections

You can check your status online at the https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/RegisterVoter/Index.
Elections
In the State of Michigan, your voter registration follows your drivers' license: if you move and notify the Michigan Secretary of State's office of your new address, your voter's registration will also be changed to reflect your new address.
Elections
Once you register to vote, you are always registered to vote. In the State of Michigan, your voter registration follows your drivers' license: if you move and notify the Michigan Secretary of State's office of your new address, your voter's registration will also be changed to reflect your new address.
Elections
Polling locations in Midland are open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Elections
Your polling location, as well as other voter information specific to you, can be found https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/RegisterVoter/Index
Elections
Those eligible to vote absentee must meet certain requirements. Visit our Absentee Voting page to find out more.
Elections
There are several ways to process a change of address: 1) Visit the Secretary of State's Office 2) Visit the City/Township Clerk's Office (in which you reside) 3) A change of address within the same jurisdiction can be made in writing and mailed to the appropriate Clerk.
Elections
1st Ward - Ludington City Hall Community Room
2nd Ward - Trinity Evangelical Church
3rd Ward - Ludington City Hall Council Chambers
4th Ward - Danish Brotherhood Hall
5th Ward - Ludington Fire Station
6th Ward - Emanuel Lutheran Church

For more information, access the city's resource on elections.
Elections

Frequently Asked Questions

Assessing Office

When do assessments occur?

How much revenue is generated by the property tax?

What is the difference between an assessment and market value?

Are taxable value and assessed value the same?

If I do not like my assessment what can I do?

Am I required to file a Property Transfer Affidavit?

What are Personal Residence Exemptions?

When can I receive a Personal Residence Exemption?

What if I didn't file? Can I file now?

Can I take the house in town as my homestead and my wife take the cottage as hers?

We move to Florida in the winter; can I still have a Michigan Homestead Exemption?

What is a Poverty/Hardship Exemption? How do I qualify? And when do I file?

How are street addresses assigned?

City Treasurer

What are the millage rates for the city taxes?

When are winter tax amounts available?

What is the last day to pay Winter taxes?

When are summer tax amounts available?

What is the last day to pay summer taxes?

What is the current water rate?

When is my water bill due?

Outdoor Dining

Where can an outdoor dining area be located?

How much of the sidewalk can be used for a dining area?

What if there is not a 5-foot right of way?

Are there any permits and fees required for the outdoor dining area?

Is insurance required?

Can an outdoor dining area serve alcohol?

What type of furniture can be used in the dining area?

Can food be prepared outdoors within the dining area?

When will outdoor dining be allowed?

Where can questions or concerns be addressed?

Municipal Marina

Where is the marina located?

What are the marina hours and days of operation?

How many slips does the Ludington Municipal Marina offer?

What services and amenities are provided at the Ludington Municipal Marina?

What are slip rates?

Do you take reservations at the marina?

How long can I stay at the marina?

What radio channels do you monitor?

Where can I launch my boat?

Where can I park my boat trailer?

Can we camp at the marina?

What is the water depth at the marina?

What is "check-out" time?

Does the marina offer boat rentals?

Public Works

How do I dispose of large branches that I have trimmed from my trees?

The tree that is located in the right of way has died, what do I do?

How do I dispose of bulk items and extra trash?

My streetlight is out, what do I do?

How do I have my hazardous sidewalk replaced?

There is a dead animal in front of my home, what can I do?

Is the garbage running late because of the holiday?

My garbage wasn’t picked up, what do I do?

When will my leaves be picked up?

Will there be a Spring curbside leaf pickup?

General Questions

What are the phone numbers for the Offices of Mason County?

What is the phone number for the Secretary of State?

What are the phone numbers for the local parks?

What is the phone number for the Post Office?

What is the phone number for the Social Security Office?

Where do I obtain a burning permit?

Where do I obtain information about voting?

Who is my City Council ward representative?

Where do I vote?

Boating Questions

Where are boat launch facilities located?

What are the launch parking fees?

Where can I park a boat trailer if I am leaving for a few days?

Utility Maintenance

What do I do if I am experiencing a sewer backup?

Elections

How can I found out if I am registered to vote?

If I move to a new address between addresses, am I still registered to vote?

If I didn't vote in the last election, am I still eligible to vote?